Jermaine Dupri Maulidin (born September 23, 1972), better known by his stage name
Jermaine Dupri or
J.D., is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record producerIn the music industry, a record producer has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes...
, rapper and Grammy winning
songwriterA songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well as the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer.-History and background of songwriters:...
.
Music industry
Dupri discovered the child rap duo
Kris KrossKris Kross was an American teenage rap duo of the early 1990s comprised of Chris "Mack Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mack" Smith. The duo is best known for their 1992 hit "Jump", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and was certified double platinum as a single...
in 1991 at a mall in
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the state of Georgia, as well as the urban core of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States....
. Dupri worked on various other
Mariah CareyMariah Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
songs including
Always Be My Baby"Always Be My Baby" is a pop/R&B song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, producer/rapper Jermaine Dupri, and songwriter Manuel Seal. Released in 1996 as the third single in the U.S. from Carey's fourth studio album Daydream , the song reached number 1 on the U.S...
in 1996. So So Def, a label specializing in Southern hip hop, Contemporary Soul, and R&B music, was originally distributed through
Arista RecordsArista Records is an American record label. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operates under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
and
Sony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America.-History:...
. He appeared on a special "Hip Hop Stars" edition of
The Weakest Link, being the first one voted off. JD became involved in a dispute against
EminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , known by his primary stage name Eminem, or by his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album...
and
Dr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, and actor...
in 2002. This beef is mainly between Dr Dre and Jermaine Dupri, but Eminem has stuck up for Dre, and along with
XzibitAlvin Nathaniel Joiner better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television personality. He is also known for hosting MTV's Pimp My Ride and the Yo Dawg Internet meme...
, joined the beef against Jermaine Dupri. It started when Jermaine Dupri claimed that he was the best producer in the game, better than Dre and
TimbalandTimothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American Grammy Award-winning record producer, singer and rapper. Timbaland has produced albums and singles for a number of artists from the mid-1990s to the present day..Timbaland's first full credit production work was in...
during an interview with XXL magazine. Dre retaliated in Eminem's song, "Say What You Say", saying: "Been here longer than anyone in the game And I ain't got to lie about my age (But what about Jermaine?) F**k Jermaine! He don't belong speakin mine or Timbaland's name And don't think, I don't read your lil' interviews, and see what you're sayin I'm a giant, and I ain't gotta move 'til I'm provoked When I see you I'ma step on you and not even know it You midget, Mini-Me with a bunch of little Mini-Yous runnin around your backyard swimmin pools Over 80 million records sold And I ain't have to do it with ten or eleven-year-olds." At the end of the song, Timbaland can be heard saying "Yo, this's Timbaland. Tell him I said 'suck
my dick'" and Eminem follows it up with collaboration diss songs with xzibit such as "My name" and "Grindin" in xzibit's
RestlessRestless may refer to:*Restlessness, emotional state of agitation or excitementMusic*Restless *Restless *Restless *Restless *Restless...
album. Eminem also made reference to Dupri in his unreleased song "Canibitch." In it he and Dr. Dre run over Dupri on their way to confront rapper Canibus, and Dre stomps JD presumably to death at the end of the track. In 2003, Dupri was appointed president of
AristaArista Records is an American record label. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operates under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
Black Music and moved So So Def and its artists there. In 2004, Dupri was appointed President of Urban Music at
Virgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. It was later sold to Thorn EMI, and then, in the US, merged with Capitol Records in 2007 to create the Capitol Music Group....
and moved So So Def over to Virgin. Meanwhile, Dupri also expanded his business ventures, buying into Chicago-based distillery 3 Vodka and opening his own boutique restaurant,
Cafe Dupri. In 2004 and 2005, Dupri worked with R&B singers Usher and
Mariah CareyMariah Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
on their releases,
Confessions and
The Emancipation of MimiThe Emancipation of Mimi is the tenth studio album by American singer Mariah Carey. It was released by Island Records on April 4, 2005, and in North America on April 12, 2005. The album focuses on several R&B-related genres, ranging from 1970s retro soul to quiet storm, gospel, and others...
. He also produced the songs "
Burn"Burn" is a song by American R&B singer Usher, which he wrote with American songwriters Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox. The song was produced by Dupri and Cox for Usher's fourth studio album, Confessions...
", "Confessions, Pt. 2" and the remix featuring
Kanye WestKanye West is an American singer/rapper. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, and his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008. His first three albums have received numerous awards and critical acclaim...
