Jermaine Dupri, born Jermaine Dupri Mauldin on September 23, 1972, is an American record producer, songwriter, and rapper who has left a substantial mark on the music industry. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Dupri has carved out a legacy as both a hitmaker and an influential figure in the hip-hop and R&B scenes. He began his music career as a dancer for the hip hop group Whodini when he was just twelve years old, and by the age of fourteen, he'd produced his first act, the female hip hop trio Silk Tymes Leather. However, he truly rose to prominence in the 1990s as the founder of So So Def Recordings, where he was influential in the careers of many artists, including Kris Kross, Da Brat, and Bow Wow.

Over the decades, Dupri's instinct for creating hit songs has been unerring, having written and produced for a host of big names, such as Usher, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson. He has been recognized for his achievements with numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best R&B Song for co-writing Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together," considered one of the decade's best songs. In recent years, Dupri has continued to stay relevant, with releases such as "Pick it Up" and "For Motivational Use Only, Vol. 1." His dedication to the craft is evident in his varied projects, which include the anniversary compilation "So So Def 25: From the Vault," celebrating the quarter-century legacy of his record label. Impactful not only for his production but also for his talent-spotting prowess, Dupri’s influence is threaded through the fabric of contemporary music.

Genres

Atl Hip Hop

Contemporary R&b

Dirty South Rap

Hip Pop

R&b

Southern Hip Hop

Urban Contemporary

Related Artists

Pharrell Williams

Ludacris

Timbaland

USHER

Nelly

Missy Elliott

Lil Jon

Ne-Yo

T-Pain

Dr. Dre

DJ Khaled

Swizz Beatz

Latest Release

This Lil' Game We Play (feat. Nelly, Ashanti & Juicy J)

Jermaine Dupri•

Nelly•

Ashanti

Single - Released February 9, 2024