5 questions for: Jermaine Dupri

He's the baby-boy mogul of urban music who began performing at age 12. When he was 14, Jermaine Dupri was producing other groups and by the time he was 19, he had channeled his early genius into So So Def Recordings, a label that produced Kriss Kross, Bow Wow and Da Brat. This year Dupri added a new title to an already tight musical resume--president of Urban Music at Virgin Records. Today the 33-year-old Atlanta resident can see his songwriter/producer/artist handiwork at the top of R&B and hip-hop music charts. And he's the constant companion of pop superstar Janet Jackson. Just how good is it to be JD? EBONY went straight to the source.

1. In an eight-week time period, you've had four songs on the pop and R&B charts simultaneously, which makes you the first artist to accomplish this since the Beatles. How were you able to achieve this?

I don't really think about it; I just work hard every day so when the chart success happened, I was as shocked as everybody else.

2. What was it like to work with Mariah Carey and Bow Wow, and how did those partnerships come about? Also, which aspect of your career (producer/ songwriter/artist) most reflects the heart and soul of Jermaine Dupri?

It's great working with Mariah; she's my girl. We've been friends since 1994, and we've been working together ever since. Bow Wow is like my son. I gave him his sound, so when I was gone, they didn't hear that sound. And now that we're back together, they hear what they like ... The production is the heart and soul of me because that's where I really let go, and only the artist and I are able to see that part.

3. Just who is Jermaine Dupri? How would you describe yourself? What makes you tick and what motivates you?

I feel people continually sleep on the effect I've had on the music business. And that being the fact, what makes me tick is [that] I'm so competitive, and I hate to lose with a passion. I push myself so hard that if I ever get the credit many others, as well as I, feel I deserve, I probably wouldn't even know.

4. What is next on your busy agenda? More recordings for others and for yourself? Give us some insight, please.

I'm working on so many projects right now and have a lot of up-and-coming singles: Avant, featuring Lil Wayne ("You Know What"); Nelly, featuring Pall Wall and Kenfolk ("My Grill"); Faith [Evans] ("Tru Love"); Bow Wow ("Fresh Asimiz"); Mariah ("Don't Forget About Us"). I'm also in the studio with Monica, LL Cool J, Ronald Isley, 3L2 and Janet. On the So So Def side, I have Dem Franchise Boys, T. Waters, Daz and Johnta Austin. On the Virgin side, there are Big Boi's Purple Ribbon All Stars, Dwele, Bossman and Sharissa, and so much more. I recently opened Cafe Dupri, which is a healthy-style eatery in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, and I'm looking to expand my empire with a chain of hotels called Hotel D.

5. Is there anything else you want to share with EBONY'S readers?

The thing I want EBONY readers to know is that my name is a name they should get used to hearing--because I'm going to be around for a long minute.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group