Rodney Jerkins
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| Rodney Jerkins | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rodney Jerkins |
| Also known as | RJ, Darkchild, Rodney Jerkins, DC |
| Born | July 29, 1977 |
| Origin | Pleasantville, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop |
| Occupations | Musician, record producer, songwriter, rapper |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Associated acts | Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Rhona, Joy Enriquez, Ray J, Kirk Franklin |
| Website | www.darkchild.com, www.musicmogul.com |
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (born July 29, 1977) is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. In 2011, he received two Grammy nominations.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Jerkins has been married to singer Joy Enriquez since April 4, 2004. Their first child, Rodney David Jr., was born May 28, 2008. Their second child, a daughter, Heavenly Joy Jerkins, was born November 17, 2009.
[edit] Production
Jerkins has produced for Toni Braxton, Lindsay Lohan, Keyshia Cole, Brandy, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Aaliyah, Britney Spears, Mary Mary, The Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child, Spice Girls, TLC, Janet Jackson, Danity Kane, Beyoncé, Linda Király, Lady Gaga, Cascada, Tamia, Pussycat Dolls, Whitney Houston, Natasha Bedingfield, Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie, JYJ, Wonder Girls, Austin Brown, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Utada Hikaru, LMFAO, and The Pussycat Dolls. Jerkins was a music producer and mentor on season 10 of American Idol.
[edit] Record labels
In 1999, he joined Sony/Epic Records to promote power vocalist Rhona, Pop/R&B girl group So Plush and rapper Fats. Fats appeared on two tracks Jerkins produced for Michael Jackson's Invincible album and So Plush released the single "Things I've Heard Before". Subsequently, So Plush's singles, "Damn" and "Things I've Heard Before", were pressed and made available as promos, and Rhona's album was even released in Japan. In 2005 Darkchild Records reappeared when Jerkins signed brand new acts including Shamari Fears formerly of R&B group Blaque, female MC Asia Lee, Dancehall artist Atiba, and Gospel singer Anesha Birchett.
In 2006, he was appointed VP of A&R for The Island Def Jam Group. Upcoming female R&B artist, Natasha, will have her music distributed through a collaboration between the label and Jive Records. Jerkins released his wife Joy Enriquez's second album Atmosphere Of Heaven, which features a religious direction, on his independent gospel imprint JoyFul Child Records. The Darkchild name has also been lent to a record company run by Jerkins brother Fred Jerkins III, Darkchild Gospel.[1] which released the latest album from Virtue - Testimony.
[edit] Music Mogul, Inc.
In late 2008, Jerkins joined Nicholas Longano, Ray Brown, and Jonathan E. Eubanks in creating Music Mogul, Inc.[2] MusicMogul.com represents an entirely browser-based online destination where celebrity artists can unite with their fans and aspiring artists, songwriters and producers have a chance for discovery to become the next superstars. It is responsible for discovering up and coming producer/songwriter Keri Malena out of Dallas Texas who is making a good name for himself producing good quality music. Of such connection, Mr. Malena, as he is called, is now appearing on major label releases of the such as, Justin Bieber, Lady GaGa, Kiesha Cole, Jamie Fox just to name a few. Every quarter, members vote for the best video performances.[3] The top performers are then flown to Los Angeles to compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The winner gets a demo deal with Darkchild Productions.[4]
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Singles discography
See links for extensive discography.
[edit] Guest raps
- 1995: Hodge - "Head Nod" (Darkchild Remix)
- 1996: AZ - "Something About You" (Darkchild Remix)
- 1997: Tasha Holiday - "Just The Way You Like It (Darkchild Remix)" w/ Lil' Cease, Peter Gunz and Mike Nitty
- 1997: MQ3 - "Everyday"
- 1997: Immature - "I Can't Wait" with Mike Nitty
- 1997: Mary J. Blige - "Everything (Darkchild Remix)"
- 1997: K-Ball - "On The Weekend", "Love Matters"
- 1998: Kirk Franklin & The Nu Nation Project - "Revolution"
- 1998: Keith Washington - "Bring It On (Darkchild Remix)"
- 1999: Brandy - "Top of the World" (Darkchild Remix) with Fat Joe and Big Pun
- 2000: Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale - "Act Like You Know" with LaShawn Daniels
- 2001: So Plush - "What You Do To Me" with 50 Cent and Fats, "Ain't My Fault"
- 2001: Rhona - "Satisfied (Another Darkchild Remix)" with Fats
- 2002: Jay Mathis - "Kiss" with Pain and Fats
- 2002: Mary Mary - "He Said" with Fats
- 2002: K-Young - "Ballinest Player" with Lil' Zal
- 2002: K-Young - "Ooh Wee"
- 2002: Shawn Desman - "Sexy"
- 2003: Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale - "Good Life"
- 2004: Kierra "Kiki" Sheard - "You Don't Know"
- 2005: Joy Enriquez - "Don't You Let Go"
- 2005: Anesha Birchett - "Get Ready" with Mase
- 2005: Atiba - "Flossin" with Francisco
- 2006: The Darkchild Allstars - "We Are Family"
- 2008: The Pussycat Dolls With Diddy, Lil Wayne, & Fatman Scoop - When I Grow Up (Darkchild Remix)
[edit] Video cameos
- 1996: Gina Thompson - "The Things That U Do (Bad Boy Remix)"
- 1997: No Authority - "Don't Stop"
- 1998: Kirk Franklin & The Nu Nation Project - "Revolution"
- 2001: So Plush - "Things I've Heard Before"
- 2001: Rhona - "Satisfied"
- 2002: Brandy - "What About Us?"
- 2002: Monica - "All Eyez on Me"
- 2006: Natasha - "Hey, Hey, Hey" and "So Sick"
- 2006: Shareefa - "Cry No More"
- 2006: J. Holiday - "Be with Me"
- 2008: Brandy - "Right Here (Departed)"
[edit] References
- ^ "Darkchild Gospel". Darkchild Gospel. http://www.darkchildgospel.com/. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ Billboard.biz[dead link]
- ^ Iwatani, Yukari (2008-11-14). "Wall Street Journal". Online.wsj.com. http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122663498086327655-lMyQjAxMDI4MjE2NDYxMzQ0Wj.html. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ November 14, 2008 (2008-11-14). "Virtual World News". Virtualworldsnews.com. http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2008/11/cilemon-and-music-mogul-connecting-music-industry-to-virtual-worlds.html. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
[edit] External links
- Rodney Jerkins on Myspace
- Rodney Jerkins on Beatbuggy
- Ebony Magazine Interview
- AllHipHop.com Interview[dead link]
- MixOnline Technical Interview
- Darkchild official website
- MySpace Page of Darkchild Music
- Fred Jerkins' Darkchild Gospel
- Darkchild Fansite (inc. discography)
- Thermal Soundwaves Show interview
- Le groupe SoulRnB.com consacré à Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
