Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), better known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists. Jerkins has won two Grammy Awards from 19 nominations. Among his most successful productions are " The Boy Is Mine" by

Brandy Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof) and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif. Some brandies are aged in wooden casks. Others are coloured ...

and Monica, "

It's Not Right but It's Okay "It's Not Right but It's Okay" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her fourth studio album, '' My Love Is Your Love''. It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, Isaac Phillips, Toni ...

" by

Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, film producer, model, and philanthropist. Commonly referred to as "Honorific nicknames in popular music, the Voice", she is List of awards and no ...

, "

Say My Name "Say My Name" is a song by American group Destiny's Child from their second studio album, '' The Writing's on the Wall'' (1999). It was written by Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerki ...

" by

Destiny's Child Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final lineup comprised Beyoncé, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams (singer), Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Hou ...

, "

If You Had My Love "If You Had My Love" is the debut single by American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez from her first studio album, '' On the 6'' (1999). The song was written by Lopez, LaShawn Daniels, Cory Rooney, Fred Jerkins III, and its producer Rodney Jer ...

" by

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...

, "

Déjà Vu ''Déjà vu'' ( , ; "already seen") is the phenomenon of feeling like one has lived through the present situation in the past.Schnider, Armin. (2008). ''The Confabulating Mind: How the Brain Creates Reality''. Oxford University Press. pp. 167–1 ...

" by

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

, " He Wasn’t Man Enough" by

Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven ...

, "

Telephone A telephone, colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that enables two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be easily heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most ...

" by

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her image reinventions and versatility across the entertainment industry, she is an influ ...

, and " As Long as You Love Me" by

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Regarded as a pop icon, he is recognized for his multi-genre musical performances. He was discovered by record executive Scooter Braun in 2008 and subsequently brought to the U ...

Early life

Jerkins' father, Frederick, is an Evangelical pastor and his mother was a housekeeper. Jerkins began playing piano at age five. He would follow his brother and father, who both played at church gatherings. Raised in

Galloway Township, New Jersey Galloway Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and a growing edge city to neighboring Atlantic City. At of total area of land and water, Galloway Township is the largest municipality in the state.

, Jerkins is one of four children: two boys and two girls. His brother is fellow producer Fred Jerkins III. Jerkins attended

Absegami High School Absegami High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey The student body comes from Galloway Township.

, and identifies as a

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

. At age 13, he was offered a chance to work at a studio in

Atlantic City Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Atlantic City comprises the second half of the Atlantic City- Hammonton metropolitan sta ...

, but declined. At age 14, Jerkins was mentored by his idol,

Teddy Riley Edward Theodore Riley (born October 8, 1967) is an American record producer, singer, and songwriter credited with the creation of the R&B and hip-hop fusion genre, new jack swing. Musical artists who utilized Riley's production and songwri ...

, but he did not accept a contract offer to work with the producer due to an aspiration to build an "empire" without such support. He was also offered a chance to work at

Bad Boy Records Bad Boy Entertainment, doing business as Bad Boy Records, is an American independent record label. The label was founded in 1993 by rapper and record producer Sean Combs. During the mid-1990s, the label signed hip-hop and contemporary R&B, R&B a ...

, but declined. At 16, he was approached by James Jones, formerly of

Uptown Records Uptown Records is an American record label, based in New York City, founded in 1986 by old school rapper ‘Dr Jekyll’ - Andre Harrell. From the late 1980s into the early 1990s, it was a leader in R&B and hip-hop. Beginnings and success In ...

, and moved in with him to Hackensack to work with him. One of their first sessions was with

Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American Rhythm and blues, R&B singer and actress. She has been referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Godmother of Soul". LaBelle began ...

Career

Jerkins' first recorded output was a "

gospel rap Christian hip-hop (originally gospel rap, also known as Christian rap, gospel hip-hop or holy hip-hop) is a cross-genre of contemporary Christian music and hip-hop. It emerged from urban contemporary music and Christian media in the United State ...

