Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, record executive, and DJ. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina and was raised in Atlanta. He has worked with and produced for Kris Kross, Mariah Carey, Usher, Jay-Z, Nelly, Monica, Migos, Da Brat, Xscape, Janet Jackson, TLC, Aretha Franklin, Ludacris, Alicia Keys, Jagged Edge and Bow Wow.
"U Should've Known Better" is a song by American recording artist Monica. It was written in collaboration with Harold Lilly and Jermaine Dupri, and produced by the latter along with frequent co-producer Bryan Michael Cox for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me (2002). When the album was shelved for release outside Japan, the song was one out of five original records that were transferred into its new version, After the Storm (2003). A contemporary R&B slow jam, "U Should've Known Better" contains elements of soul music and rock music. Built on an pulsating backbeat, the song's instrumentation consists of screeching guitars and an understated harp pattern. Lyrically, Monica, as the protagonist, delivers a message of loyalty to her imprisoned love interest and sings about staying down for him despite his doubts.
"Lil L.O.V.E." is a song by hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony for their studio album Strength & Loyalty (2007). It features American singer Mariah Carey and rapper Bow Wow and was released as the second single from the album in 2007. The artists co-wrote the song with Shante Harris, James Phillips, and Jermaine Dupri; the latter is also the producer. In the chorus, Carey expresses her need for a 'Lil L.O.V.E' and 'T.I.M.E' from her suspected lover. In the United States, "Lil’ L.O.V.E." was released as a digital download on May 8, 2007. The song was officially released as a single in the U.S. on June 5, 2007.
"Lock U Down" is a song by American singer Mýa on her fourth studio album Liberation (2007). It was written by Harrison along with Jason Boyd, Dwayne Carter, and Scott Storch, with production handled by the latter, and featured Young Money rapper Lil Wayne. The song was released as the album's official leading single after "Ayo!" failed to find success on the charts or at radio and eventually deemed as a promotional single only. The lyrics of the R&B-collaboration speak of a woman locking her man down when she has found the right one.
"Imagination" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia, released as the first single from her self-titled debut album (1998). It was written and produced by Jermaine Dupri and protégé Manuel Seal and features additional vocals by the former. "Imagination" is a mid-tempo R&B song that contains a sample from the Jackson 5's 1969 song "I Want You Back", written and produced by Motown's the Corporation team consisting of Berry Gordy, Alphonzo Mizell, Freddie Perren, and Deke Richards.
"Just Fine" is a song by the American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Jazze Pha and Tricky Stewart for her eighth studio album, Growing Pains (2007), while production was helmed by Pha and Stewart. It was released as the album's lead single in October 16, 2007. The song peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, while also topping the US Hot Dance Club Play.
"Got Money" is the third single by American rapper Lil Wayne from his album Tha Carter III (2008). The single features American singer T-Pain. Both Lil Wayne and T-Pain use the Auto-Tune effect in the song. The single was released as a digital download on iTunes on May 27, 2008. Lil Wayne and T-Pain performed the song at the BET 2008 awards and the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. MTV also ranked the song as the number 19 Hip-Hop song of 2008.
"Good Good" is a song by American singer Ashanti from her fourth studio album The Declaration (2008), which was released as the album's second single. Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal produced the song and wrote it with Ashanti. The lyrics revolve around sexuality and innuendo with the title phrase "Good Good". It received positive reviews from music critics, and several commentators cited it as the best track from the album. The song peaked at number 30 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart. A well-received music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, was released to promote the single; Ashanti said that it focused on sexual fantasy with influences from pin-up models. She promoted "Good Good" through live performances.
"Mrs. Officer" is the fourth single from Lil Wayne's album Tha Carter III. Its lyrics explore the tension between criminal suspects and police officers by portraying a relationship between Lil Wayne and a female police officer; it goes so far as to reference the famous rap song "Fuck tha Police". The song features Bobby Valentino and Kidd Kidd, and is produced by Deezle. The Music video officially debuted on September 9, 2008 It was ranked the No. 25 Hip-Hop song of 2008 by MTV.
"I'm a Hustla" is the lead single from rapper Cassidy's second studio album I'm a Hustla. The song is produced by Swizz Beatz and contains a sample from "Dirt off Your Shoulder" by Jay-Z.
