Best of Full Interview: Jermaine Dupri Talks 'Magic City: An American Fantasy,' New Album, Billboard, Mariah Carey + More

Summary

"The Breakfast Club" – Best Of Full Interview: Jermaine Dupri on 'Magic City: An American Fantasy,' Atlanta Culture, New Album, Mariah Carey & More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club
Air Date: December 22, 2025
Host(s): DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Jermaine Dupri

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Episode Overview

This episode features a comprehensive interview with legendary producer and music mogul Jermaine Dupri (JD). The discussion centers on his new documentary series Magic City: An American Fantasy, his upcoming album, the significance of Atlanta strip club and music culture, his impact on breaking records and shaping artists, and his reflections on working with icons like Mariah Carey and Usher. Experimental, honest, and full of behind-the-scenes insight, it’s an exploration of Southern hip hop, legacy, and the changing nature of the music industry.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atlanta Culture and the Magic City Docuseries

• What Defines Atlanta Culture?

  • JD highlights strip clubs, skating, and bass music as core elements of Atlanta culture, noting that Atlanta’s proliferation of strip clubs was tied to unique local laws – not just Black promotion (05:08).
  • Quote: “Even me growing up, I never realized why it was so many strip clubs in Atlanta...you learn from the documentary that this was a law that was passed in the city.” – Jermaine Dupri (05:19)

• Strip Clubs as Cultural Infrastructure

  • Charlemagne frames Magic City as more than just nightlife, but also as “infrastructure”—a hub for breaking records and launching careers (07:24).

• Why Magic City Stands Out

  • JD emphasizes Magic’s safety and star power: “You can go in Magic with all your jewelry on…whatever would happen somewhere else ain't getting ready to happen in Magic...I go to Magic without security” (09:13).

• Spending in Strip Clubs

  • They discuss the evolution of how much is thrown (“The other night, when Chris Brown was in Atlanta, they spent $200,000 in Magic City…My little 500 to a thousand over there...is like a hundred dollars” – JD, 10:28).

2. How Atlanta Breaks Records: Strip Clubs, Skating Rinks, and Community

• Organic Music Discovery

  • “In a lounge setting, music is just played…You can see at that point, this was not forced. That’s the most organic thing that we still have left in the music business.” – Jermaine Dupri (14:55)
  • Strip clubs and skating rinks both serve as spaces to test and break records for Atlanta artists (27:16).

• Changing Attitudes & Gender Inclusion

  • Early on, non-dancing females looked down on dancers and avoided strip clubs, but over time, women started attending, changing the energy (16:00).

3. Atlanta’s Musical Evolution and Current Scene

• Has Atlanta Lost Its Sound?

  • JD counters that instead of losing its voice, Atlanta’s “subculture of these female rappers” like Pluto, YK Bankroll, and Nia Barnaby is being ignored by mainstream media, which is too focused on high-profile legal cases (17:53).
  • Quote: “Right now...mainstream media is promoting this as Ratlanta. That’s not where I live at…these girls...they have a real movement going that is being ignored.” – JD (18:42)

• Artist Development & Media Critique

  • JD says artists need to “run the circuit” and do real-life promotion (21:14).
  • “You can’t just put your shit online and expect people to come to you.” – Charlamagne (23:21)

4. The A&R Debate and Lessons from JD’s Career

• State of A&R (Artists & Repertoire)

  • JD agrees A&Rs are still needed, both for artist and for their own development; he criticizes “babysitter” A&Rs too focused on being friends to artists instead of pushing them (28:14).
  • “The A&R’s is acting more like babysitters...people trying to be friends...as opposed to creative criticism.” – JD (28:17)

• Underrated Legacy & Telling His Story

  • JD reflects on being considered underrated despite his well-documented track record, including his recent recognition as “#1 producer of the 21st century of hip hop and R&B,” per Billboard (29:42).
  • “I feel like the tide is changing...when God wants you to get your flowers, he gonna give them to you. You don't rush it.” – JD (29:42)

5. Working with Icons: Mariah Carey, Usher, and Aretha Franklin

• Mariah Carey’s Comeback

  • JD humbly credits Mariah’s own talent for her longevity, but acknowledges his role in broadening her Black audience and launching a “second wave” with Emancipation of Mimi (34:10, 69:07).
  • “I think I might have made more Black people like her...but she still Mariah Carey.” – JD (69:47)

• Brutal Honesty in the Studio

  • JD shares lessons learned from working with Aretha Franklin about being forthright with artists, and how he pushed Mariah Carey to add the iconic final note to “We Belong Together” (35:53, 44:21).

• Usher’s Reluctance and Trust

  • “Usher didn’t like ‘You Make Me Wanna’…At this point in time, Usher was still not sure where his career was gonna go, so he still cut the song, luckily” (48:23).

6. Atlanta’s Hip-Hop Origin Story

• Who Gets Credit?

