JERMAINE DUPRI: BUSINESSMAN

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24: It seems like you're in a great space right now and you're about to go on a run again?

Jermaine Dupri: You hit it right on the head. It started with signing Hot Dollar and bringing Janet to Island and now Rocko is coming out and Jagged Edge just put out "Baby Making Music" and Mariah Carey.

24: Also, as a producer, you are working with Usher and you finished working with Jay-Z, which was some of his best work lately with American Gangster, I think, so tell me what that meant to you getting back together with Jay-Z?

Jermaine Dupri: I have known Jay for years now and we worked together a lot of times but this time felt special and I think those 2 songs, "Fallin" and "Success," me and No ID brought the finishing touches to a classic album. As far as Usher, wow that's all I'm going to say about that and Janet new album will be crazy too! I came here to work and bring something to the table like I have been doing my whole career man.

24: You also recently put out a book?

Jermaine Dupri: It's called "Young, Rich and Dangerous" and I think this book will help up and coming artist or producers wanting to know how to get into the industry this book tells my story from day one to now.

24: Saw the Boost Mobile commercial as well with Jeezy?

Jermaine Dupri: I'm a businessman, at the end of the day so it only made sense but I keep me a blackberry and sidekick too, Lol.

24:  What's your current relationship with Bow Wow?

Jermaine Dupri: We still cool man. I help raise that boy so it will always be love but he feels like he needs to grow up and do his own thing and I wish him the best. He has the "FaceOff" album with Omarion and I think he will do well, he learned from the best.

24: I still feel like with all the accomplishments you have done you are still under rated and get over looked how do you feel about that?

Jermaine Dupri: I ask myself this all the time but I realized at the end of the day when you do your history I will be there, you can't take that away. Follow the charts and I will be there. But sometimes I do feel like damn where is the other side where people give the credit that's due.

24: What do you look for when you're looking to sign new talent?

Jermaine Dupri: Years ago I would look at an artist and see if they had that special thing about them that others would see or that voice that sounds like no one else in the game. Now things have changed and artist need to have a good work ethic and they have to start their own movement before the majors take a look at them along with the swagger and knowing how to make good music.

24: With the success of DJ Khaled now a lot of DJ's are getting signed to major labels and opening doors for others like DJ Drama's recent album and you signing DJ Felli Fel?

Jermaine Dupri: Well Felli Fel is LA like DJ Khaled is Miami and Funkmaster Flex is New York and Greg Street, DJ Drama is for Atlanta. Felli helped me sign Hot Dollar also and he understands good music which is the biggest thing.

24: Thanks for the interview. Do you have any last words you want to tell the readers?

Jermaine Dupri: Look out for that Usher album, Janet, Rocko, Hot Dollar, Jagged Edge In Stores Now, Mariah Carey. My book is in all bookstores it's a must read and shout out to 24Hour.