"My Little Secret" is Xscape's second single, produced by Jermaine Dupri, from their third studio album "Traces of My Lipstick". The song reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, becoming their last single to reach the top ten on both charts. The song talks about a sexual relationship on "the side" while cheating, with lyrics :everybody cheats, but you gotta know how, you gotta know when,; turning into a "little secret" love affair.
"I Ain't Thru" is a song by American singer Keyshia Cole. It features Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj rapping the second verse of the song. Written by Cole, Minaj and Russell Gonzalez, the up-tempo hip hop/R&B song is the lead single taken from Cole's fourth studio album Calling All Hearts (2010). The song's lyrics revolve around Cole trying to do her own thing well while maintaining ignorance toward people who are against her. It was produced by The ARE and Ron Fair as Cole's 'statement record'.
"Enough of No Love" is a song recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole. It serves as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Woman to Woman. It features American hip hop recording artist Lil Wayne. It was released for digital download in the United States on July 3, 2012. It is her first single to reach the top 10 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since 2009's "Trust". It debuted at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at 84. As of July 10, 2013 it sold over 70,000 copies in the US.
"Beware" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Big Sean taken from his second studio album Hall of Fame (2013). "Beware" was released on June 25, 2013, as the album's third single, through GOOD and Def Jam. The song was written by Sean Anderson, Dwayne Carter, Dwane Weir II, and Alexander Izquierdo, while production was handled by frequent collaborator Key Wane and Mike Dean and features guest appearances from rapper Lil Wayne and singer Jhené Aiko.
"Here We Go Again" is a song by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written by Trina Broussard, Jermaine Dupri and Trey Lorenz for Franklin's thirty-fourth studio album A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998), while production was helmed by Durpi and Manuel Seal. The song is built around replayed portions of "The Glow of Love" (1980) by Italian-American post-disco group Change. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mauro Malavasi, David Romani and Wayne K. Garfield are also credited as songwriters. The song was the second single released from A Rose Is Still a Rose in June 1998 and reached number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100, also becoming Franklin's fifth number one on the US Dance Club Songs.
"We Fly High" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Jim Jones, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. (2006). The song is Jim Jones' highest-charting single to date, charting at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Stack Bundles and produced by Zukhan-Bey who produced his previous single, "Baby Girl". The intro of the song uses a sample of "Mr. Cool" by Rasputin's Stash.
"No Frauds" is a song recorded by Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj, American rapper Lil Wayne and Canadian rapper Drake. The song is a diss track, made in response to American rapper Remy Ma's 2017 song "Shether", a nearly seven-minute-long diss track aimed at Minaj. Produced by Murda Beatz and Cubeatz, the song was released as a single on March 10, 2017 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records along with "Changed It" and "Regret in Your Tears". In the song, Minaj criticizes Ma for her prison sentence and her record sales, among other things.
"Be Like Me" is a song by American rapper Lil Pump featuring Lil Wayne from the former's second studio album, Harverd Dropout (2019). It was released for digital download and streaming as the album's seventh single on February 21, 2019, by Tha Lights Global and Warner Records. The song was written by Lil Pump, Lil Wayne and CBMix, the latter of which handled the production. Throughout the song, Lil Pump calls out the rappers copying his style, while Lil Wayne looks at how he birthed a generation of them.
"Don't Waste My Time" is a song by American singer Usher. It features vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Mai. The song was first uploaded to SoundCloud on November 19, 2019, although it was officially released by RCA Records on December 13, 2019 to online music stores and streaming services. It serves as the lead single from Usher's upcoming ninth studio album Confessions 2. The song was written by Usher, Ella Mai, Vedo, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael-Cox, while production was handled by the latter two. The song takes inspiration in part from "I Like the Way " (1990) by American R&B quintet Hi-Five and "Show You the Way to Go" (1976) by American family group the Jacksons.
"What You Are" is a song by American singer Lionel Richie. It was written by Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal and Johntá Austin for Richie's eighth studio album Coming Home (2006), while production was helmed by Dupri and Seal. The song was released as the album's second single and reached number 15 on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs.