  • JD is adamant that Kris Kross deserves credit for being Atlanta’s first rap group to sell millions, “but when you start having a conversation about Kris Kross, people start trying to make it seem like it’s kitty rap,” despite their impact inspiring TI, Killer Mike, and others (51:26).

• Music Moguls Then and Now

  • The ‘90s offered more visible industry role models for moguls (Russell Simmons, Andre Harrell), whereas now Atlanta—and the South in general—lacks such figures, which affects artist aspirations and business models (53:16).

7. Media, Podcasts, and Regional Identity

• The Power of Local Media
  • The group hails the emergence of figures like Bank (of Big Facts) as Atlanta’s must-go-to hip-hop interviewer, and discuss the need for more regional media personalities to break free from New York’s media dominance (61:27).

8. Personal Reflections and Motivation

• Mission & Sacrifice

  • JD states his greatest sacrifice is lack of a personal life, focusing only on music: “All you care about is putting out records...That’s what it is. I don’t care about nothing else.” (58:34)
  • On maintaining #1 status: “Can you stay in that space? Watching Floyd and Tyson talk about they gonna fight. Floyd’s retired, but he still want to be the best...I’m not saying I’m retired. I'm out here.” (59:21)

• Media Bias and Southern Hip-Hop

  • JD encourages recognition for Southern producers and lyricists, citing longstanding media bias towards New York-centric narratives (61:27).

• Future Plans

  • JD aims to revisit early successes with new wisdom: “A lot of stuff that I did...I didn’t know what I was doing...go back and do it in a way now that I know.” (56:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Atlanta Strip Clubs:
  “It was a strip club damn near every corner or in every hood in Atlanta...I just thought we was just a strip club place, but...you’re like, oh, it’s a law that was passed.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (05:19)

• On the State of Music Media:
  “Mainstream media is promoting this as Ratlanta...If you want to talk about that, cool. But don’t say ‘Atlanta fell off’ and you ain’t mentioning these girls...or JID’s new album.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (18:42)

• On Artist Development:
  “Nobody’s Beyonce. Everybody got to stop doing that. You can’t just put your shit online and expect people to come to you.”
  — Charlamagne Tha God (23:07, 23:21)

• On A&R Reality:
  “The A&R’s is acting more like babysitters...people trying to be friends with people as opposed to giving them creative criticism.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (28:17)

• On Legacy:
  “When God wants you to get your flowers, he gonna give them to you. You don’t rush it.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (29:42)

• On Breaking Female Rappers:
  “Did I not get y’all the Brat first? I have the ability to talk about female rappers more than anybody because I’m the one that took the chance to even try to see if it worked right.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (32:01)

• On Working with Mariah Carey:
  “If you don’t hit the note at the end of [‘We Belong Together’], the record ain’t gonna be what people want...we gotta give them what they want.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (36:16)

• On His Life's Sacrifice:
  “Life? I don’t really have no life. I just be making music.”
  — Jermaine Dupri (58:34)

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Timestamps for Significant Moments

• Atlanta’s Strip Club Legacy & Laws – 05:08 to 09:01
• Magic City’s Influence, Safety & Star Power – 09:13–11:41
• Record-Breaking in Strip Clubs/Skating Culture – 14:43–15:54; 27:01–27:54
• State of Atlanta’s Music Scene & Female Rappers – 17:44–22:08
• A&R and Artist Growth Debate – 28:01–29:42
• JD’s Reflections on Awards and Legacy – 29:42–33:11
• Mariah Carey: Studio Stories & Impact – 34:10–37:14, 44:17–47:24
• Kris Kross & Atlanta Origin Stories – 51:07–53:16
• Media, Podcasts and Regional Influence – 61:15–63:29
• JD on Personal Sacrifice and Motivation – 58:30–59:21
• Future Ambitions & Lessons Learned – 56:31–57:03

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Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, humorous, and reflective, balancing technical music industry analysis with playful banter. Dupri is open, self-effacing when discussing his legacy, and passionate about championing Atlanta’s overlooked voices—especially female rappers. The hosts mix rapid-fire questions, nostalgia, and respect for JD’s status and contributions.

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Final Notes

• JD plugs his upcoming album (set for release with the Magic City doc’s last episode), hinting at sample clearance delays (70:05).
• The show closes with the hosts expressing gratitude and admiration for JD’s influence on hip-hop and R&B.

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For listeners:
This episode is a must-hear for anyone interested in Atlanta’s cultural history, the mechanics of the music business, or firsthand accounts from one of hip-hop’s most influential producers.

