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Biography
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, US on 23 September 1972 Dupri entered the music industry at the ripe age of 12, acting as a back up dancer for the hip-hop group Whodini and breaking into the public’s eye with his appearance in their video “Freaks Come Out at Night”.
Dupri later came into his own as a producer and by 1990 worked on his first production project with the all female hip-hop trio Silk Tymes Leather. A year later he oversaw the teen rap duo Kris Cross, which featured Chris Kelly and Chris Smith. The group hit it big with the single “Jump”, which topped the Billboard 200 for eight straight weeks and went 2X platinum.
At this point Dupri was able to establish and sustain his own record label known as “So So Def Recordings”. The label was formed in 1993 and is based out of Atlanta. One of the label’s first occupants was the female R&B group Xscape, an act also based out of Atlanta. This group (like the past acts Dupri worked with) was immensely successful and earned platinum status with their debut album “Hummin‘ Comin’ at ‘Cha”.
This trend persisted when Dupri signed Chicago hip-hop artist Da Brat. Her 1994 debut “Funkdafied” achieved platinum status and also acted as a lead to So So Def Recordings distribution partnership with Columbia Records.
After Dupri contributed to Lil‘ Kim’s top 3 R&B charting debut “Hard Core”, he lent his efforts to Destiny’s Child’s 1998 self-titled release, an album which stayed on the US Billboard 200 for 26 weeks.
This year also saw the release of Dupri’s own studio debut album “Life in 1472”. This album was a monumental commercial success, hitting the No.1 spot on the Top R&B Albums and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. To add to the excitement of that year Dupri met Lil Bow Wow and eventually signed him to his label, though the artist would eventually leave.
In 2002 Dupri’s contract with Columbia expired and he went on to join forces with Arista Records. During his time with Arista he collaborated with artists ranging from Mariah Carey to Weezer, the former who he managed until August 2014. Dupri also gained recognition abroad with his work with Usher, contributing to the singers most well known albums “My Way”, “8701”, and “Confessions”.
Live reviews
Let’s talk about Jermaine Dupri Mauldin, who just goes by Jermaine Dupri now. So he is the producer, rapper and songwriter from Atlanta Georgia, he established his record label called So So Def Recordings in 93, and dated Janet Jackson. Not a bad CV so far Mr. Dupri. Let’s not forgot his Grammy winning song “We Belong Together”.
Tonight we are going to experience a number of songs from his two decades of music that he has brought to the world. “Money ain’t a Thang” which features Jay-Z kicks of the evening, with a huge big beat sound, a dated 80’s sounding snare and a bass drum which reverb decay fills the room and makes your rib cage rattle. It inspires an atmosphere in this audience this evening, which keeps them moving in sync with one hand in the air and one hand on their belt, punching the air to every syllable of the chorus.
It is when we get to “Welcome to Atlanta” which features the machine gun blasted lyrics from none other than Ludacris. “I Think They Like Me” is the R&B and Rap chart topper that sees everyone in this audience singing along at the top of the lungs. What a talent Dupri is, making a name for himself.
Lannistaar