" collaboration with his brother,

Fred Jerkins III Fred Jerkins III, also known as Uncle Freddie, is an American songwriter and record producer. Career Jerkins is best known for his work with his brother Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Jerkins has co-written several hit songs with Rodney Jerkins a ...

, entitled ''On the Move''. He later incorporated the name "Darkchild", at the age of 17, subsequently accepting a worldwide

publishing Publishing is the activities of making information, literature, music, software, and other content, physical or digital, available to the public for sale or free of charge. Traditionally, the term publishing refers to the creation and distribu ...

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 Mary Jane Blige ( ; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and entrepreneur. Often referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Qu ...

and

. Jerkins' stated his first big projects were Blige's ''

Share My World ''Share My World'' is the third studio album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released by MCA on April 22, 1997. The album became Blige's first to open at number one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 album chart. Moreover, it is her first albu ...

'',

's ''

'', and Brandy and Monica's '' The Boy Is Mine''. Over the course of his career, Jerkins has developed a "camp" of successful topline writers, including

LaShawn Daniels LaShawn Ameen Daniels (December 28, 1977 – September 3, 2019) was an American songwriter, vocal producer and arranger. Often in tandem with producer Rodney Jerkins, he is known for his songwriting work for R&B singers such as Brandy, Beyoncé, ...

Kenisha Pratt Kenisha LaCarol Pratt (February 13, 1980 – December 19, 2019) was an American songwriter and vocal producer, known for her songwriting credits on songs by artists such as Brandy, Toni Braxton, TLC, Yahzarah, Burhan G and Hadise, and her brother ...

Toni Estes Toni Estes is an American singer-songwriter and background vocalist best known for co-writing Whitney Houston's 1999 hit single "It's Not Right but It's Okay", as well as her other work with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. In 2000, Estes ...

, Anesha & Antea Birchett, Jordan Omley, Jon Jon Traxx, Tommy Brown, Delisha Thomas,

Marvin Hemmings Marvin Hemmings, also known as Toneworld, is an American songwriter, producer, and pianist, best known for his work alongside producer Rodney Jerkins, as well as producing Top 10 gospel single "Withholding Nothing" by William McDowell. Hemmings ...

, Michael Mani,

Kalenna Harper Kalenna LaShante Harper-Vick (; born August 13, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known as a member of the musical trio Diddy – Dirty Money, which was formed by herself, Dawn Richard, and Sean Combs in 2009. The group signed ...

, Keli Nicole Price,

Nora Payne Nora Payne is an American singer-songwriter and background vocalist best known for her work with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Payne has written for Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and Brandy, among others. In October 2017 ...

, Michaela Shiloh,

Isaac Phillips Isaac Phillips is an American songwriter, producer, and guitarist, best known for his work with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Phillips has written for Whitney Houston and Brandy, among others. Songwriting and guitarist credits Credits ...

, Japhe Tejeda, LeToya Duggan,

Mischke Butler Mischke Butler is an American singer, songwriter, vocal producer, vocal coach and vocal arranger, best known for his work with Michael Jackson, The Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Keke Palmer, and Little Mix. Career 1990s: Early career Butler, r ...

, Andre Lindal, and

Victoria Monét Victoria Monét McCants (born May 1, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. First gaining recognition for her songwriting work, Monét pursued a recording career with the release of a series of extended plays (EPs); her fifth, ''Jaguar'' (2020) ...

, among others.

Production

Jerkins has produced and written for

, Joe,

The Saturdays The Saturdays are an English-Irish girl group based in London, England. The group formed during the summer of 2007 and has been on hiatus since 2014. The lineup consists of Frankie Bridge, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King, and Vanessa Whi ...

Vanessa Williams Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American singer, actress, model, producer and dancer. She gained recognition as the first Black woman to win the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984. She would later Vanes ...

Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both Will Smith filmography, the screen and Will Smith discography, music industries, List of awards and nominations re ...

Keyshia Cole Keyshia Myeshia Cole (née Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actress. Dubbed by critics as the " Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", she is known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Bor ...

, Monica,

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey ( ; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Songbird Supreme" by ''Guinness World Records'', Carey is known for her five-octave voc ...

Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer-songwriter and producer. Nicknamed the "Empress of Pop" on account of her influence throughout Asia, she is widely recognized for her versatile music production, songwriting, and live performances. Hamasaki is the List of ...

Cher Cher ( ; born Cheryl Sarkisian, May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Goddess of Pop", she is known for her Androgyny, androgynous contralto voice, Music an ...

Jessica Simpson Jessica Ann Johnson (née Simpson; born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer. After performing in church choirs as a child, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997, aged seventeen. Her debut studio album, '' ...

, Ashanti,

Aaliyah Aaliyah Dana Haughton ( ; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer, actress, dancer, and model. Known as the " Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop", she is credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, p ...

Amerie Amerie Mi Marie Rogers Nicholson (born January 12, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and writer. She has released four studio albums to date: '' All I Have'' (2002), ''Touch'' (2005), '' Because I Love It'' (2007), '' In Love & W ...

Ariana Grande Ariana Grande-Butera ( ; born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Regarded as a pop icon and an influential figure in popular music, Grande is known for her four-octave vocal range, which extends into the whistle re ...

Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the "Princess of Pop", she has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists. Cultural impact of Brit ...

Mary Mary Mary Mary is an American urban contemporary gospel duo formed in 1998, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell. Their name is inspired by two biblical figures: Mary, mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. They ar ...

Kirk Franklin Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American Gospel music, gospel musician. One of the List of best-selling gospel music artists, best-selling gospel music artists, his accolades include 20 Grammy Awards. ''Variety (magazine), Var ...

Kierra Sheard Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly (born June 20, 1987) is an American gospel music, gospel singer and evangelist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard and COGIC Presiding Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., J. Drew Sheard and the g ...

The Black Eyed Peas The Black Eyed Peas are an American musical group formed in Los Angeles in 1995, composed of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo (rapper), Taboo. Fergie (singer), Fergie was a member during the height of their popularity in the 2000s, and ...

Spice Girls The Spice Girls are an English girl group formed in 1994, consisting of Mel B ("Scary Spice"), Melanie C ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"), and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). They have sold over 10 ...

TLC TLC may refer to: Arts and entertainment Television * ''TLC'' (TV series), a 2002 British situational comedy television series that aired on BBC2 * TLC (TV network), formerly the Learning Channel, an American cable TV network ** TLC (Asia), an A ...

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreogr ...

Danity Kane Danity Kane is an American music group whose most recent line-up consisted of Aubrey O'Day, Dawn Richard, and Shannon Bex. The group originally had five members, but D. Woods, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett left the group in 2008, and Aundrea Fimbre ...

Linda Király Linda Király (born 28 February 1983) is a Hungarian singer and songwriter. She sings both in English and in Hungarian. She is the older sister of singer Viktor Király. Biography Linda Király is the second eldest of four children of musician ...

Cascada Cascada (, Spanish language, Spanish, 'Waterfall'), is a German dance music act founded in 2004 by singer Natalie Horler and DJs/composers/ producers DJ Manian and DJ Yanou. They functioned as a trio from 2004 to 2021, with their last track ...

Tamia Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill (born May 9, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with War ...

Pussycat Dolls The Pussycat Dolls were an American girl group and dance ensemble, founded in Los Angeles, California, by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a neo-burlesque troupe. At the suggestion of Jimmy Iovine, Antin decided to take the troupe mainst ...

Natasha Bedingfield Natasha Anne Bedingfield (born 26 November 1981) is a British and New Zealand singer, songwriter and record producer. She released her debut album, '' Unwritten'', in 2004, which contained primarily up-tempo pop songs and was influenced by R& ...

, B5,

Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores; writing and recor ...

Tiffany Evans Tiffany Evans (born August 4, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Evans rose to fame in 2003 as a contestant on ''Star Search'' (hosted by Arsenio Hall), she became the first contestant in ''Star Search'' history to earn a perfe ...

