For Jermaine Durpri, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree. The So So Def founder was introduced to the music industry at a young age, thanks to his father Michael Mauldin, former president of Colombia Records. At the age of 12, Jermaine landed a gig as a dancer for the group Whodini. He eventually gave up dancing and set his sights on producing music and discovering artists. While he's known for being a producer and executive more than he is for being a rapper, Dupri had no problem launching the careers of hip-hop artists Kris Kross, which led him to write their mega-hit 'Jump.' In 1998, the dancer turned producer released an album of his own titled, 'Life in 1472', featuring his popular hit with Jay-Z, 'Money Ain't a Thang.' Over the years, Jermaine has been responsible for producing tracks for artists like TLC, Janet JacksonUsher, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys to name a few.

 

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