,
ShyneMoses Michael Leviy , better known as Shyne, is a Belizean born rapper.-Background:Shyne was born in Belize City, Belize, the son of Imeon Myvette and Dean Barrow, the current Prime Minister of Belize. Shyne has denied acknowledging him as his father, due to his father publicly stating that Shyne...
, and
TwistaCarl Terrell Mitchell, better known by his stage name Twista , is an American rapper who once held the title of fastest emcee in the world, according to the Guinness World Records in 1992, being able to pronounce 11.2 syllables per second. His 2004 album Kamikaze went to number-one on the U.S...
, and "
My Boo"My Boo" is a duet between American R&B singer Usher and Alicia Keys, written by Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Jr., Adonis Shropshire, Keys, and Usher. Set over a hip hop-style track, the song was produced by Dupri. It was included on the re-release of Usher's fourth studio album, Confessions...
" with Usher and "
It's like That"It's Like That" is a song written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri, and Seal for Carey's tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi . It borrows the hook "it's like that y'all" from the Run-D.M.C...
", "
We Belong Together"We Belong Together" is a song recorded by Mariah Carey for her tenth studio album The Emancipation of Mimi and released as the album's second single in 2005. Written and produced by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johntá Austin, the song was inspired by 1980s R&B and soul...
", "
Shake It Off"Shake It Off" is a song co-written by American singer Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Johntá Austin, and recorded for Carey's tenth album, The Emancipation of Mimi . It was co-produced by Carey, Dupri and Cox...
", "
Get Your Number"Get Your Number" is a song co-written by American singer Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, and recorded by Carey for her fourteenth album The Emancipation of Mimi...
", and "
Don't Forget About Us"Don't Forget About Us" is a song co-written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, and recorded by Carey for the re-release of her tenth studio album The Emancipation of Mimi . It was co-produced by Carey, Dupri and Austin and released as the album's fifth single in...
" with Carey. He produced the track "Radio" for young R&B singer Jarvis, but didn't release the album because his label was in transition with the distributor. He has also produced singles with J-Kwon ("
Tipsy"Tipsy" is a hit 2004 rap song by J-Kwon. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, being held off the top spot by Usher's "Yeah!", and number four on the UK Singles Chart...
") and Dem Franchize Boyz. In addition he has worked with St. Louis rappers, Nelly, Chingy, & St. Lunatics. Dupri's 2005 single, "
Gotta GetchaGotta Getcha is a single by the American musician Jermaine Dupri, released in 2005.- Chart positions :...
" featuring
Johntá AustinJohntá Austin is an up and coming artist on Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings.Austin grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1989, at the age of eight, Austin hosted the daily television show, Kid's Beat on CNN...
, is featured on the July 2005 release
Young, Fly & Flashy, Vol. 1Young Fly and Flashy Vol. 1 is the first of two compilation albums by Jermaine Dupri. The album peaked at number twelve on Billboard magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 43 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:...
. The album is a compilation of tracks produced by and featuring Dupri. So far, "Gotta Getcha" has peaked at #60 on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday; while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The controversial music video for the song features his girlfriend, singer
Janet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Encino, Los Angeles, California, she is the youngest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
, in an x-rated peep show club. On August 9, 2006, Dupri was listed among the top ten richest people in hip hop. He continues to work with artists including Jay-Z ("Money Ain't a Thang"), Ludacris ("Welcome to Atlanta"), and Warren G ("Havin' Thangs"). He has released
Daz DillingerDelmar Drew Arnaud , better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records...
's album,
So So GangstaSo So Gangsta is the 8th official solo album by Daz Dillinger that was released under So So Def Recordings and Virgin Records on September 12, 2006. Guest appearances by Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly, Kurupt, Rick Ross, Jagged Edge, Johnta Austin, & Avery Storm. The album debuted at number 35 on...
, in 2006. It includes production by Dupri, Scott Storch, and Daz. Dupri also worked with Jackson on her album titled
20 Y.O.20 Y.O. is the ninth studio album by American R&B-pop singer Janet Jackson, released by Virgin Records on September 20, 2006 in Japan, September 22 internationally, and September 26 in Canada and the United States...
, released September 26, 2006, which was not as successful as much as Jackson's previous albums. The album's commercial underperformance led Dupri, who accused Virgin of improperly handling its urban releases, to leave his position at Virgin Urban Music. He became the head of
Island RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in England for many years, but is now owned by Universal Music Group and is operated in the United States through The Island Def Jam Music Group and in the UK through Island Records Group...
