By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
It doesn't look like Mariah Carey will be the only diva standing much longer.
Pop music rival Janet Jackson appears to be making inroads to Island Def Jam Records.
During a recent interview with MTV, the 'Control' singer's lover Jermaine Dupri -- who is also the newly crowned President of the label -- let the cat out of the bag.
"Definitely Janet will end up at Island," he predicted. "That's without a doubt. [Antonio] L.A. [Reid] always wanted to sign her regardless [of whether] I was there or not."
Whoa nelly.
With the crafstmanship of an old-school expert, Reid lays claim on the biggest music comeback of the new millennium -- Carey's best-selling opus 'The Emancipation of Mimi.'
A bona fide hitmaker, the Ohio native also helped make international stars out of Toni Braxton, Pink, OutKast, TLC and Usher -- via he and Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds' LaFace Records empire.
"I don't know where that deal is - I left that in the hands of L.A. and Janet's people - but more than likely, he'll get what he wants," Dupri added.
Never fully recovering from the whole 'SuperBowl' "Nipplegate" controversy of 2003, Jackson's musical pursuits seemed to be in limbo when her longtime label Virgin Records stopped promoting her latest album'20 Y.O.'-- just two months after its release.
The Dupri-helmed set is believed to be her last contractual obligation for the recently dismantled operation.
The hip-hop super-producer -- who ironically produced the lion's share of 'Mimi' -- abruptly exited his executive position at the storied label in the aftermath of Jackson's failed project.
Now, at Island Def Jam, he gets to work with her on a new priority: the soundtrack for 'Rush Hour 3,' which she will have a song featured.
A Def Jam spokesperson admitted to not knowing anything about a Jackson signing.
A query to the former Virgin Records went unanswered by press time.
Comments: (18)
Add a comment
By: Justin Case on 5/11/2007 10:11AM
Good for Velvie! I actually thought she would wind up at Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: JOshua on 5/13/2007 5:01PM
I like Janet but I can't stand that dog Mariah, the woman is evil.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous on 5/15/2007 3:10PM
Well as long as Dupri refrains from producing Jackson she'll probably have many continued years of success. Calling Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis seems like a logical first step to regaining some marketable success. Jackson is a zillion times more talented than the overexposed Beyonce's, Britney's and the opportunistic Madonna's of the world. Where's Michael? Hopefully he'll come out of hiding soon, because Justin needs some new moves. Justin is soooooo dayum tired.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: William R. Hunt on 5/14/2007 10:56AM
I am a big fan of Miss. Jackson and I would like to say congrats, first of all, and second I am so glad that she has moved on to better places, because I never thought Virgin Records was fair in not promoting her and her new album. But now I can rest easy knowing she is in good hands with her man at the the helm. Good Luck! Janet.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: NUMBER ONE STAN! on 5/14/2007 12:17PM
I HOPE JANET DOES A GOOD JOB THIS TIME ,PLEASE DONT LET DUPRI PRODUCE ANY MORE SONGS FOR YOU, JUST BECAUSE HE"S YOUR MAN DONT MEAN HE HAS TO MAKE YOUR CAREER GO TO SHIT.PLEASE GET BACK UP WITH JIMMY JAM AND TERRY LEWIS. THAT WAS THE "DREAM TEAM" FOR YOU PLEASE COME BACK AND SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT SISTER GIRL,COME PUT THEM IN THERE PLACES.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lidu_Roc on 5/15/2007 10:08PM
Like Number One Stan said, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have helped you be the Janet that me other pop sisters say I want to be like you. As far as J.D. is concerned, you saw what happened to J-Lo & Ben and Anniston & Vaughn and even Moore and Lattimore. Business and pleasure just don't work.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: meme on 5/14/2007 3:08PM
u go girl i love u miss jackson show these lil hoes that u r still # 1 lol
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: melabbo on 5/14/2007 3:32PM
To number 2 up there, how DARE you say that shit about Mariah? What is wrong with you, she is NOT evil! As a fan, I have met Mariah and she is a wonderful person. It is unreal to me when people hate on a star because of who she is or what she can do. Pathetic.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Roni on 5/14/2007 4:19PM
I am a lesbian and I tell my women that if I ever ever ever had the chance "Janet Just for one night". I love her and I really hope this move proves to be a good one for her. I know she can out perform all the fake ones that are out know. Especially that piece of garbage that is always in the news with Jay-Z. I won't even put her name on this comment about Janet. But I just put Janet's name on my comment about her. Good luck Janet.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jeff on 5/14/2007 5:29PM
I think Janet is one of the All-Time GreatestEntertainer of the Year, and believe that as long as Jermain doesn't produce her next gig, then she'll be on top again. Janet baby girl, you need to put your music in the hands of LA Reid and Jimmy Jam, but your body(since you so in love) in the hands of JD. That's all I gotta say!!
Jeff
Reply to this Comment | Report This