JYJ JYJ (formerly known as Junsu/Jejung/Yuchun in Japan) was a South Korean boy band formed in 2010 by Kim Junsu, Kim Jae-joong, and Park Yoo-chun, the three former members of TVXQ. Their group name is taken from the initial letters of each member's ...

Wonder Girls Wonder Girls () was a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. The group debuted in February 2007 with the single "Irony (Wonder Girls song), Irony" and 5 members: Park Ye-eun, Yeeun, Sunye, Sunmi, Hyuna, and Ahn So-hee, Sohee. Aft ...

Austin Brown Nathaniel Austin Brown (born November 22, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Early life Brown was born in Tarzana, California, on November 22, 1985, to Nathaniel Brown and Rebbie Jackson. He is a member of the Jackson fa ...

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists in hist ...

Hikaru Utada , also known mononymously as Utada, is a Japanese and American singer, songwriter, and producer. She is considered to be one of the most influential and best-selling musical artists in Japan. She is best known by international audiences for w ...

Keke Palmer Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer ( ; born August 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer, and television personality. She has received numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and a Screen Act ...

, Hala Al Turk,

Nelly Furtado Nelly Kim Furtado ( , ; born December 2, 1978) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 45 million records, including 35 million in album sales worldwide, making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. Critics have noted ...

Brian McKnight Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. (born Brian Kelly McKnight; June 5, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, radio personality, and multi-instrumentalist. An Contemporary R&B, R&B performer, he is recognized for his strong ...

and

LMFAO LMFAO (an initialism for Laughing My Freaking Ass Off) was an American electronic dance music duo consisting of Redfoo and Sky Blu (rapper), Sky Blu. Redfoo is the youngest son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and Nancy Leiviska. Sky Blu ...

. In the 2010s, he produced songs for

Leona Lewis Leona Louise Lewis (born 3 April 1985) is a British singer, songwriter, actress, model, and activist. Born and raised in Islington, Inner London, she later attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. Lewis achieve ...

JLS JLS (initialism for Jack the Lad Swing) are a British boy band consisting of members Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill; Williams formed the band. They initially signed with Tracklacers production company New Tr ...

Kylie Minogue Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Frequently referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Princess of Pop", she has achieved recognition in both the music industry and fas ...

. Jerkins was a music executive and mentor on season 10 of ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

''. In 2013, Jerkins was hired on to be a producer for Michael Jackson's posthumous album Xscape. He originally worked on the title track for the album from 1999 to 2001. He is the only producer to work on the original version and reworking version of the title track. When asked by Ryan Seacrest in 2013 the favourite people he's produced for he said "Definitely

. 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." In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, Jerkins produced a song featuring the Palestinian 2013 ''Arab Idol'' winner

Mohammed Assaf Mohammed Jaber Abdul Rahman Assaf (; born 1 September 1990) is a Palestinian pop singer well known for being the winner of the second season of ''Arab Idol'', broadcast by the MBC network. His victory received worldwide coverage from the media a ...

. In 2017, he produced ''Blind'' and ''Makings of You'' for

Tamar Braxton Tamar Estine Braxton (born March 17, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. Braxton began her career in 1990 as a founding member of The Braxtons, an R&B singing group formed with her sisters. The Braxtons r ...

Record labels

In 1999, Jerkins joined

Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), cong ...

to promote singer

Rhona Bennett Rhona Bennett, also known as Miss R&B, is an American singer and actress best known for her recurring role as Nicole on ''The Jamie Foxx Show''. She is currently a member of the R&B group En Vogue. Bennett began her career doing voiceovers and ...

, Pop/R&B girl group

So Plush So Plush was an American Contemporary R&B, R&B group composed of Rhonda Roussel, Donielle Carter, Raquel Campbell and T. J. Lottie who was signed to Epic Records in the 1990s. Their debut single "Damn (Should've Treated U Right)" featuring Ja Rule ...

, and rapper Fats. Fats appeared on two tracks on which Jerkins produced for

's album ''

Invincible Invincible may refer to: Film and television * ''Invincible'' (2001 theatrical film), a drama by Werner Herzog about Jewish cabaret during the rise of Nazism * ''Invincible'' (2001 TV film), a fantasy/martial arts TV movie starring Billy Za ...

