Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and DJ. Raised in Atlanta, he began his musical career at the age of nine, as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin. In 1991, he discovered the teen hip hop duo Kris Kross. Dupri wrote and produced their breakout 1992 single "Jump," which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the 23rd most successful song of the decade. Dupri established his own record label, So So Def Recordings in a joint venture with Columbia the following year.
So So Def Recordings is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by producer Jermaine Dupri in 1993. Specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B, and bass music, the label has managed artists such as Bow Wow, Kris Kross, Xscape, TLC, Usher, Dem Franchize Boyz, Anthony Hamilton, Jagged Edge, and The Ghost Town DJs.
My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all multi platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".
Although the music scene of Atlanta is rich and varied, the city's production of hip-hop music has been especially noteworthy, acclaimed, and commercially successful. In 2009, The New York Times called Atlanta "hip-hop's center of gravity", and the city is home to many famous hip hop, R&B, and neo soul musicians.
Duice was an American Miami bass duo consisting of Los Angeles native Ira 'L.A. Sno' Brown and Barbados native Anthony 'Creo-D' Darlington. The two were enlisted in the military at Fort Gordon, Georgia when they were discovered. Their lone hit single, "Dazzey Duks", was an instant smash in 1993, selling over two million copies and peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single was certified 2× platinum on January 27, 1994, by the RIAA. Their album, Dazzey Duks, was certified gold on the same date. The song was inspired by the short shorts worn by the character Daisy Duke on the CBS TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. L.A. Sno later produced the gold certified "Whatz Up Whatz Up" along with Playa Poncho for the first So So Def Bass All Stars project. L.A. Sno also produced and co-wrote the first single for the LaFace Records Bass project entitled "And Then There Was Bass", following this with "My Baby Daddy" for B-Rock and the Biz.
This Is the Remix is the first remix album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson, released on July 2, 2002, by Columbia Records. The album contains remixes of tracks from her first two studio albums Sweet Kisses (1999) and Irresistible (2001). The remixes were done by DJs such as Peter Rauhofer and Hex Hector. The music was influenced by various genres of electronic music, such as ambient and techno. This Is the Remix did not include any new recordings.
Out of Business is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. The album was originally scheduled for a December 1998 release under Def Jam Recordings, but had been delayed numerous times as a result of a merger between Seagram's PolyGram and Universal Music Group's MCA Records, combining Def Jam and Island Records' operations together under the Island Def Jam Music Group. Ultimately, the album was released on July 20, 1999. It is the first official Def Jam album released under the newly-formed Island Def Jam Music Group and the group's last album released under the label as they left the imprint a year later before going inactive for the second time.
Life in 1472 is the debut studio album by American producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri, released via So So Def in the United States on July 21, 1998. 1472 refers to J + D, and 72. It produced the singles "Money Ain't a Thang", "Sweetheart", "The Party Continues", and "Going Home with Me". Life In 1472 spent two weeks at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while breaking the top 5 on the Billboard 200 and selling 162,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on August 19, 1998. A platinum certification followed on September 2, 1998.
Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album is the debut studio album by American Southern hip hop group Lil' Jon & The East Side Boyz. It was released on October 21, 1997, via Mirror Image Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at Entertainment International Studios, Purple Dragon Studios and KALA Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Lil' Jon and DJ Toomp, with Kool-Ace and Carlos Glover serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Playa Poncho, Disco Rick, DJ Kizzy Rock, Kool-Ace, Darryl E., DJ Pryme, Shorty Pimp, Jazze Pha, Romance and The East Side Girlz, with cameo appearances from Ayuna Burnett, Chris Smith, Nikki Jones, Jermaine Dupri, Emperor Searcy, Greg Street, Robert McDowell, Candice Austin, Stephanie Holder, Dee Dee Hibbler-Murray and Organized Noize's Ray Murray.
Instructions is the second studio album by American producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri, released by So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records on October 30, 2001. The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 on November 17, 2001.
