Jermaine Dupri says Songwriters Hall of Fame induction 'means the most to me'
The legendary producer said that entering the Songwriters Hall of Fame is his greatest honor.
For the second year in a row, hip-hop will have a major representative inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Global Spin Awards honoree Jermaine Dupri was recently announced as being in the class with Kool & The Gang, John “Cougar” Mellencamp and Allan Jackson. In 2017, JAY-Z was the first hip-hop artist inducted.
Speaking to REVOLT yesterday (Feb. 8) via phone, JD said that the nod is his greatest honor.
“All of these songs are huge,” said Dupri, who is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of his label SoSo Def. Besides penning number ones for his artists such as Kriss Kross, Bow Wow, Xscape, Jagged Edge and Da Brat, Jermaine has gained massive success crafting songs for the likes of Usher and Mariah Carey.
“They be number one records, double platinum, triple platinum. Usher sold ten million. I don’t know that it’s another producer that has my track record that’s from hip-hop. This award means a lot to me because of that simple fact,” he rationalized. “I think it will bring to light that I am a one of one in this world that we live in. Not that somebody can’t do it at some point. But as of right now, someone that writes 100 percent of songs and produce the way I do … It’s definitely a very special award and probably means the most to me.”
Dupri said he knew was nominated to be one of the inductees months back, and waited to see if he made the cut.
“I seen myself and I was shocked because I didn’t see Mariah and I didn’t see N.W.A. who was actually the front runners of the initial announcements of being nominated,” he remembered. “That’s when it blew me away.”
The Songwriters Hall of Fame will welcome its new members on Thursday, June 14th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Other inductees in his class include Bill Anderson, Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown & James “JT” Taylor p/k/a “Kool & The Gang,” Steve Dorff, Alan Jackson, John Mellencamp and Allee Willis.
JD isn’t resting on his accomplishments. He says he’s continuing to work, and besides Usher’s new LP, a new project by Bow Wow and cultivating a slew of new artists from his show “The Rap Game,” he’s working on a full-scale celebration for SoSo Def 25.
Dupri will also be honored with the Breaking Barriers Award at this year’s Global Spin Awards.
The Global Spin Awards air Thursday, February 22 at 9 p.m. ET on REVOLT TV. Looking for the channel? Use our locator here!