Rodney Jerkins

Superstars, both well-established and newer, turn to the prolific Jerkins for sure-fire hits.  His combination of live instruments and real music consistently turn in stellar, award-winning tracks for the artists who enlist him.  Music stars such as Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Madonna, Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, Brandy, Cher, Destiny’s Child, N’Sync, Joe and Ray J have turned to Jerkins for one of his unmistakable smashes to add to their hit lists.  The Darkchild possesses a vast range of talent; he easily, seamlessly fashions the music, lyric, song and orchestration into a fully formed, distinctive package of infectious sounds, complimenting the artist’s particular range and style. 

Jerkins, through his Darkchild Productions, has spun his musical magic into countless hits, amassing over 160 million in record sales worldwide.  Born the youngest son of a minister father and choir director mother in Pleasantville, New Jersey, he began taking classical piano lessons as a child, and combined it with the gospel music that he heard in church.  Rodney’s God-given gifts quickly blossomed, as he worked tirelessly on his music and began recording demos for local talent.  His career journey began when New Jack Swing’s Teddy Riley came across one of those demos and opened the first door.  Subsequently, Rodney’s first professional writing and producing job came in 1994, for an artist named Casserine and at the tender age of 15, he and his brother, Fred Jerkins III, wrote and produced his gospel rap album, “On The Move."

Rodney continued his ascent by working with Mary J. Blige in 1997; he co-wrote, arranged and produced five songs for her four-time platinum CD, Share My World, including the hit single “I Can Love You.”  As a result, Billboard magazine touted him as one of the hottest R&B producers in the country that year, and again in 1999.  Jerkins’ infectious, distinctive beats began to raise the bar for urban music production.  Having set a new standard, he has created his own unique niche in music.

Likening the young Jerkins to another maestro, Quincy Jones, is a natural conclusion.  Both gentlemen possess the Midas touch in their endeavors; both names are synonymous with greatness and both have made their indelible mark on cinematic music.  Jerkins has contributed music to numerous movie soundtracks; among them are the films “Honey,” “Scary Movie 3,” “Blue Streak,” “My Baby’s Daddy” and “Rush Hour 1 & 2.”

Jerkins also wears the hat of Vice President of A&R for Island Def Jam Records.  Accordingly, Rodney’s productions are featured on many current CD’s, including those from Roc-A-Fella’s first lady Teairra Mari, the latest Disturbing Tha Peace artist Shareefa and Def Jam r&b vixen Megan Rochell.  Via this affiliation, he re-teamed with superstar Beyonce, for her highly celebrated sophomore solo album, B-Day, for which he produced her newest smash single, the contagious “Déjà Vu,” featuring rapper Jay-Z.  That track quickly rose to Billboard’s #1 spot on their R&B/Hip-Hop chart and dominated the Summer 2006 airwaves, garnering Jerkins a Grammy nod in the process.

Summer 2006 is also blazing with another re-teamed Rodney Jerkins/Mary J. Blige production, with the big hit, “Enough Cryin,” from Blige’s record-setting new CD, “The Breakthrough.”  An unmistakable, unforgettable radio favorite, the pulsing tune is on every station’s heavy rotation list.  It’s also helping to drive Mary J.’s CD toward the strongest sales of her career, propelled in large part by this single with the Jerkins touch.  The Summer of 2006 portends to offer us a number of Jerkins’ sizzling hot productions.  He has released Rodney Jerkins Presents Versatility, an innovative CD of all-instrumental tracks, which represents a competition on CD.  Aspiring songwriters are invited to write lyrics for the various tracks and submit them, for the chance to win a record deal with Jerkins’ Darkchild Records.  A revolutionary concept, never before done, he is providing an opportunity for up-and-comers to become affiliated with the genius that is Darkchild, and be attached to the most quality production available. 

Then, on August 29th, 2006, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Jerkins’ remake of the classic 70’s Sister Sledge anthem, “We Are Family,” which reunited that group’s four members for the first time in 20 years, accompanied by an impressive collection of artists, including Patti LaBelle, Brian McKnight, Ciara, Christina Milian, Chris Brown, Branford Marsalis, BeBe Winans, George Clinton, Lyfe Jennings, Mary Mary, Ray J and others, hit radio airwaves nationally.  The release paved the way for the special edition CD/DVD of the song, which includes nine additional tracks by various artists, released on November 14th, 2006 by Bungalo/UMG in conjunction with The Points of Light Foundation, with its sales earmarked to benefit up to 200,000 hurricane-displaced families across the country.  The stellar production’s corporate sponsors are Clear Channel, Wal-Mart and the UPS Foundation; additionally, the CD cover features the artwork of the most-collected artist in U.S. history, Thomas Kinkaide.  Of this initiative, Jerkins says, “I am blessed to have been able to lend my talents to the important mission of reconstructing the lives of thousands of American families who were horribly affected by the Katrina disaster.  After all, we’re all family—the human family.”

Jerkins, currently in the studio with Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Hudson, has carved out a distinctive career, built for longevity. Lately, he has also undergone a personal metamorphosis, with the loss of over 100 lbs.  The healthier Rodney has emerged renewed, prepared to continue building onto his musical legacy. 

The ever-busy Rodney has not forgotten his roots in the church.  A devout Christian with strong moral values, he does not compromise in order to conform to today’s music landscape; instead, he consistently uses his formidable talents to shape groundbreaking music on his own terms.  The “Newchild,” Jerkins’ moniker where it regards his gospel projects, is happily married to the lovely, talented vocalist Joy Enriquez.  He worked with his wife to produce her first gospel CD, entitled “Atmosphere Of Heaven.”  Together, they are currently completing her next album, which is scheduled to be released in 2007.

Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and his music are the stuff that legends are made of.