According to Billboard.biz, Sony Music Entertainment began cutting staff yesterday (January 15th), which included Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua, President of Urban Music at Columbia Records, as well as urban marketing executive Al Branch.

With Joshua’s Columbia departure, it is unclear who will head the label’s urban department, or who will handle the up-coming projects of Jim Jones (”Pray for Reign”) and the Clipse; both are acts signed by Joshua.

Following his post as Senior Vice President of Urban A&R at Atlantic Records in 2006, Joshua was recruited to Columbia by label head Rick Rubin, beginning his tenure at the label in July 2007.

Joshua got his start in the music industry working as an A&R at Roc-A-Fella Records, where he worked on the projects of Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Kanye West and Freeway. He is also the co-founder of HipHopSince1978, where he manages recording artists Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and producer Just Blaze, with his partner Gee Roberson.

Branch also worked with Roc-A-Fella Records and HipHopSince1978.

According to published reports on Allhiphop.com, Koch Records has appointed Jim Jones as Vice President of Urban A&R. His duties will include signing and developing new artists in the urban division of Koch Records.

Prior to signing with major label Columbia Records in 2007, Jim Jones got his start as an artist under the Koch umbrella, releasing three solo albums: “On My Way to Church,” “Harlem: Diary of a Summer,” and Hustler’s P.O.M.E.

Speaking on the acquisition of Jim Jones, General Manager of Koch Records, Alan Grunblatt said: “He truly knows what it takes to make a hit record. I am thrilled to be working with him for many years to come.”

The debut album from Juelz Santana’s new group, Skull Gang, is the first project for Jim Jones in his new position. The record is scheduled to hit stores February 24th.