Jermaine Dupri taking over as Mariah Carey's manager

Superstar Mariah Carey has recruited her longtime collaborator and close friend Jermaine Dupri as her new manager following the departure of Randy Jackson earlier this year (13).

The Hero hitmaker worked under the guidance of producer Jackson for two years before parting ways with him in March (13), and now she has turned to Janet Jackson's ex-boyfriend, Dupri, to help her build on her outstanding career success.

Carey says, "We have a bond that surpasses music. I am super excited about our merger because we have so many innovative ideas that I know will come to fruition."

In a statement, Dupri adds: "A multi-talented artist of Mariah's caliber should be doing everything imaginable. I'm sure others have said this but not the way I intend to do it. For me, it's about the execution."

Carey and Dupri, who hit the studio together for her forthcoming album The Art of Letting Go, have already tasted huge success together over the years - they teamed up for her 1996 classic Always Be My Baby, in addition to tracks including We Belong Together and Don't Forget About Us.