Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | E | Ebony

Rodney Jerkins: music maestro on a mission.

Article Excerpt
DARKCHILD. Over thumping, pumping, techno-funk riffs, that name is lovingly or respectfully uttered by some of the biggest and sexiest voices in the music industry.

Whitney Houston sings it. Toni Braxton purrs it. The name rolls off Brandy's talented tongue like lyrics of a great song. Michael Jackson, in his distinctive style, whispers it. Darkchild.

At first many did not know what this phrase meant, this "darkchild" that so many singers are whispering during the intro to their hit songs. Sometimes it even comes in the form of a little rap. But now, the word is out--and spreading far beyond the music industry--that "darkchild" refers to Rodney (Darkchild) Jerkins, the hot young music producer who is the mastermind behind many of today's greatest hits.

Jerkins is pop music's newest and youngest hit-making wiz. At age 24, the Pleasantville, N.J., native is a fascinating coming-of-age success story and stands out among hundreds of rags-to-riches tales. The Grammy-winning producer and songwriter has created hits for some of today's biggest artists, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Destiny's Child, Monica, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Jennifer Lopez, Brian McKnight, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Joe, Deborah Cox, Britney Spears, N'Sync--and the list goes on and on. In great demand, he practically works around the clock and around the country, alternating between his Darkchild Productions & Recording Studio in New Jersey to various facilities in New York, California, Orlando, Miami, Houston, Atlanta and elsewhere to service his eager, high-profile clientele.

Jerkins is also the youngest person to secure a label deal with a major record company. His Darkchild music label is distributed by Sony Music.

The youngest of four children of the Rev. Fred Jerkins Jr. (now also his manager) and Sylvia Jerkins,...