Jermaine Dupri
Encyclopedia
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.
(Chris Kelly and Chris Smith) after meeting the boys at a local mall in 1991. The group's first album, Totally Krossed Out
, was released in 1992 and went multi-platinum due to their singles "Jump" and "It's a Shame". He established his own record label called So So Def Recordings
in 1993. Shortly after he discovered female R&B group Xscape
at a festival in Atlanta and signed them to the newly minted label. Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
and went platinum. During the same year, on Yo! MTV Raps
he met Chicago rapper Shawntae Harris, A.K.A Da Brat
through Kris Kross, signed her to his label So So Def Recordings, and released her debut Funkdafied
(1994) which went Platinum. His finances were not hindered by a distribution deal made with Columbia Records in 1993.
In 1998, Jermaine Dupri surpassed all of his prior commercial ventures with his involvement in the release of Destiny's Child
's eponymous debut album
. Dupri renewed the focus on his own music career and released The Party Continues, the lead single from his debut studio album Jermaine Dupri Presents Life In 1472: The Original Soundtrack. Also that year he met Lil Bow Wow and signed him to So So Def Recordings
. The two would later part ways but continued to collaborate on later projects. The deal with Columbia was terminated in 2002, and in 2003 Dupri switched to Arista Records
. Jermaine worked on Mariah Carey
's Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You
, as well as with Weezer
and Lil Wayne
on the song "Can't Stop Partying." He also collaborated with DJ Chuckie to make a vocal version of the song Let The Bass Kick.
He contributed to most of Mariah Carey's albums, including her career comeback album, 2005's The Emancipation Of Mimi
with the smash hit "We Belong Together
", which stayed at number one for fourteen non-consecutive weeks, becoming the second longest running number one song in US chart history, behind Carey's 1996 collaboration with Boyz II Men on "One Sweet Day
". He has also been a big contribution to R&B Pop singer Usher's career, producing most of his top hits on his albums My Way
and 8701.
He dated R&B/Pop Singer, Janet Jackson
on-and-off, from August 2001 to March 2009.
Early life and career
Before continuing his artistic career, Dupri opened a small store, "Rap Corna Guuds". He later formed the teen duo Kris KrossKris Kross
Kris Kross was an American rap duo of the 1990s comprising Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith. The duo are best known for their hit 1992 song "Jump", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and was certified double platinum as a single...
(Chris Kelly and Chris Smith) after meeting the boys at a local mall in 1991. The group's first album, Totally Krossed Out
Totally Krossed Out
Totally Krossed Out is the debut album by rap duo, Kris Kross. The album was released on March 31, 1992 for Ruffhouse Records and was produced by Jermaine Dupri...
, was released in 1992 and went multi-platinum due to their singles "Jump" and "It's a Shame". He established his own record label called So So Def Recordings
So So Def Recordings
So So Def Recordings is a record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, and owned by producer Jermaine Dupri, specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B and bass music.-Beginnings:...
in 1993. Shortly after he discovered female R&B group Xscape
Xscape (band)
Xscape, was a female American R&B group that originally started out as a quintet and then became a quartet. The group had a string of hit songs during the 1990s...
at a festival in Atlanta and signed them to the newly minted label. Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha is the debut studio album by American singer group Xscape. After signing a contract with Jermaine Dupri So So Def Recordings, the album was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 1993 in North America....
and went platinum. During the same year, on Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
he met Chicago rapper Shawntae Harris, A.K.A Da Brat
Da Brat
Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:...
through Kris Kross, signed her to his label So So Def Recordings, and released her debut Funkdafied
Funkdafied
Funkdafied is the debut album by female rapper Da Brat. It was released in 1994 and sold over one million copies, making her the first solo female rapper to go platinum...
(1994) which went Platinum. His finances were not hindered by a distribution deal made with Columbia Records in 1993.
In 1998, Jermaine Dupri surpassed all of his prior commercial ventures with his involvement in the release of Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
's eponymous debut album
Destiny's Child (album)
Destiny's Child is the self-titled debut album of R&B group Destiny's Child, released by Columbia Records in 1998. It featured the singles "No, No, No" and "With Me" and won Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, but due to both singles having a remix as well as...
. Dupri renewed the focus on his own music career and released The Party Continues, the lead single from his debut studio album Jermaine Dupri Presents Life In 1472: The Original Soundtrack. Also that year he met Lil Bow Wow and signed him to So So Def Recordings
So So Def Recordings
So So Def Recordings is a record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, and owned by producer Jermaine Dupri, specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B and bass music.-Beginnings:...
. The two would later part ways but continued to collaborate on later projects. The deal with Columbia was terminated in 2002, and in 2003 Dupri switched to Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
. Jermaine worked on Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You
Merry Christmas II You
Merry Christmas II You is the thirteenth studio album and second Christmas album by American singer Mariah Carey. The album was released on November 2, 2010 and features four original songs, all-time Christmas classics and a re-recorded version of her 1994 Christmas hit "All I Want for Christmas Is...
, as well as with Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
on the song "Can't Stop Partying." He also collaborated with DJ Chuckie to make a vocal version of the song Let The Bass Kick.
He contributed to most of Mariah Carey's albums, including her career comeback album, 2005's The Emancipation Of Mimi
The Emancipation of Mimi
The Emancipation of Mimi is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Mariah Carey, released in the United States on April 12, 2005, by Island Records. Following the relatively poor critical and commercial responses to her albums, Glitter and Charmbracelet , The Emancipation of Mimi...
with the smash hit "We Belong Together
We Belong Together
"We Belong Together" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi . The song was released on March 29, 2005, through Island Records as the second single from the album. "We Belong Together" was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel...
", which stayed at number one for fourteen non-consecutive weeks, becoming the second longest running number one song in US chart history, behind Carey's 1996 collaboration with Boyz II Men on "One Sweet Day
One Sweet Day
"One Sweet Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and R&B group Boyz II Men. The song was written by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and the members of Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, and Michael McCary. "One Sweet Day" was produced by Carey and Afanasieff for...
". He has also been a big contribution to R&B Pop singer Usher's career, producing most of his top hits on his albums My Way
My Way (Usher album)
Sample credits* "Come Back" contains a sample of "Funky" by the Ultramagnetic MCs.* "One Day You'll Be Mine" contains a sample of "Footsteps in the Dark" by The Isley Brothers.-Personnel:Credits for My Way adapted from Allmusic....
and 8701.
Personal life
Dupri has one child, a daughter, named Shaniah Mauldin (b.1998), with ex-girlfriend, Pam Sweat.He dated R&B/Pop Singer, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
on-and-off, from August 2001 to March 2009.
Discography
- Life in 1472Life in 1472Life in 1472 is the debut studio album by American producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri, released by So So Def Recordings in the United States on July 21, 1998 . 1472 refers to the year of Dupri's birth, 1972. It produced the singles "Money Ain't a Thang" , "Sweetheart" , "The Party Continues" , and...
(1998) - InstructionsInstructions (album)Instructions is the second studio album by American producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri, released by So So Def in 2001. The album reached #15 on the Billboard charts on November 17, 2001.-Track listing:# "LP " – 0:25...
(2001)