' urban division instead; So So Def releases are now issued through Island Urban Music. Janet Jackson followed Dupri from Virgin to Island as well. As of March 2008, his So So Def/Island Urban roster includes himself, Jagged Edge, Johntá Austin, and
RockoRodney Hill, Jr. is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He is signed to So So Def/Island Urban through his own Rocky Road Records imprint. His debut album, Self-Made, was released on March 18, 2008. The album sold nearly 28,000 copies in its first week of release.Rocko is the fiance of R&B...
. He left Island Def Jam early 2009. He stated the reason for leaving as. "They [were] basically out for themselves. I never was on a team like that. I was always on a team that was supportive of what I wanted to do and this time it was more like 'we need you to do this.' People know me to create new artists [and to] continuously come with new people. Once I realized I was basically on my own in that building, I said 'it's time for me to get out of here.' I saw the decline of Def Jam and I was just like 'I don't want to be a part of a sinking ship."
Singer
MonicaMonica Denise Arnold , professionally known as Monica, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Arnold was a member of Charles Thompson and the Majestics, a traveling 12-piece gospel choir prior to signing a solo recording contract with...
's album,
The Makings of MeThe Makings of Me is the fifth studio album by American singer Monica, released by J Records on October 3, 2006 in the United States and October 10, 2006 in Canada...
, features production from Jermaine Dupri with the lead single "
Everytime tha Beat Drop"Everytime tha Beat Drop" is a song by American R&B singer Monica. It was written and composed by Johnta Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Robert Hill, Charles Hammond, Deangelo Hunt, James Phillips, and Dem Franchize Boyz and co-produced by Dupri and LRoc for Monica's fifth studio album, The Makings of Me...
". He has also produced multiple tracks on
Jay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name, Jay-Z is an American hip hop artist and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $150 million, shipping over 30 million copies of his albums in the United...
's concept album
American GangsterAmerican Gangster is the tenth studio album by American hip hop rapper Jay-Z, released November 6, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States. American Gangster is Jay-Z's first concept album, which was inspired by the film of the same name. The album features production from Diddy & The...
. On October 16, 2007,
The Making of a Music Mogul, an autobiography that charts his career as a producer was released. The book was co-written with Samantha Marshall and released in hardcover by Simon & Schuster's Atria imprint. The
New York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
reported on February 28, 2008 that Dupri proposed to Janet Jackson, and that the couple are busy planning their wedding as well as recording a handful of songs for her new album
DisciplineDiscipline is the tenth studio album by American R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson, which was released on February 22, 2008. It was her only album released for Island Records , after her five-album deal with Virgin Records was fulfilled with the release of 20 Y.O. Jackson worked with producers such...
. He was featured on
NellyCornell Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is a rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly made his solo debut in 2000 with Country Grammar, the title track of...
's "
Stepped On My J'z"Stepped on My J'z" is a song by American rapper Nelly, featuring American singer Ciara and rapper Jermaine Dupri. It is recorded for Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Jermaine Dupri, and was released as the second single from the album, but the music video was...
", which features himself and
CiaraCiara Princess Harris , who performs under the mononym Ciara , is an American recording artist, producer, dancer, fashion model, and actress. Born in Austin, Texas, Ciara made her debut in the summer of 2004 with the Billboard number-one single "Goodies"...
. The single's video debuted on June 11, 2008 on
Access GrantedAccess Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
. He also produced
AshantiAshanti, or Asante, are a major ethnic group of Ashanti Region in Ghana.They are part of the larger Akan Ethnic group. The Ashanti speak Twi, an Akan language similar to Fante.For the Ashanti Empire see Asanteman....
's up-tempo single, "
Good Good"Good Good" is the fourth and final single from Ashanti's album The Declaration.-Song Information:The accompanying video featured a cameo by Nelly. It premiered on July 17, 2008 on Yahoo!. . The song contains samples of "Bennie And The Jets" and "The Girl is Mine" .-Critical Reception:Many album...
", which had heavy rotation on
BETBet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test *Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac...
&
MTVMTV is a cable television network based in New York City and launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs...
. More recently, he has been involved with a hip-hop/R&B
supergroupIn the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups." Supergroups tend to be short-lived, often lasting only for an album or two...
, Oceans 7. He has also co-written two songs on
WeezerWeezer is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1992. Initially, the band consisted of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Matt Sharp , and Jason Cropper . Cropper was later replaced by Brian Bell...
's upcoming album,
RaditudeRaditude is the forthcoming seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, due for release on November 3, 2009, although the original release date was October 27, 2009...
. US Weekly has reported that Jermaine has split from long time girlfriend,
Janet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Encino, Los Angeles, California, she is the youngest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
, after seven years.
Discography
External links