According to Black Talent News.com, Jermaine Dupri has been added to the lineup of speakers as part of ASCAP’s “The Hitmakers” panel, which the performing rights organization is conducting in conjunction with the 51st Grammy Awards.

“The Hitmakers” panel is an ongoing series of professional development programs that focus on the music creation process. 

It has been confirmed by various media outlets that Jermaine Dupri has exited his executive position as the president of Urban Music at Island Records, subsidiary label of Island Def Jam. 

The Atlanta producer was appointed the Island Def Jam position back in February 2007, just after stepping down from his position as president of Urban Music at Virgin Records in October 2006.

In his role at Island Records, Dupri oversaw the label’s urban music operations and reported directly to label chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Steve Bartels, president of Island Music and COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

During Dupri’s tenure at Island Records, he oversaw the releases of Jagged Edge’s “Baby Makin’ Project,” and his girlfriend, Janet Jackson’s “Discipline,” considered a commercial disappointment by selling only 428,000 copies. Jackson left Island Records in September 2008.

Another venture Dupri managed at the label was Tag Records, a partnership between Island Def Jam and Procter and Gamble’s TAG brand. Formed in April 2008, the project intended to create a new marketing module that allowed for new talent, like So So Def/Tag artist Q, to be cross-promoted with TAG Body sprays through print, television, radio and digital advertising.

At the present time there is no word of how Dupri’s departure will affect the So So Def/Tag partnership.