Jermaine Dupri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jermaine Dupri
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Dupri in 2012
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Jermaine Dupri Mauldin
September 23, 1972 |
| Other names | Don Chi Chi |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
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Works
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| Partner(s) | Janet Jackson (2002–2009) |
| Children | 2 |
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| Awards | Full list |
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| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is an American rapper and record producer. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Michael Mauldin, was a music executive. Jermaine started his music career very young, at just nine years old.
He became famous in 1991 when he discovered the teen hip-hop group Kris Kross. Dupri wrote and produced their huge hit song "Jump" in 1992. This song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! The next year, he started his own record label called So So Def Recordings.
Over the years, Dupri has worked with many popular artists. These include Mariah Carey, Usher, Monica, and Nelly. He helped them create 11 songs that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. As a rapper himself, Dupri released his first album, Life in 1472, in 1998. It was a big success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 album chart. His second album, Instructions (2001), featured the hit song "Welcome to Atlanta".
In 2015, Dupri co-created a TV show called The Rap Game with Queen Latifah. He has also won a Grammy Award for his amazing music.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin was born on September 23, 1972, in Asheville, North Carolina. His father, Michael Mauldin, worked for Columbia Records. Jermaine grew up in College Park, Georgia.
His journey in music began when he was only nine years old. In 1982, his father organized a show for the famous singer Diana Ross. Young Jermaine surprised everyone by getting on stage and dancing with Ross! When he was twelve, Dupri became a dancer for the hip-hop group Whodini. He even appeared in their music video for "Freaks Come Out at Night". He performed across the country, sharing the stage with stars like Herbie Hancock and Cameo. He also opened the New York Fresh Festival, which featured groups like Run-D.M.C. and Grandmaster Flash.
Building a Music Empire
Starting His Career and Big Hits (1990–1996)
In 1990, Jermaine Dupri produced his first music group, a female hip-hop trio called Silk Tymes Leather. A year later, in 1991, he met two boys at a mall and formed the teen duo Kris Kross. Their first album, Totally Krossed Out, came out in 1992. It sold millions of copies thanks to hit songs like "Jump" and "Warm It Up". Dupri wrote and produced both of these songs.
In 1993, he started his own record label, So So Def. Soon after, he found the R&B group Xscape at a festival in Atlanta and signed them. Their first album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, was entirely produced by Dupri and also sold millions. It included popular songs like "Understanding" and "Just Kickin' It". That same year, he met Da Brat and signed her to So So Def. Her first album, Funkdafied (1994), was a big hit. So So Def also partnered with Columbia Records in 1993 to help distribute their music.
In 1995, Dupri worked with Mariah Carey for the first time on her number one song "Always Be My Baby." He also helped create music for other artists like Lil' Kim, MC Lyte, and The Braxtons. In 1996, he worked with Kris Kross one last time on their final album, producing all the songs.
Working with Major Stars (1997–2003)
In 1997, Dupri helped write and produce several songs on Usher's second album, My Way. The songs "You Make Me Wanna", "Nice & Slow", and "My Way" all became huge hits. They sold millions of copies. Dupri also worked with Monica on her successful album, The Boy Is Mine, which included the number one song "The First Night".
In 1998, Jermaine Dupri helped with Destiny's Child's first album. He then focused on his own music again, releasing his debut album, Life in 1472. This album featured popular songs like "The Party Continues" and "Money Ain't a Thang" with Jay-Z. The album quickly sold millions of copies. That same year, he met and signed an 11-year-old rapper named Lil' Bow Wow to So So Def Recordings.
In 2002, his record label partnership with Columbia Records ended. Dupri then moved So So Def to Arista Records in 2003. He released his second album, Instructions, in 2001, which featured the hit song "Welcome to Atlanta".
More Chart-Topping Success (2004–2009)
In 2004, Dupri teamed up with Usher again for his album Confessions. Dupri helped write and produce three number one songs from this album: "Burn", "Confessions Part II", and "My Boo". Confessions won a Grammy Award and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums ever!
In 2005, Dupri worked with Mariah Carey again on her album The Emancipation Of Mimi. This album had the massive hit song "We Belong Together". This song stayed at number one for 14 weeks, becoming one of the longest-running number one songs in U.S. history. "We Belong Together" also won two Grammy Awards. Later in 2005, he worked with Bow Wow on his album Wanted, producing top 5 hits like "Let Me Hold You" and "Like You". In December, Dupri produced Nelly's song "Grillz", which also hit number one.
In 2006, Dupri signed Dem Franchize Boyz to So So Def. Their album On Top of Our Game topped the rap charts with songs like "I Think They Like Me". He also worked with Monica on her song "Everytime tha Beat Drop". Later in 2006, Dupri was a main producer for Janet Jackson's album 20 Y.O., helping to create many of its songs and all of its singles. He also worked on her next album, Discipline, in 2008.
In 2007, Dupri produced songs for artists like Paul Wall and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He also wrote a book about his life called "Young, Rich and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul". In 2008, he continued to produce for Usher, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson, as well as Ashanti and Nelly. In 2009, he produced songs for Fabolous and Bow Wow.
Recent Projects and Achievements (2010-Present)
On October 7, 2013, Jermaine Dupri became Mariah Carey's talent manager. He later stepped down from this role in 2014, but they still work together on music.
In 2015, Dupri and Queen Latifah created a reality TV show called The Rap Game. The show started in 2016 on the Lifetime channel. It followed five young artists, aged 11–16, who wanted to become rap stars. Dupri and guest stars like Usher and Ludacris gave them advice on how to succeed in the music business.
In 2018, Jermaine Dupri was honored by being added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was only the second hip-hop artist to receive this honor, after Jay-Z. Also in 2018, the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles had an exhibit called Jermaine Dupri & So So Def, 25 Years Of Elevating Culture, celebrating his career.
In 2022, Dupri produced the song "If I Get Caught" for the R&B group Dvsn. On February 9, 2024, Dupri released a new song called "This Lil' Game We Play", featuring Nelly, Ashanti, and Juicy J.
Personal Life
Jermaine Dupri has two daughters. His oldest daughter, Shaniah Mauldin, appeared on the TV show Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta.
From 2002 to 2009, Dupri was partnered with singer Janet Jackson. They also worked together on music.
Dupri is a vegan, meaning he does not eat meat or animal products. He has promoted this lifestyle through an ad for PETA, encouraging people to "Feel the beets. Lose the meats."
Discography
Studio albums
- Life in 1472 (1998)
- Instructions (2001)
Awards and Honors
Jermaine Dupri has won a Grammy Award for his work in music. He has been nominated for many other Grammy Awards throughout his career, including for Album of the Year and Best R&B Song. In 2006, he won the Grammy for Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey, which he helped produce and write.
See also
In Spanish: Jermaine Dupri para niños
