Young, Rich, and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul [Hardcover]

Jermaine Dupri (Author), Samantha Marshall (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2007

Jermaine Dupri has reached modern-day mythical status in the music industry. He is the power behindthe music of top artists including Mariah Carey,Usher, Lil Jon, and Janet Jackson.

At the age of sixteen, Jermaine Dupri had discovered the child rap duo Kris Kross; by the age of nineteen, Dupri had produced a platinum album and had become a millionaire; and by twenty he was operating his own independent record label, So So Def. Today Dupri is the president of Island Records Urban Music, and the youngest of three hip-hop moguls holding executive positions at large labels.

More than your average memoir, Young, Rich, and Dangerous is a road map for thousands who dream about making it big in the realm of entertainment or in the boardroom. What really happens behind the music? Dupri traces his experience in the music business, providing priceless advice for aspirants -- whether it's rappers, producers, or executives who will follow in his footsteps.

Enriched with never-before-seen photographs from studios, parties, and awards shows with our favorite celebrities, Young, Rich, and Dangerous allows all readers an inside look at the most exciting moments of this hit-maker's life among the best in the business.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" Jermaine Dupri has had more than a wonderful life -- performer, songwriter, musician, producer -- and now he's adding another jewel to his crown: author. The honesty of Young, Rich, and Dangerous, and the candor with which he talks about his life, is sure to keep the reader turning the pages. I wouldn't expect anything less from J.D. -- he loves to keep the flame burning and the media talking! When Jermaine 'rains,' go on, get wet, and check it out."

-- Quincy Jones

" Jermaine Dupri leads a generation of movers, shakers, and hit-makers who have redefined the American Dream. His impeccable instinct, ear, and vision for bringing hip hop to the forefront of pop culture propelled his remarkable rise in the music business, and is a testament to his hard work and determination. Young, Rich, and Dangerous is an informative and entertaining blueprint for the hiphop generation's music lovers and aspiring music moguls!"

-- Clarence Avant, music executive

" Even though [Jermaine Dupri's] a young dude who's very much in tune with what's happening musically today, his grind is 100 percent old school. He is one of a breed, like Quincy Jones, Babyface, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, who can make a record from A to Z.... He's a superstar because his great music has made so many stars and touched millions of lives."

-- Teddy Riley, from the Foreword --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Samantha Marshall is a senior staff reporter for Crain's New York Business.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Atria; 1st Atria Bks HC Ed. Oct.2007/ 1st Prnt. edition (October 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743299809
• ISBN-13: 978-0743299800
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only for the fans., March 19, 2008

By 

T. Gallion (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Young, Rich, and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul (Hardcover)

Unless you're a big fan of his music, you're not going to enjoy this book too much. The book doesn't seem to have any real purpose except for Jermaine to pat himself on the back. Jermaine didn't spend alot of time thinking over this book. It seems like he was being interviewed and dropped some thoughts to an author to put together. The book is very self serving/ self promoting. Jermaine is rarely offering the reader his truly feelings. Most of the time he's being too cautious about what he says to keep on good business terms with people in the industry.

However, you do get a much better sense of who Jermaine Dupri is as a person. Much of the book is about materialism not spiritualism. Jermaine talks alot more about the more successful artists and the current artists who he's been involved with. But, he tends to leave out the less successful artists or the ones who've been out of the game for awhile. I thought it was interesting how he had much to say about Biggie whom he only worked with on a couple of songs but nothing to say about Left Eye whom he was more closely linked to.

The books has a few interesting spots or juicy moments but the majority of the book makes for unmemoriable reading. There are alot of other hip hop books that Jermaine could've taken notes from. Russell Simmons's book offered more spiritual and business insight. DMX's book told a far more interesting life story. LL Cool J's book was told more honestly and straight from the heart. There was really no reason for Jermaine's book other than to feed his own ego.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No substance, September 8, 2008

By 

Thirty Something (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young, Rich, and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul (Paperback)

JD's book is another platform for him to fluff himself up. He never really gets controversial. The book is not very in depth about any particular subject. Well, he does talk a lot about things he bought with his money. Wrote about two pages talking about the IRS thing. Not any usable information for aspiring producers. He still sounds a little salty with the former LaFace Records creators. Oh, and he goes on about not being recognized for his accomplishments in the industry. (IMO - sample heavy music does not require the same amount of talent as original music.) Just a lot of talk with no substance, pretty much the same way he raps.

I will be happy when YBM learn that money does not make a man. JD and his peers want to be measured by their wealth. It only goes over with the most impressionable members of our society. Most adults are not impressed. I am happy that JD does well, but I really wish he would find something else to talk and write about.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars YOUNG, RICH, AND DANGEROUSLY INFORMATIVE, December 15, 2007

By 

Gian Fiero (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Young, Rich, and Dangerous: The Making of a Music Mogul (Hardcover)

Jermaine's candid stories reveal the challenges and difficulties that producers face when grooming and working with artists who have drama, and divas who have dollars.

Written with a conversational tone, it's layed out in a chronological format that details Jermaine's journey as a background dancer with Whodini, to superstar producer and founder of So So Def Records, his adventures as a label executive for Sony, Arista, and Virgin records, as well as his love affair with Janet Jackson.

Despite the occasional tangents that he goes on (especially about the reasons he spends so much time at strip clubs), the book provides entertaining lessons learned from his trials and tribulations of working with platinum selling acts like Kriss Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Mariah Carey, and his troubles with the IRS are significant to the climax of this book: be accountable for your business. Get it today for any producer or aspiring producer you know.