'', 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 released in Japan. In 2005, Darkchild Records reemerged when Jerkins signed acts including

Shamari Fears Shamari DeVoe ( Fears) is an American singer. DeVoe gained notice in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the girl group Blaque. DeVoe portrayed Lava in the comedy film ''Bring It On'' (2000). She has also appeared on the Bravo reality televisio ...

, formerly of R&B group

Blaque Blaque ( ) is an American girl group; they had songs chart from 1999 to 2004. Outside of the United States and Canada, they are known as Blaque Ivory. Their self-titled debut album ''Blaque'' sold more than 1 million copies and was certified ...

, female MC Asia Lee,

dancehall Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots reggae, roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2 ...

artist Atiba, crossover act Natasha Bradley, 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 Joy Enriquez is an American singer and actress who has appeared on the television series '' 7th Heaven'' and also starred in films such as ''Chasing Papi'' and '' Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure'' (voice). Enriquez was also a background ...

'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,

Music Mogul, Inc.

In late 2008, Jerkins joined Nicholas Longano, Ray Brown, and Jonathan E. Eubanks in creating Music Mogul, Inc. MusicMogul.com was an online portal where artists can communicate with their fans. Each quarter, members vote for the best video performances. The top performers were then flown to Los Angeles to compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The winner would get a demo deal with Darkchild Productions. The site appears to be defunct as of 2024.

Personal life

Jerkins has been married to singer

since April 4, 2004. The two met when he worked on her debut album. The couple has four children. In 2015, his five-year-old daughter Heavenly Joy was a contestant on

season 10 A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and polar ...

of ''

America's Got Talent ''America's Got Talent'' (often abbreviated as ''AGT'') is an American talent show competition, and is part of the global ''Got Talent'' franchise created by Simon Cowell. The program is produced by Fremantle (as well as distributed by) and ...

''.

Singles discography and other charted songs

Appearances and production discography

Notable productions

* 1995: Intro - "Strung Out On Your Lovin'" * 1996: Aaliyah - "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" * 1997: No Authority - "Don't Stop" * 1998: Brandy and Monica – "The Boy Is Mine" * 1998: Brandy – "Angel in Disguise" * 1998: Monica – "Angel of Mine" * 1998: Whitney Houston – "It's Not Right but It's Okay" * 1999: Destiny's Child – "Say My Name" * 1999: Chante Moore -"If I Gave Love" * 1999: Jennifer Lopez – "If You Had My Love" * 2000: Toni Braxton – "He Wasn't Man Enough" * 2000: Spice Girls – "Holler" * 2001: Michael Jackson – "You Rock My World" * 2001: Michael Jackson - "Unbreakable" * 2001: Britney Spears – "Overprotected" (The Darkchild Remix) * 2001: Jessica Simpson – "I Never" * 2001: Jessica Simpson – "Imagination" * 2002: Brandy – "What About Us?" * 2002: Monica – "All Eyez on Me" * 2002: Monica - "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" * 2002: TLC – "Turntable" * 2004: Destiny's Child – "Lose My Breath" * 2004: Tyra Banks – "Shake Ya Body" * 2005: Destiny's Child – "Cater 2 U" * 2006: Beyoncé (featuring Jay-Z) – "Déjà Vu" * 2006: Ciara (featuring 50 Cent) – "Can't Leave 'em Alone" * 2008: Tiffany Evans (featuring Bow Wow) - "I'm Grown" * 2008: Janet Jackson – "Feedback" * 2008: Brandy – "Right Here (Departed)" * 2008: The Pussycat Dolls – "When I Grow Up" * 2008: Beyoncé – "Scared of Lonely" * 2009: Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé – "Telephone" * 2011: The Black Eyed Peas – "Just Can't Get Enough" * 2011: Kelly Rowland (featuring Lil' Playy)- "Work It Man" * 2012: Justin Bieber – "As Long as You Love Me" * 2012: Leona Lewis – "Shake You Up" * 2014: Mariah Carey – "You're Mine (Eternal)" * 2014: Mary J. Blige – "A Night To Remember" * 2014: Ariana Grande (featuring ASAP Ferg) - "Hands on Me" * 2014: Sam Smith – "Stay with Me" * 2014: Michael Jackson - "Xscape" * 2017: Tamar Braxton – "Blind" * 2018: Chromeo (featuring French Montana and Stefflon Don) - "Don't Sleep" * 2017: Tamar Braxton – "The Makings Of You" * 2019: Baekhyun - "Diamond" * 2021: NCT 127 - "Favorite (Vampire)" * 2022: SZA - "Shirt" * 2023: Kali Uchis - "Endlessly" * 2023: Tori Kelly - "Cut" * 2025: Jon Keith (featuring Alex Jean) - "EYES ON US"

