Hit producer-songwriter Jermaine Dupri steps from behind the scene to become rap artist

Jet, July 13, 1998

Charttopping producer-songwriter Jermaine "JD" Dupri has carefully sculpted the careers of some of the industry's hottest performers like Da Brat, Xscape and Usher. Now it's his turn to work that same type of magic on himself with his upcoming debut album, Life In 1472.

The project's first single, Money Ain't A Thing, which features rapper Jay-Z, is already holding its own on the charts. Prior to this, his song, The Party Continues, which features Da Brat and Usher, prepared people for his coming as a rap artist.

"I don't consider myself a star. I create stars," the man who first molded the career of the rap duo Kris Kross tells JET. "I'm stepping into an artist's shoes. I have to pay my dues as an artist."

Life In 1472 features hot artists like Mariah Carey, Keith Sweat, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lil' Kim and Mase. But don't expect to see a follow-up album, says Dupri, 26.

"I don't want to continue to be an artist. This will probably be my first and last album," he contends. "I wanted to do something that's going to be special to music."

Dupri's success as a producer-songwriter has been phenomenal. He has worked with a multitude of performers such as Mariah, Lil' Kim, Dru Hill and Tamia, to name just a few. He's also worked with the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin on her new album.

The So So Def CEO, who's been in the industry for more than a decade and is the son of Columbia music executive Michael Mauldin, says he's able to pump out hits for diverse artists because, "I put myself in the mind state of those artists. I study the whole music industry 24/7. At the same time, I study the artist too."

Even though Dupri's plate is full, he keeps going strong. "You have to understand the word longevity and respect it. One hit song doesn't excite me. When one song hits, I'm already thinking ahead. I'm thinking about the next record."