News: Rupee... Album...and Rumours.

"Barbadian soca artiste Rupee has condemned rumours that he is no longer with Atlantic Records.

“I’ve heard of the rumours...It is not the case, and it is far from the case,” he said during a press conference at Marriott Hotel in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain, on Friday.

The artiste admitted, however, to being a bit disappointed with the company.

“I have to admit I did feel frustrated that I’ve been with the label so long and the album has not been released in the US.”

The album in debate is the singer’s debut Atlantic release 1 ON 1, which was released in Japan and the UK.

1 ON 1 features the hit single Tempted To Touch, which reigned at No 1 on Billboard’s dance chart for seven consecutive weeks.

The album has sold more than 100,000 copies to date in Japan.

Rupee said the album was doing better in Japan, but it was unfortunate that people based success of an album on the US market.

The Barbadian artiste said other artistes contracted to the label were also being affected, because the company was going through major changes.

He said Leo Colhen, previously of Def Jam Records, was the new president of the Warner Music Group, under which Atlantic fell.

Rupee said several people had been moved around in the organisation. Some were even laid off because Colhen brought in staff from Def Jam.

Craig Kallman, who actually signed the artiste to his five-album deal with Atlantic, was appointed chairman and CEO of the company.

Meanwhile, Rupee said he was not producing a section in Island People Mas.

He said there were initial talks between the mas entity and himself, but nothing materialised because he didn’t have the time to do it.

Rupee said, however, Barbadian band, Baje International, with which he is involved, would produce a section with IslandPeople Mas for C2K6."