Jermaine Dupri has just released a statement confirming his departure as President of Virgin Records' Urban Music branch.

JD threatened to quit due to lackluster sales of Janet Jackson's 20 Y.O. album. Though the album debuted in the Top 5 three weeks ago, sales of 20 Y.O. have fallen short in comparison to previous Jackson albums. The album has sold 416, 353 units to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight," JD via a statement. "I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave."

In addition to his Virgin duties, JD's So So Def imprint is distributed by the company. His roster includes Da Brat, Dem Franchize Boyz and Daz Dillinger, among others. Daz recently dropped his So So Gangsta album, only selling 51, 308 copies since its release on September 23rd.

There's still no word on whether So So Def will still be distributed by Virgin Records.

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Jacob the Jeweler, well known for providing hip-hop's biggest names with high-end custom jewelry, has asked a federal judge to move his money-laundering trial from Detroit to New York City.

As SOHH previously reported, Jacob (born Jacob Arabov) was arrested outside his flagship store in New York in June on a warrant issued in Detroit by federal authorities accusing him with conspiring with others to launder money through his jewelry business.

The infamous jeweler was among 16 people indicted by a Michigan District Attorney in May for violating federal drug laws and laundering an excess of $270 million.

Jacob is accused of accepting "dirty" money generated by Atlanta-based drug organization the Black Mafia Family (BMF) and giving them jewelry in return without reporting the transactions.

According to The Detroit Free Press, Jacob's request was made on Friday (October 20) via a motion filed by his lawyer Benjamin Brafman. In the motion, Brafman said it would be prejudicial to Jacob's case if he was tried alongside accused drug dealers and it will be too costly for the infamous jeweler to defend himself in Detroit.

Jacob also filed a sealed affidavit which Brafman said contained personal information about celebrity clients who would testify for him at trial.

The aforementioned indictment, which is part of a previous indictment alleging that the BMF distributed 476 kilos of cocaine throughout the US since the early '90s, also seeks criminal forfeiture of more than 30 pieces of jewelry, in addition to a number of residences and cars.

Jacob pleaded not guilty to the money laundering charges in a Detroit court in July and was released on $100,000 bond.
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icon LL Cool J is readying his 13th solo album on Def Jam and will have it executive produced by G-Unit boss 50 Cent.

The new album, which is tentatively titled Todd Smith Pt.2: Back To Cool and slated for a March 6th release, is said to be the rapper's last on the historic Def Jam label, the only recording home the Queens-bred rapper has ever known. LL and fellow Q-boro emcee 50 Cent have reportedly finished up a good portion of the songs for the album, which promises to be a new look for the veteran rapper.

In true hustler fashion, the rapper is pushing books these days as well. LL and his personal trainer Dave "Scooter" Honig are currently working on a book project entitled "LL Cool J's Platinum Body." The book will outline LL's secrets to dieting, work outs and overall ideology and is set to be released in January of 2007.

As previously reported by SOHH, LL is also slated to star in a new TV drama entitled "The Man". The show, which is currently in production, is being developed by "CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker andstars LL as an undercover L.A. cop who must balance his gritty job fighting crime while also raising the three troubled kids he's adopted. According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has already given the project pilot commitment from CBS Paramount Network TV.

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Houston bred rap duo UGK are currently gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated seventh studio album titled U.G.K. Underground Kingz.

Set for release this winter, U.G.K. Underground Kingz will be a double album featuring appearances from Rick Ross, Slim Thug, Sleepy Brown, Three Six Mafia, Willy D, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane, among others.

Production on the album is supplied by Pimp C, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, Swizz Beatz and Scarface. The album's first single will be the Jazze Pha produced "Stop & Go."

U.G.K. Underground Kingz will hit stores on December 19th via Jive Records.
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