On July 7, Michael Jackson's family gathered to celebrate him at his much-watched memorial service.

Noticeably absent?

Janet Jackson's longtime music-exec boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri. (A pal says Dupri skipped the memorial because he "doesn't attend funerals.")

And for good reason. "His friends are telling people it's over," a source tells the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

Echoes another: "They have been moving in different directions for a while."

So what drove Jackson, 43, and Dupri, 36, apart after nearly seven years?

"You shouldn't mix business with pleasure," a mutual pal explains. (Dupri produced several tracks on her last two CDs.) "Janet felt their lives were too crossed and they should have kept things sepa rate."

Plus, the polar opposites were never too compatible.

"Jermaine likes to be out there, mingling with everybody, and Janet's more shy." (And secretive: She kept her nine-year marriage to Rene Elizondo hidden until their 2000 ­divorce.)

Meanwhile, Jackson is still deeply mourning the death of her big brother.

"She's devastated," an insider says. "She's busy caring for Michael's kids. Janet's the family's backbone."

See photos of Jackson and his kids through the years.

Jackson's rep couldn't be reached.

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

 

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

Word has it Jermaine Dupri has been laid off from his position as Head of Urban over at Island Def Jam:

AllHipHop.com has received an exclusive report that Atlanta-based producer Jermaine Dupri’s tenure as President of Island Records Urban Music has come to an end. A formal announcement of his departure from the position, which he has held for nearly two years, may come as early as this week. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective immediately. {Source}

Yes it's bad news for JD on the surface, but I'm sure his hitmaker status ensures his pockets are lined up nicely. Saying that, with him only serving 2 years on the job, having moved (been laid off) from the same position over at Virgin, it doesn't particularly bode well for JD - who, arguably, didn't make much of a (lasting) impression.

Randomness: Did anyone else see this coming a while back anyway; I mean, with girlfriend Janet leaving the label and Mariah's project (which he oversaw) under-performing?

Your thoughts?

Labels: Jermaine Dupri

Despite the mounting rumors regarding Janet Jackson being pregnant, the Pop superstar and hit-maker boyfriend have gone on record to rubbish the claims. Check out the report via TMZ:

Everyone's still wondering why Janet Jackson bailed on most of her "comeback" tour –- the one guy who would probably know says it's not because she was pregnant.

Jermaine Dupri tells Hollyscoop.com his woman isn't knocked up, despite the scuttlebutt. Dupri even called out certain members of gossiping classes for spreading false rumors.

Nonetheless, Janet hasn't totally pooh-poohed the idea of bringing more spawn of Jacko into the world: "I'd love to have children. It's just up to Jermaine, what he wants to do."

I keep saying this, but Janet, Mariah and co are no spring chickens. Granted they can't just pop babies out at the push of a button, it baffles me when they speak like they are 21 on the baby front. Time doesn't wait for anyone...

Your thoughts?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

In Jermaine Dupri's latest Youtube video blog (from his 'Living The Life series), lover Janet Jackson took a moment to thank her fans for their support during her period of illness - which forced her to postpone 9 stops on her Rock Witchu tour.

Jackson also took a moment to quash the rumors about her supposedly dumping him, after he supposedly vomited on her lap.

Good to see all is well with them.

*Tidbit: I will be giving you guys on our 'That Grape Juice Wants To Rock Witchu' contest later today*

Your thoughts?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

LOL...both Janet and Jermaine had me rolling. I must say, interesting choice for opening act.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

Our friends over at SOHH are reporting that Jermaine Dupri's tenure as Head Of Def Jam Urban Division may be over already. Peep their report below:

After several failed projects, which includes Janet Jackson’s Discipline, Mariah Carey’s E=MC2 and Johnta Austin's permanently shelved project it looks like the powers that be have had enough and JD’s time as head of Island Records' urban division has come to an end.

I am being told that JD’s termination papers were being drafted this afternoon.

Ouch.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Jermaine Dupri

Funny stuff.

Randomness, I know, but isn't it time for Jermaine to pop the question already? Just a thought...

Your thoughts?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

After more than 7 years of dating, Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri have publicly expressed their desire to start a family together in the very near future. Check out what JD had to say in the matter when spotted at Nelly's dinner party this past week end in West Hollywood:

“Yeah, soon. Right after the tour.’ Jackson recently announced she’ll be on the road this fall. The 42-year-old pop icon, who has been married and divorced twice, once quipped that she was ‘allergic to marriage.’ Dupri is reportedly so excited to procreate with Jackson, he doesn’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. ‘It really doesn’t matter, Janet would be a great mom. She was around so many brothers and sisters all her life, so she’s got to know what that is [like]. And her mom is a great mother.”{Source 1} {Source 2}

I'm assuming I speak for most when I say: 'It's about time already!' LOL. On a side note, it's doubtful, in view of this, that we'll be hearing any new Janet material for a while...

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

Check out these pics of Nelly on the set of the video for his upcoming single 'Stepped On My Jays, which was filmed last month. The song's producer as well as feature artist Ciara also appear in the vid - which should be premiering anytime from now.

What do you think of the pics?

Labels: Ciara, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly

Hit-maker Jermaine Dupri posted this new video of him working with superstar Mariah Carey at the singer's in-house studio. Listen out around the middle for a very small snippet of a new track from Mariah's 'That Chick' album rumored to be 'Thanks For Nothing.' Stephen Hill, the Senior VP of Music Programming and Talent at BET and Rachel McIntosh, Mariah's choreographer (lol lol lol) also make an appearance in the vid. Tidbit: Is it me or was Mariah's obsession with 'the right lighting' kinda annoying?

Your thoughts?

Labels: Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey

Hit-maker and Janet Jackson's boyfriend Jermaine Dupri breaks his silence on Justin Timberlake in his autobiography 'Young, Rich and Dangerous'. Check out what he had to say about the 'SexyBack' singer:

“I think Justin Timberlake is a talented performer. But he’s very ordinary-looking. He could be any skinny white kid from the suburbs of Orlando. You could go to the mall and find another Justin. He doesn’t make his style interesting even when he’s onstage. To me, he just doesn’t look like a star.”
{Source}

Labels: Jermaine Dupri

{Click pics to enlarge}

Labels: Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, T.I

A host of stars came out to celebrate with Jermaine Dupri at the opening of his new nightclub, Studio 72, in Atlanta last night. Celebs in attendance included Usher and wife Tameka Foster, Nelly, Monica and T-Boz. As expected Dupri's girlfriend, Janet Jackson (who was looking on-point), accompanied the hit-maker to the event.

Labels: Jermaine Dupri

Labels: Bow Wow, Jermaine Dupri

Singer Janet Jackson and boyfriend Jermaine Dupri celebrated their Independence Day in Miami. Judging from the pics, they seemed to have enjoyed themselves....blah lol. Interestingly, Janet seems to have put back on some of that weight she lost last year; continuing her trend of blowing up (literally) in between albums. Still, she looks beautiful. Check that third pic lol....J.Lo who?

What do you think of the pics?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri

Hit-maker Jermaine Dupri has told MTV News that his Pop superstar girlfriend Janet Jackson is in talks to join him over at Island Def Jam. Durpi, who was appointed President of Urban Music by label chief L.A Reid in February, had the following to say:

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri