While it is popular knowledge that JermaineDupri is a multi-Hyphenate artist. You might be surprised that he’s the brains behind some of your favorite hits of all time. With over two decades in the industry, JD, as he is affectionately known, has not only become a household name but has been recognized worldwide for his many endeavors. Here are fun facts you need to know about the dancer, rapper, DJ, songwriter, and record producer/executive.
Jermaine Dupri Bio (Age)
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin was born on September 23, 1972. Although his hometown is Asheville, North Carolina, he was raised in Atlanta following his father’s career in the entertainment industry. Dupri’s journey to fame began at a young age. Guided by his father, the rap star’s musical inclinations were gradually refined and established for the highly competitive music industry. Even before he was a teenager, Dupri was performing alongside top shots in the industry. He became part of a hip hop dance group called Whodini. Jermaine’s guest with the dance company saw him tour and perform at various events around the country.
Today, JD or Don Chi Chi as he is also known is a well known rapper and record producer/executive. However, few people know that Dupri once owned a business – rap Corna Guuds, before finally choosing his career as a rapper. Jermaine made his debut as a producer in 1990 with a female hip hop trio called Silk Tymes Leather. Shortly thereafter followed his next production for the group Kriss Kross, consisting of the duo Chris Smith and Chris Kelly. Dupri got his big break in 1993 when he started his own So So Def label. Jermaine’s first act under his new label was female R&B group Xscape, whose debut album Hummin’ Cominwas a great success. Shortly thereafter, Dupri’s label signed a distribution partnership deal with Columbia Records, but after a few successful years, the deal was canceled and Dupri moved to Arista Records.
Alongside his debut album Life in 1472 and consequently Instruction , the American rapper has been working with the industry’s top recordings to produce super hits. Of particular note are collaborations with Destiny Child, Usher, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Xscape, Lil Kim and Migos. In 2015, Dupri and Queen Latifah successfully launched The Rap Game, a reality TV series on Lifetime that discovers and trains new talent in the competitive industry.
Jermaine Dupri’s contributions and hard work in the industry have paid off, earning him multiple recognitions both locally and around the world. To date, the rapper has been nominated four times for the prestigious Grammy Awards, winning a 2006 hit for Best R&B Song of the Year with his hit We Belong Here . In 2008, Jermaine was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His capital
Jermaine Dupri was once considered one of the richest in the business. The rapper, record producer and songwriter’s current net worth is estimated at $2 million, which is a rusty number compared to his financial value in the early 2000s.
Dupri suffered a huge loss in 2013 when he defaulted on a loan agreement and was subsequently sued by SunTrust Bank. Since then, he has endured many more financial woes, including losing his Atlanta home in 2014. Despite this, Dupri continues to grow strongly in the industry and hopes to make a meaningful financial comeback soon.
father, wife and children
Jermaine Dupri didn’t fall far from his tree when he apparently inherited his father’s business and entrepreneurial genes. He is the son of Tina Mauldin and Michael Mauldin, a well-known musician from the 90’s. Additionally, Dupri’s father boasts a reputation as a successful entrepreneur, talent manager and music promoter, all of which are undaunted testaments to his business acumen. Michael was instrumental in his son’s career choice. Thanks to his father, Jermaine’s musical career began before he was ten and he was allowed to perform alongside Diana Ross in 1982. In addition, Michael was of immense support in founding the rapper label So So Def.
Jermaine Dupri has never been married but had an interesting dating history. Over the years, the rapper has been in a number of high-profile, headline-grabbing relationships. His first notable relationship was with Pam Sweat. Although the ex-lovers never made it, they share one child, a daughter named Shaniah Cymone who was born in 1998.
Next came Jermaine’s longtime relationship with pop singer Janet Jackson. Dupri and Janet were so into each other and even had a collaboration on their 2005 album, 20 YO . Their romance later morphed into an engagement at some point but after 8 years together (2001-2009) they called it quits. However, in the fall of 2017, unconfirmed reports surfaced speculating that the former lovers had reignited their flame, but neither party had publicly addressed the speculation.
Dupri probably hasn’t found the kind of love to put up with it and continue to freely enjoy the perks of single life. The rap star is also the father of another child, a daughter he fathered with an Atlanta-based woman, Sarai Jones.