Guest raps

* 1995: Hodge – "Head Nod" (Darkchild Remix) * 1996:

New Edition New Edition is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B/Pop music, pop group from the Roxbury, Boston, Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson ...

with AZ – "Something About You" (Darkchild Remix) * 1997:

Tasha Holiday Tasha Holiday is an American contemporary R&B singer who was signed to MCA Records in the 1990s. Her biggest success was with the single "Just the Way You Like It (song), Just the Way You Like It" which peaked in the top thirty of the ''Billboar ...

– " Just The Way You Like It" (Darkchild Remix) with

Lil' Cease James Lloyd, better known by his stage name Lil' Cease, (; born August 20, 1977) is an American rapper and former member of hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. Early life, family and education James Lloyd was born in Brooklyn, a borough of New Y ...

Peter Gunz Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz were an American hip hop duo, composed of rappers Sean "Lord Tariq" Hamilton and Peter "Peter Gunz" Pankey, from The Bronx, New York. They are best known for their 1997 single "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)", which reached the ...

and Mike Nitty * 1997: MQ3 – "Everyday" * 1997:

Immature Mature is the adjectival form of maturity, as immature is the adjectival form of immaturity, which have several meanings. Mature or immature may also refer to: *Mature, a character from ''The King of Fighters'' series *"Mature 17+", a rating in ...

– "I Can't Wait" with Mike Nitty * 1997:

– "Everything" (Darkchild Remix) with

Fat Joe Joseph Antonio Cartagena (born August 19, 1970), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper. He began recording as a member of Hip-hop, hip hop group D.I.T.C., Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) in 1992, and pursued a sol ...

* 1997: K-Ball – "On the Weekend", "Love Matters" * 1998:

& The Nu Nation Project – "Revolution" * 1998: Keith Washington – "Bring It On" (Darkchild Remix) * 1999:

– "Top of the World" (Darkchild Remix) with

and

Big Pun Christopher Lee Rios (November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000), better known by his stage name Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was an American rapper. Emerging from the underground hip hop scene in the Bronx, he came to prominence upon discover ...

* 2000: Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale – "Act Like You Know" with

* 2001: So Plush – "What You Do to Me" with

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and television producer. Born in Queens, a borough of New York City, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 1996. In 1999–2000, ...

and Fats, "Ain't My Fault" * 2001:

Rhona Rhona is the name of: * Rhona Adair (1878–1961), British golf champion * Rhona Bennett (born 1976), American singer, actress and model * Rhona Brankin (born 1950), Labour Co-operative politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament * Rhona ...

– "Satisfied" (Another Darkchild Remix) with Fats * 2002: Jay Mathis – "Kiss" with Pain and Fats * 2002:

– "He Said" with Fats * 2002: K-Young – "Ballinest Player" with Lil' Zal * 2002: K-Young – "Ooh Wee" * 2002: Shawn Desman – "Sexy" * 2003: Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale – "Good Life" * 2004:

Kierra "Kiki" Sheard Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly (born June 20, 1987) is an American gospel singer and evangelist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard and COGIC Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and the granddaughter of gospel choral dire ...

