CONGRATULATIONStothe 2006 ASCAP R&B Award WinnerJERMAINE DUPRI"Songwriter of the year"
Jermaine Dupri knows about diversity. As an executive producer, the Atlanta-based music mogul oversaw Ushers blockbuster Confessions album, which has sold nearly 9 million copies and in 2005 earned the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B album. As CEO of So So Def Recordings, hes helmed the release of dozens of platinum and gold albums. As a producer and songwriter, Dupri has helped shape hits for Usher, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and others. Hes also crafted platinum albums for himself. In 1992, when he was just 19, an age when most people are trying to figure out what to do with their lives, Dupri founded So So Def. He struck multi-platinum with Kriss Kross and soon established himself as a premier R&B, rap and pop hitmaker. . Since then, he has launched the careers of Da Brat, Bow Wow, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, J-Kwon and many more through the label and his direction. This tremendous track record set the stage for Dupris most recent accomplishment. On April 1, 2005, Dupri assumed the position of President of Black Music at Virgin Records. All of the urban acts on the legendary labels roster will be under Dupris direction. He hopes to make Virgin a major player in the urban music world. Dupri already has several artists recording music for their forthcoming albums. Dupri has recently signed Bossman, a rapper from Baltimore, to Virgin. Other So So Def/Virgin artists include Daz Dillinger (of Tha Dogg Pound fame), R&B crooner Johnta Austin (songwriter for Aaliyah, Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Joe, Ginuwine), rapper The Kid Slim, rapper T. Waters, rapper SunN.Y., and Dupri himself. Many of Dupris new artists will get their first national exposure on Young, Fly and Flashy Vol. 1, a compilation scheduled for a July release that will be the first project Dupri releases as Virgins President of Black Music. The type of outcome that Im trying to get is that all of the sudden, Virgin Records looks like a company that everybody else wants to be a part of, Dupri says.Dupris body of work represents a multi-layered approach that illustrates his visionary business acumen. With 13 extraordinary years in business experience to his credit, Dupri is solidifying his legacy as his hitmaking streak continues. In the next ten years, Dupri says, Im going to be one of the dudes that people try to pattern themselves after and follow. In all reality, those in the know already are.