Wooden Leather is the second studio album by American hip hop sextet Nappy Roots from Kentucky. It was released on August 26, 2003 via Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Tree Sound and The Zone in Atlanta, at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville, at QDIII Soundlab, Blakeslee Recording Company, Larrabee West and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, at Manhattan Center Studios in New York City, at Skip Taylor Recording and at Unsung Studios. The production was handled by several high-profile record producers such as David Banner, Jake and the Phatman, Kanye West, Lil Jon, Mike Caren, Mike City, Mr. DJ, Needlz, Raphael Saadiq, along with Brian Kidd, Briss, Freddie "Mac" McIntosh, Organic, Sol Messiah, Troy Johnson, Mr. Collipark and Kevin Freeman. It features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Raphael Saadiq, Aura J, Benjamin "Black" Bush, and the Ying Yang Twins.
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha is the debut studio album by American R&B singing group Xscape. Released on October 12, 1993, by So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records, the album produced the singles "Just Kickin' It", "Understanding", "Love on My Mind" and “Tonight”, and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, becoming certified platinum by the RIAA with sales over one million copies sold.
Off the Hook is the second studio album by American R&B group Xscape. It was released on July 11, 1995, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize, and Daryl Simmons and features a guest appearance by MC Lyte. Off the Hook was preceded by the release of four singles — "Feels So Good", "Who Can I Run To" and "Can't Hang/Do You Want To".
Traces of My Lipstick is the third studio album by American R&B group Xscape. The album was released on May 12, 1998, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", "My Little Secret" and "Softest Place on Earth".
Six is the sixth and final studio album by American hip hop group Whodini and their first and only record released via Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. It was released in 1996 along with the single "Keep Running Back". Audio production was handled by Dave Atkinson, Red Spyda, Carl So-Lowe, and Jermaine Dupri, who also served as executive producer.
Success-n-Effect was an Atlanta-based hip hop group, known for their controversial 1989 single, "Roll It Up My Nigga". The group started out as part of a mixed tape crew named Edward J & the J Team. King Edward J as he is referred to now, is credited as being the original mixed tape king in Atlanta, Georgia. King Edward J is responsible for the first generation of the J Team that included Edward J, Lady DJ, Dangerous D, MC Shy D, DJ Man, DJ Len, and Professor Lazy Rock. The second generation formed after DJ Len and Professor Lazy Rock signed their recording contract, and included King Edward J, DJ Kizzy Rock, MC Jamm, Magic Mark, Playa Poncho, DJ Smurf A.K.A., Dee Most Def, Erica D, China, DJ Majesty, DJ Dlx, DJ T-Bone, DJ Jaycee, and Tre Luv. Success-n-Effect's hit song used extreme racial language but ends on a positive anti-drug, pro-education message. The group is considered one of the more well known early political hip hop groups. DJ Len and Professor Lazy Rock were among its core members. They released two of their three albums on Ichiban Records.
Get Off the Stage is the seventeenth studio album by the American rapper Too $hort. It was released on December 4, 2007, through Jive Records, making it his fourteenth and final album on the label. Recording sessions took place at Blue Basement Recordings and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and at Young L Productions Studio. Production was handled by Traxamillion, Cooly C, DJ Kizzy Rock, Spec, Anthony Taylor, Gennessee and Young L, with Too $hort serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Dolla Will, E-40, Ginger, Kool-Ace, Mistah F.A.B., Ms. Hollywood, and The Pack. The album peaked at number 160 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Self Made is the debut studio album by American rapper Rocko, released on March 18, 2008. As a joint venture between Rocky Road Records, So So Def Recordings and Island Records, it was preceded by the moderately successful singles "Umma Do Me", "Tomorrow", and "Dis Morning". Guest artists include Lloyd, Kevin Cossom, Dre, and Monica, while production was mainly handled by Memphis-based producer Drumma Boy. The album received generally unfavorable critical response, citing Rocko's lack of identity or originality.
Dear Diary is the only studio album by American rapper Cha Cha. It was released on September 14, 1999 through Epic Records.
Certified Crunk is a compilation album by American Southern hip hop group Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz. It was released on November 4, 2003 via Mirror Image Entertainment/Ichiban Records. Production was handled by Midnight Black, Kool-Ace, Mr. Collipark and Lil' Jon. It features guest appearances from Jazze Pha, 404 Soldierz, Darryl E., DJ Pryme, Hitman Sammy Sam, Killer Mike, Ludacris, No Surrender, Playa Poncho, Ying Yang Twins, Organized Noize and Jermaine Dupri. The album peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200, number 40 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number nine on the Independent Albums in the United States.
