Durpi was axed from a similar position at Virgin -- Jackson's previous label - after several high profile projects, including releases by Monica and Jackson herself, failed to live up to expectations.
He explained the move to Billboard.com today and noted that he won't be very hands on with it:
She's on Island, but it's more or less [Def Jam CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid's] project. I let him deal with that on a day-to-day basis. He's going to A&R that project, too. Janet's record is one that he's wanted to do for a long time. He's very passionate about it... I don't really know what he's got in mind at this point. His past record isn't shabby so I'm going to let him do what he's going to do.
This news brought to you by the phrase "well, duh."