– "You Don't Know" * 2005:

– "Don't You Let Go" * 2005: Anesha Birchett – "Get Ready" with

Mase Mason Durell Betha (born August 27, 1975), better known by his stage name Mase (often stylized as Ma$e), is an American rapper. Best known for his work with Sean Combs, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records, he signed with the label in 1996 ...

* 2005: Atiba – "Flossin" with

Francisco Francisco is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the masculine given name ''Franciscus''. Meaning of the name Francisco In Spanish, people with the name Francisco are sometimes nicknamed "Paco (name), Paco". Francis of Assisi, San Francisco de A ...

* 2006: The Darkchild Allstars – "We Are Family" * 2007:

- "Can't Let Go" * 2008:

The Pussycat Dolls The Pussycat Dolls were an American girl group and dance ensemble, founded in Los Angeles, California, by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a neo-burlesque troupe. At the suggestion of Jimmy Iovine, Antin decided to take the troupe mainstrea ...

With

Diddy Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Diddy, and formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and record executive. Born in Harlem and raised in Mount Vernon, Combs worked as a ...

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

, &

Fatman Scoop Isaac Freeman III (August 6, 1968 – August 31, 2024), better known by his stage name Fatman Scoop, was an American hip-hop recording artist and radio personality. Noted for his booming, raw vocal presence on various hip-hop songs, he was best k ...

– " When I Grow Up" (Darkchild Remix) * 2008:

- "Reloaded" (unreleased song)

Unreleased tracks

* 1999:

- "Life Like This" * 1999:

- "Rampage" * 1999:

- "A Deeper Love" * 2000:

- "Girl Like Me" * 2000:

- "Everything" * 2001:

- "Cheater" (Reworked) * 2001:

- "Chicago 1945" (Reworked) * 2001:

- "Get Around" * 2001:

- "Get Your Weight Of Off Me" * 2001:

- "Kick It" * 2001:

- "Maybe We Can Do It" * 2001:

- "Pressure" * 2001:

- "Seduction" * 2001:

- "The Pain" * 2011:

- "This Cannot Be Love"

Video cameos

* 1995: Hodge – "Head Nod" (Darkchild Remix) * 1996:

Gina Thompson Gina Thompson (born Lugenia Thompson; November 10, 1976) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer. Born to Edward L. Thompson, Sr. and Eugenia Thompson, Gina Thompson began singing at an early age and was signed to her first recording contrac ...

(featuring

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971), also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began her musical career as a member of the Contemporary R&B, R&B girl group 4 All the Sistas Arou ...

) – " The Things That U Do (Bad Boy Remix)" * 1997: No Authority – "Don't Stop" * 1998:

& The Nu Nation Project – "Revolution" * 1998: J'Son - I Should've Cheat on You * 2000: So Plush – "Things I've Heard Before" * 2001:

– "Satisfied" * 2002:

– "What About Us?" * 2002: Monica – "All Eyez on Me" * 2006: Natasha – "Hey, Hey, Hey" and "So Sick" * 2006:

Shareefa Shareefa Faradah Cooper (born March 12, 1984), known professionally as Shareefa, is an American R&B singer. Shareefa has lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. She signed with Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam Recordings in 2005. Her first single, " Ne ...

– "Cry No More" * 2006: J. Holiday – "Be with Me" * 2008:

– "Right Here (Departed)"

Web series

Jerkins is currently starring with Johnny Wright in a number of episodes of the YOBI.tv '' Take the Stage'' web series.

References

External links

Darkchild official website

Myspace of Darkchild Music

Fred Jerkins' Darkchild Gospel

''Ebony Magazine'' interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jerkins, Rodney 1977 births Living people 20th-century African-American musicians 20th-century American keyboardists 21st-century African-American musicians 21st-century American keyboardists Absegami High School alumni African-American male songwriters African-American record producers American electronic musicians American gospel musicians American hip-hop record producers American dance-pop musicians Grammy Award winners Musicians from Orlando, Florida People from Pleasantville, New Jersey People from Galloway Township, New Jersey Songwriters from New Jersey Songwriters from Florida