Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is a rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and DJ from the United States. Dupri’s artistic career began at the age of nine. In 1982, his father, an Atlanta talent manager, organized a Diana Ross concert; to the amazement of concertgoers, Dupri managed to get on stage and dance with Ross. Dupri began his career as a dancer for the hip-hop group Whodini when he was twelve years old. He appeared in the music video for “Freaks Come Out at Night” by the band. He continued touring the country, opening for Herbie Hancock and Cameo before opening for Run-D.M.C., Whodini, and Grandmaster Flash at the New York Fresh Festival.
In 1995, he teamed with Mariah Carey for the first time on the number-one smash single “Always Be My Baby.” He contributed to Lil’ Kim’s 1996 album, Hard Core on the track “Not Tonight”. He also produced and co-wrote singles for MC Lyte (“Keep On, Keepin’ On”), The Braxtons (“So Many Ways”), and Whodini (“Kept On, Keepin’ On”) (“Keep Running Back”). In the same year, Dupri reunited with Kris Kross for their third and last studio album. Produced the entire album as well as the album’s two somewhat popular singles (“Tonite’s the Night” and “Live and Die for Hip Hop”).