Jermaine Dupri turns 52 today and has spent much of his life giving us nothing but classics.
A highly influential figure in the music industry, Dupri began his career at a young age. Born on September 23rd, 1972, in Asheville, North Carolina, and raised in Atlanta, Dupri was exposed to the entertainment world early on as his father, Michael Mauldin, managed acts like the SOS Band. By age 12, Dupri had already started performing and dancing with bands such as Whodini.
Dupri’s breakthrough came when he discovered and produced the hip-hop duo Kris Kross in the early ’90s. Their hit single, “Jump,” topped the charts, establishing Dupri as a talented producer. Building on this success, he founded his label, So So Def Recordings, in 1993. The label launched the careers of R&B and hip-hop stars such as Xscape, Bow Wow, Da Brat, and Jagged Edge.
Over the years, Dupri became known for his production skills, collaborating with artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, and Janet Jackson. His work on Usher’s album “Confessions” in 2004, featuring hits such as “Burn,” was one of his biggest career achievements, helping the album become a massive commercial success.
Jermaine Dupri remains a pioneering force in shaping hip-hop and R&B music. As we celebrate his birthday, we must also take a trip down memory lane to some of his greatest chart-topping hits.
Kris Kross – “Jump”
Jermaine Dupri feat. Jay-Z – “Money Ain’t A Thang”
Mariah Carey – “Honey”
Lil Bow Bow feat. Xscape – “Bounce With Me”
Xscape – “Just Kickin’ It”
Usher – “Burn”
