Author: JD

Jermaine Dupri has been everywhere lately, and that’s definitely not a bad thing when the industry legend is also a resident DJ at Tryst Nightclub. JD has been on-hand for some major events lately, including the official fight after-party for WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, as well as JD’s own birthday, where guests got to party alongside superstars like Ne-Yo and Dave Chappelle. Amidst all the craziness, we caught up with JD this week to answer a quick Q&A with some key questions about his work and the EDM industry. Check out the results below, and be sure to reserve tickets to his show this Saturday, at Tryst Nightclub. (RESERVE) WS: Most people know you primarily as a music producer and songwriter. When and how did you get into DJing and what drew you to having a DJ residency at Tryst Nightclub? JD: DJing was the thing I wanted to do before I became the producer everyone knows. I was in Vegas working with Usher and we went out one night and we hit all the clubs and I was like man!!! It would be cool if I got a residency out here. I guess I wished it into existence.   (Comedians Dave Chappelle (L) and Finesse Mitchell (R) with Jermaine Dupri at Tryst Nightclub for JD’s birthday party.) WS: How does Tryst and the Las Vegas atmosphere differ from all the other clubs you have played around the world? JD: It’s the most exciting atmosphere of them all because it’s always people from everywhere!! which gives you the opportunity to go deeper with your love of music, and the dj booth is outside haaaaaaa Even with his busy residency schedule, the industry veteran is not interested in slowing down anytime soon. He’s currently in the middle of Mariah Carey’s single release for “The Art of Letting Go,” which the songstress will be performing on Jimmy Fallon tonight. After being named Carey’s new manager in October, the talented duo has been working closely on the Mariah’s highly anticipated new album. WS: Everyone knows about your involvement in Mariah Carey’s new album. How are you influencing the development of Mariah’s new record, and can we expect any EDM-inspired elements? JD:With the new MC album I did my own songs as I always do as a producer, but this time I’m in with her as her manager, working with her and the other producers. (Tim Bradley and JD after Bradley’s championship win against Marquez. Official fight after-party held at Tryst Nightclub.) Dupri is known by many as one of the most successful producers and songwriters in the biz, having previously worked on such Carey classics as “We Belong Together” and “Always Be My Baby.” On the non-production front, he recently helped JBL launch their new Synchro S700 headphones, hosting their “Dare to Listen” event in Los Angeles. The event featured a DJ set by Dupri to celebrate the new specially formulated headphones that recreate the live-music experience. WS:What are your thoughts on the explosion of dance music in popular culture, and how has its’ development shaped your work personally? JD: I love what dance music has done for the DJ. It’s really made one of the most important people in the history of the club, feel the way they’ve always wanted too. And for me, it’s made me wanna take the production aspect to another level.   (Jermaine Dupri and Daddy Yankee at the DJ’s birthday party at Tryst Nightclub earlier this year.) WS: You’ve worked with a multitude of talented artists. Who are some of the people you have vibed best with in the studio? JD: Mariah and I in the studio is always a great vibe. Me and Usher…Everyone that I work with [most frequently] always [has] a great vibe.   Reporting by Emily Goldberg