Childhood and Family

Jermaine Dupri Mauldin, professionally known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, was born on September 23, 1972, in Asheville, North Carolina, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of Tina Mosley and Michael Mauldin, a former Columbia Records executive. This early exposure to the music industry played an influential role in shaping Dupri’s career path.

First Taste of the Spotlight

Dupri’s introduction to the entertainment world occurred at a young age. In 1982, during a Diana Ross concert organized by his father, a ten-year-old Dupri took to the stage and danced with the legendary performer. The impromptu moment not only delighted the audience but also marked Dupri's first public performance, foreshadowing his future in the music industry.

Early Career in Dance and Hip Hop

At age twelve, Dupri began his professional journey in music as a dancer for the pioneering hip hop group Whodini. He appeared in their music video for “Freaks Come Out at Night,” a significant early milestone that helped launch his multi-faceted career in entertainment.

Breakthrough as a Record Producer

Dupri gained widespread recognition in the early 1990s when he discovered and produced the teen rap duo Kris Kross. Their debut single “Jump” became a chart-topping hit, propelling both the group and Dupri into the national spotlight. This success established Dupri as a leading young producer in the hip hop and R&B genres.

Founder of So So Def Recordings

In 1993, Jermaine Dupri founded So So Def Recordings, an influential label that became a launchpad for numerous chart-topping artists. Under his leadership, So So Def became synonymous with Atlanta’s music scene and helped define the sound of Southern hip hop in the 1990s and 2000s.