Rodney Jerkins

Rodney Jerkins
Background information
Also known as Darkchild
Born (1977-07-29) July 29, 1977
Origin Pleasantville, New Jersey, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Instruments
Years active 1995–present
Associated acts
Website darkchild.com

Rodney Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists, including Ashanti, Patti LaBelle, Brandy, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Luther Vandross, Jennifer Lopez, Toni Braxton, Destiny's Child, Lady Gaga, Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and The Pussycat Dolls.

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.[1][2][3]

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.[4]

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.[4]

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, JYJ, Wonder Girls, Austin Brown, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Utada Hikaru, Hala Al Turk, Brian McKnight and LMFAO.[5][6]

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."[7]

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.[8] which released the latest album from VirtueTestimony.

Music Mogul, Inc.

In late 2008, Jerkins joined Nicholas Longano, Ray Brown, and Jonathan E. Eubanks in creating Music Mogul, Inc.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

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 May 28, 2008; Heavenly Joy Jerkins, born on November 17, 2009;[5] Hannah Joy Jerkins, born on October 19, 2012; and Royal David Jerkins, born in 2015.[12] He has resided in Galloway Township, New Jersey.[13]

In 2015, his daughter Heavenly Joy was a contestant on season 10 of America's Got Talent.[14]

Singles discography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Song Artist Chart position
R&B Hot 100 UK
1995 "The Way That You Love" (Remix) Vanessa Williams 23 67 52
1996 "The Things That You Do" Gina Thompson 12 41
1997 "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Simone Hines 38
"Don't Wanna Be a Player" Joe 5 25 16
"I Can Love You" Mary J. Blige (featuring Lil' Kim) 2 28
"Don't Stop" No Authority 54
1998 "Let Me Return the Favor" Andrea Martin 32 82
"Daydreamin'" Tatyana Ali 5 6 6
"The Boy Is Mine" Brandy and Monica 1 1 2
"Top of the World" Brandy (featuring Mase) 2
"Revolution" Kirk Franklin (featuring Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins) 59
"Angel of Mine" Monica 2 1 55
"It's Not Right but It's Okay" Whitney Houston 7 4 3
"Angel in Disguise" Brandy 17 72
1999 "If You Had My Love" Jennifer Lopez 6 1 4
"Sunshine" Coko 19 70
"Say My Name" Destiny's Child 1 1 3
"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (Darkchild Mix) Brandy (featuring Shaunta & Da Brat) 25 79
"Damn" So Plush (featuring Ja Rule) 41
2000 "He Wasn't Man Enough" Toni Braxton 1 2 5
"Let Love Lead the Way" Spice Girls 1
"Holler" 107 1
"If I Told You That" Whitney Houston & George Michael 9
"Time Limit" Hikaru Utada
2001 "I Sings" Mary Mary (featuring BB Jay) 68
"You Rock My World" Michael Jackson 13 10 2
"Satisfied" Rhona
"Everything" Canela
"I Remember" (Remix) Debelah Morgan
2002 "Overprotected" (Darkchild Remix) Britney Spears 86 4
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" 13
"What About Us?" Brandy 3 7 4
"All Eyez on Me" Monica 32 69
"Get with Me" 3rd Storee 85
"If Only You Knew" Prymary Colorz 78
"Turntable" TLC
"Over Me"
"Hey Hey Hey Hey"
"Who's It Gonna Be? (3D Japan bonus track)
2003 "I'm Good" Blaque 95
"All I Do" B5 71
2004 "You Don't Know" Kierra "Kiki" Sheard 84
"Lose My Breath" Destiny's Child 10 3 2
"One Wish" Ray J 3 11 13
2005 "Cater 2 U" Destiny's Child 3 14
"What I Need" Ray J 58
2006 "Enough Cryin'" Mary J. Blige 2 32 46
"Hold Me Down" Danity Kane
"Need a Boss" Shareefa 10 67
"Cry No More" 43
"Déjà Vu" Beyoncé (featuring Jay-Z) 1 4 1
"So Lonely" Mariah Carey (featuring Twista) 65
"The One You Need" Megan Rochell (featuring Fabolous) 41
"Can't Get Enough" Tamia 26
"Turn the Page" Bobby Valentino 63
2007 "Be with Me" J. Holiday 83
"Can't Leave 'Em Alone" Ciara (featuring 50 Cent) 10 40 109
"Shoulda Let You Go" Keyshia Cole 6 41
"Hey Hey Hey" Natasha
"So Sick"
"Feedback" Janet Jackson 39 19
2008 "What Them Girls Like" Ludacris (featuring Chris Brown & Sean Garrett) 17 33
"I'm Grown" Tiffany Evans (featuring Bow Wow) 98
"Luv" Janet Jackson 34 101
"So Over You" Ashanti 9 3
"Angel" Natasha Bedingfield 63
"Right Here (Departed)" Brandy 22 34
"Long Distance" 42 101
"The Definition" 116
2009 "I Look So Good (Without You)" Jessie James 104
"Girls" Se7en (featuring Lil' Kim)
"Make Me" Janet Jackson 71 73
"Telephone" Lady Gaga (featuring Beyoncé) 3 1
"The One" Mary J. Blige (featuring Drake) 32 63
2010 "Shake My" Three 6 Mafia (featuring Kalenna) 75
"Perfect Nightmare" Shontelle
"I Hate That You Love Me" Dirty Money
"Target Practice" Austin Brown
2011 "The One You Call" Keke Palmer
"Taking His Girl" Clyde McKnight
"What Are Words" Chris Medina 83
"Just Can't Get Enough" The Black Eyed Peas 3 3
"Stitch by Stitch" Javier Colon 17
"I Forgive You" Kelly Clarkson
"Turn the Lights Out" Priscilla Renea
2012 "Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)" Nelly Furtado 14
"Spirit Indestructible"
"Parking Lot"
"Got Me Good" Ciara
"Die in Your Arms" Justin Bieber 17 34
"As Long as You Love Me" 116 6 22
2013 "Waiting for the Night" Nelly Furtado
"Bucket List"
"The Art of Letting Go" Mariah Carey 46
"Perfect World" Tone Damli
Roller Coaster Justin Bieber
"Lease My Love" The Saturdays
2014 "Xscape" Michael Jackson

