As previously reported, Def Jam Recordings and label Chairman, L.A. Reid, have formally announced the appointment of Christopher Hicks as the Executive Vice President of the legendary label.

In Hicks’ new position, he will assume responsibility for the acquisition and development of new talent, overseeing producers and guiding the Def Jam brand. Mr. Hicks will report directly to L.A. Reid and Steve Bartels, President and COO of Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. He will be based in Atlanta and New York.

“Chris has a musician’s ear for talent and hit songs that has brought him huge long-term success in the industry,” said Mr. Reid. “His track record in Atlanta has resulted in breaking some of the biggest names in urban and hip-hop out of that city over the past decade. We look forward to the next quarter-century of history with Def Jam as we welcome Chris aboard.”

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.