In an age where artists can go from being the biggest voice flooding airwaves one day, to a forgotten talent the next, much is to be learned from those who’ve mastered longevity and maintained social relevance through the years.
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Of the few who can boldly boast such feats is Jermaine Dupri. For over 20 years, the rapper, producer, songwriter, author and CEO of So So Def Recordings has been an entertainment trailblazer, especially when it comes to discovering the next big names in music and creating chart topping hits.
It’s rare that entrepreneurs get access to insight directly from music moguls like JD, but at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit in Atlanta, May 13-16, Mr. So So Def will be in the building, sharing gems that you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets, mark your calendar, and come hear all that Jermaine Dupri has to say about his empire. Check out five of the biggest boss moves the music mogul has made so far.
Founded So So Def
In 1993, JD established So So Def. The record label was the home for some of R&B and hip-hop’s brightest stars, including Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge and Anthony Hamilton. In February 2013, So So Def artists and other industry heavyweights, like Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, performed at Atlanta’s Fox Theater to celebrate the imprint’s 20 year anniversary.
Discovered New Talent
Spotting big acts is not an easy task, as stars have to have a marketable appeal along with their talent. No matter how
promising an artist seems, signing him or her is always a risk because there’s no real way to determine how long fans will remain loyal. JD, however, proved to be a master at discovering the next big thing. He met Chris Kelly and Chris Smith at a mall and later turned the hip-hop duo into the multi-platinum selling Kris Kross. Similarly, he saw R&B girl group Xscape at a festival and signed them to So So Def before they too went on to claim multi-platinum status.Created Timeless Hits
Trendy tunes reflective of the times are necessary to stay current, especially among young audiences. But classic, timeless sounds are what stand the test of time. Usher’s “You Got It Bad” and Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” are only two of the many songs in JD’s repertoire that never get old. He co-wrote and produced “We Belong Together,” which landed Carey a Grammy and her 16th number one, the most number one hits by any female artist.
Named President of Virgin’s Urban Music Division
Mr. Dupri is fearless when it’s time to venture out and take on new challenges. In 2005, he accepted an offer as President of Virgin Records’ Urban Music Division. An official statement reported that as President of Urban Music, Dupri would house So So Def under the major label, oversee Virgin Records’ urban music operation, produce artists on the roster and produce for the entire EMI of labels. His time with Virgin was short lived, as he left the position in 2006.
Established Global 14
Always positioning himself to grow with modern trends and times, Jermaine Dupri founded Global 14. The social networking community differs from Facebook, Twitter and other platforms because it was founded by a celebrity face. “None of those have an owner that you actually know and feel like you have something in common…” he said. Global 14 has around 500 discussion groups on a variety of topics, like music and education.
The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit hosted by Nationwide is set for May 13—16, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. To register and find out more, visit www.blackenterprise.com/es. Join us at the Entrepreneurs Summit, Where Innovation and Capital Meet