Also known as Darkchild Genres R&Bhip hop Siblings Fred Jerkins III | Years active 1995–present Albums Rags Name Rodney Jerkins | |
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Born July 29, 1977 (age 47) ( 1977-07-29 ) Occupation(s) Musicianrecord producersongwriterrapper Associated acts Michael JacksonWhitney HoustonMary J. BligeToni BraxtonBrandyMonicaFred Jerkins IIILaShawn DanielsRhonaJoy EnriquezRay JKirk FranklinWill SmithCiaraBeyonceDestiny's ChildMariah CareyRihannaJennifer LopezJanet JacksonLuther VandrossToni Braxton Role Record producer · darkchild.com Children Heavenly Joy Jerkins, Royal David Jerkins, Hannah Joy Jerkins, Rodney David Jerkins Jr Parents Sylvia Jerkins, Frederick Jerkins Similar People Profiles | ||
Music producers 2 secrets i learned from darkchild rodney jerkins
Rodney Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists, including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ashanti, Patti LaBelle, Brandy, Justin Bieber, Luther Vandross, Jennifer Lopez, Toni Braxton, Destiny's Child, Spice Girls, and The Pussycat Dolls.
Contents
- Music producers 2 secrets i learned from darkchild rodney jerkins
- Make Your Story Inspire Rodney Jerkins TEDxWatts
- Early life
- Career
- Production
- Record labels
- Music Mogul Inc
- Personal life
- Notable productions
- Guest raps
- Video cameos
- Web series
- References
Songs and albums which Jerkins has produced have sold over 160 million records worldwide. Jerkins has also won four Grammy Awards. Among his most successful productions are "The Boy Is Mine" for Brandy and Monica, "You Rock My World" for Michael Jackson, "Holler" for the Spice Girls, "It's Not Right but It's Okay" for Whitney Houston, "Say My Name" for Destiny's Child, "If You Had My Love" for Jennifer Lopez, "Déjà Vu" for Beyoncé, "He Wasn't Man Enough" for Toni Braxton, "Telephone" for Lady Gaga and "Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix)" for Britney Spears.
Make Your Story Inspire | Rodney Jerkins | TEDxWatts
Early life
Jerkins' father is an Evangelical pastor. Jerkins began playing piano at 5 years of age, following his brother and father who both played at church gatherings, where his father led a congregation subduing a racist agenda. At age 14, Jerkins was mentored by his idol, Teddy Riley, but he did not accept a contract offer to work with the producer due to an aspiration to build an "empire" without such support.
Career
Jerkins' first recorded output was a "gospel rap" collaboration with his brother, Fred Jerkins III, entitled On the Move. He later incorporated the name "Darkchild", at the age of 17, subsequently accepting a worldwide publishing deal with the EMI Music Corporation. The producer then proceeded to establish a commercial music career, initially working with artists such as Joe, Mary J. Blige and Brandy.
Production
Jerkins has produced and written for Brandy, Patti LaBelle, Joe, The Saturdays, Toni Braxton, Vanessa Williams, Will Smith, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Michael Jackson, Ayumi Hamasaki, Cher, Jessica Simpson, 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, Tiffany Evans, JYJ, Wonder Girls, Austin Brown, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Utada Hikaru, Hala Al Turk, Brian McKnight and LMFAO.
He is currently producing songs for Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Justin Bieber, JLS, Nelly Furtado, Kylie Minogue, Ayumi Hamasaki, The Saturdays' forthcoming albums and AGNEZ MO's upcoming debut album. Jerkins was a music producer and mentor on season 10 of American Idol.
When asked by Ryan Seacrest in 2013 the favourite people he's produced for he said "Definitely The Saturdays. Without a doubt. I had a lot of fun working with them and was really impressed with their voices. They were very down to earth and I like that a lot in an artist. I wish them all the best in America and think they could end up as big as The Spice Girls."
In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, Jerkins produced a song featuring the Palestinian 2013 Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf.
Record labels
In 1999, Jerkins 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 Artists & repertoire (A&R) for The Island Def Jam Group. 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 been loaned to Darkchild Gospel, a record company run by Jerkins' brother, Fred Jerkins III. which released the latest album from Virtue – Testimony.
Music Mogul, Inc.
In late 2008, Jerkins joined Nicholas Longano, Ray Brown, and Jonathan E. Eubanks in creating Music Mogul, Inc. MusicMogul.com represents an entirely browser-based online destination where celebrity artists can unite with their fans. Aspiring artists, songwriters and producers have a chance to be discovered as the next superstar. 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 quality music. As a result of this exposure, Mr. Malena, as he is called, is now appearing on major label releases such as, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, among others. Each quarter, members vote for the best video performances. 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.
Personal life
Jerkins has been married to singer Joy Enriquez since April 4, 2004, and they have four children: Rodney David Jerkins, Jr., born on (2008-05-28) May 28, 2008 ; Heavenly Joy Jerkins, born on (2009-11-17) November 17, 2009 ; Hannah Joy Jerkins, born on (2012-10-19) October 19, 2012 ; and Royal David Jerkins, born in 2015. He has resided in Galloway Township, New Jersey.
In 2015, his daughter Heavenly Joy was a contestant on season 10 of America's Got Talent.
Notable productions
Guest raps
Video cameos
Web series
Jerkins is currently starring with Johnny Wright in a number of episodes of the YOBI.tv Take the Stage web series.