Appearances and production discography

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.[15][16][17][18][19]

References

  1. Daw, Robbie. "Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Working on Unreleased Michael Jackson Material | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  2. "Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – Vision". Darkchild.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  3. "Rodney Jerkins Nominated for a Grammy". New York: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  4. 1 2 Lowenstein, Felicia (October 31, 1999). "Rodney Jerkins Passing the Freshness Test". BMI. Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Rodney Jerkins Music Videos". Ovguide.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  6. "Max-Schneider.Org // The Largest Max Schneider Fan Resource on the Web // Daily News // News Content & Much More". Max Schneider. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  7. "NELLY FURTADO Announces New Album & Releases 'Big Hoops' Lyric Video". The Daily BLAM!. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  8. "Darkchild Gospel". Darkchild Gospel. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  9. Billboard.biz Archived September 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. Iwatani, Yukari (November 14, 2008). "Wall Street Journal". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  11. "Virtual World News". Virtualworldsnews.com. November 14, 2008. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  12. "Rodney Jerkins and Wife Joy Enriquez Welcome Daughter Hannah Joy". hollywoodlife.com.
  13. Jackson, Vincent. "MUSIC / Jerkins Brothers Have Shot At Winning Grammys Tonight", Press of Atlantic City, February 23, 2000. Accessed December 28, 2010. "Local record producer Rodney Jerkins – who had a half dozen hits in 1999 – should walk out of the Grammy Awards ceremony tonight with either a Grammy award or a certificate... The Galloway Township resident, whose DarkChild recording studio is in Pleasantville..."
  14. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6620400/rodney-jerkins-daughter-heavenly-joy-americas-got-talent-audition
  15. Shaw, Lucas. "MySpace Meets 'American Idol' In New Singing Competition 'Take The Stage'". TheWrap.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  16. Hampp, Andrew. "Johnny Wright, Rodney Jerkins Talk New MySpace Competition Series 'Take The Stage'". Billboard.biz. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  17. Wieselman, Jarrett. "Building the Perfect Reality Competition". TheInsider.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  18. "Take The Stage Singing Contest Webseries". Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  19. "Take The Stage". Retrieved August 28, 2012.
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