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.

Former Atlantic Records and Warner/Chappell executive, Chris Hicks, has been appointed Executive Vice President at Def Jam, taking over the vacant position that became available following the death of Shakir Stewart in November of last year.

Hicks joined the Warner/Chappell staff as Vice President, Urban A&R in 2004, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Atlantic Records and Senior Vice President, A&R and Head of Urban Music for Warner/Chappell Music in April 2007.

Hicks founded the publishing company, Noontime, in 1997, where he identified and developed numerous artists, including writers Brian Michael Cox, Jazze Pha, Dave Young and Teddy Bishop. At Warner/Chappell, he was an important figure in striking publishing agreements with T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Yung Joc, LeToya, Eric Hudson and Lloyd, in addition to helping re-sign Timbaland and Dr. Dre.

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.

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.