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Buzz Extra: A chat with Jermaine Dupri at his book signing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz Extra
Don’t let Jermaine Dupri’s size fool you.
He’s a tiny thing who stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches, and his hand easily gets swallowed up in a firm handshake. But the man who traded his grungy braids and street persona for a manicured, debonair look, complete with sunglasses and high fashion, is doing big things today.
In other words, he’s a hip-hop giant.
David Graves
Jermaine Dupri signs a copy of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” for aspiring rapper Mark Buford, who drove eight hours from W. Virigina to come to the signing.
He’s now hardly ever seen without one or two mountain-sized bodyguards, who were with him Saturday as he stepped inside Border’s bookstore on Peachtree Street to promote his autobiography, “Young, Rich and Dangerous: My Life in Music,” before the BET Awards show that night.
“It’s only right to put this book out,” the musician says from behind designer stunners as he pecks away at his mobile do-hickey before the signing. “I want to inspire people.”
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Dupri said he wants to lay a foundation for up-and-coming hip-hop artists so that 5 to 10 years from now, “they can look back and say this inspired them.” He said he never had that sort of reference as he grew up in the industry.
And what else is awry with the hip-hop industry?
“Losing all the great people we’ve lost — Biggie, Tupac, Jam Master Jay,” he noted. “They were most important to hip-hop because of the energy they brought to the game. We’re missing that now.”
Dupri said to never see these acts perform again is a tragedy, because young artists like Bow Wow and Chris Brown can’t see the passion they brought to the stage.
“I’ve never been to a concert where I’ve sweated like that back in the day.” he said. When going to a show, “you’re not as excited now. You’re just there. Seeing Chris Brown imitating Michael Jackson is good, but I bet he never seen Michael Jackson in concert.”
One of the first in line at the book signing was Debbie Maehr of Norcross, who’s purchased three copies of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” — officially in stores Tuesday. “I just think he’s a wonderful influence on music,” Maehr, the CEO of a project management/project control company, said of Dupri. “I love his music. I think he has just an incredible talent.”
And why three books? “I have a friend in Uganda I’m sending one to, because she loves the American music. So I send her a lot of music and stuff. I think she’ll just be thrilled to death to get a personalized book from Jermaine Dupri.”
Besides hosting BET Awards parties at his Studio 72 nightclub all weekend in Lawrenceville, Dupri — who reportedly earned $14 million in 2006, according to Forbes — says he’s busy producing songs for Mariah Carey’s and Janet Jackson’s upcoming albums. He also owns Cafe Dupri in Atlanta and has a greatest hits album coming out Oct. 23 — and let’s not forget So So Def Records and Island Urban Records.
Dupri’s one of the hardest working men in hip-hop, and it’s all part of the plan for this 5-foot-5 giant.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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