Transcript

[Jermaine Dupri]

This is an Iheart podcast.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Guaranteed human peace of the planet. Charlamagne Tha God here. And the end of the year is the time to set the foundation for next year. New ideas, new product drops, new goals. And when I'm building anything meaningful, I need the right tools. That's why I always tell folks, especially black entrepreneurs and small black owned businesses, Shopify is the move. We use it at the Black Effect Podcast network. And I've seen firsthand how it helps creators and business owners grow with confidence. Okay, Shopify is like having a whole team behind you. You, your chief of staff, your personal assistant, your co founder, all in one platform. Wherever your people are, Shopify makes sure your business can meet them where they're at. So if you're ready to take the next step in your life, whether it's merch products or anything in between, get on shopify.com ben and make it happen. It is time to stop putting off your future and start your new role as your own boss.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Today, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. A season filled with family dinners, laughter, and holiday shopping. But even in the middle of all of that joy, everyone needs a moment to slow down. The little pause between the music, the memories and the madness. And nothing makes that break better than an ice cold Coca Cola. It's that quick refresh that turns the holiday rush into calm, making the moment feel just right. It's the breath between the laughter and the late night rapping sessions. Because the best part of the holidays isn't having it all together. It's enjoying it while it's happening. Enjoy your Coca Cola. Refresh your holidays.

[State Farm Narrator]

This weekend, one of the homers mentioned he closed on a new crib. While everyone's asking about a housewarming, you're asking the real questions. Like, who is his State Farm agent? See, homeownership is one thing, but the right coverage is the real game changer. It's how you protect your legacy. A State Farm agent can help you with finding the right coverage for your new place. And even help you file a claim over the phone, in person, online, or on the app. They're ready to help you and they don't drop the ball. You know what I mean? Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[DJ Envy]

Hey, what up, y'?

[Jermaine Dupri]

All?

[DJ Envy]

It's DJ Envy. And the holidays are here. The time of year that's all about connecting with loved ones in person or over the phone. In fact, hearing someone's voice can evoke a similar emotional response as a hug. And while most of us can hop on a video chat to really bring that connection to life. Using tech isn't easy for everyone, especially some of the older folk in our lives. AT&T has been doing something special here to help. They offer digital literacy workshops that help older adults learn how to use technology to do things most of us take for granted, like video conferencing and sharing photos. Take Nancy Shand. She joined one of AT&T's workshops to learn how to video chat for the first time this holiday season. Nancy won't just be hearing about family gatherings, she'll be a part of them, sharing stories, opening presents, and making memories all through a screen. Nobody should have to go through the holiday season alone, so be sure to connect and stay connected to your loved ones this holiday season.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Connecting changes everything.

[Cascali Patient]

@&T I'm Carolyn. I have metastatic breast cancer.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I was concerned after my diagnosis. Cascali gives me more life for living.

[Cascali Patient]

Since I've been prescribed, I've seen a daughter get married. I now have a grandchild and another.

[Jermaine Dupri]

One on the way.

[Cascali Patient]

Gascali ribociclib, 200 milligram tablets with hormone therapy is for adults with HR positive metastatic breast cancer. Do not take with tamoxifen. In the clinical study, at 80 months, women taking Cascali plus letrozole lived over a year longer versus letrozole alone. Individual results may vary. Qasqali may cause serious skin reactions, liver problems and low white blood cell counts that may result in serious infections. Life threatening lung problems and abnormal heartbeats can occur. Your doctor should test your heart and blood before and during treatment. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening cough, chest pain or dizziness before taking Kiskali. Tell your doctor all your medical conditions, medicines you take and if you're breastfeeding, pregnant or planning to be as it can harm an unborn baby. Common side effects include nausea, headache and tiredness. Real patient compensated for her time. Learn [e-mail] hold up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every day I wake up.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club Finished or y' all done?

[DJ Envy]

Morning everybody. It's DJ Envy Jess. Hilarious Charlamagne tha God we are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, indeed.

[Jermaine Dupri]

J.D. jermaine Dupree. What's happening?

[DJ Envy]

How you feeling?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He looking at the wall.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I'm looking at the wall.

[DJ Envy]

We ain't got JD on the wall.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, no.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't know. Yeah, I don't think. I don't think I made the wall. That's all right.

[DJ Envy]

I ain't got J.D. on the wall.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, y' all ain't got me up there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, no, see, the wall represents, like, iconic Breakfast Club moments. Not that you haven't given us great interviews.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I haven't had a.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know what I'm saying?

[Jermaine Dupri]

You have had some, you know, Throw a chair. Yeah, I'm out of there. I'm out of that conversation.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you have always coming in and giving. Giving us great conversation, man. And I've been enjoying the Magic City docu series.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And it got me to thinking about, like, just Atlanta. Like, in Atlanta's had a lot of different runs as far as music is concerned. But what is Atlanta culture exactly? Is it this. Is it the strip clubs?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. 100. That. That's one of the things skating, you know? And, you know, I think, like, it's a bunch of different things, like the bass music and a bunch of different things, but we haven't. We've never really highlighted these things the way I guess I'm trying to do and make sure that people understand that that's what it is. Because I think, like, people think, like, even with the strip club situation, it was me and whoever else was promoting this from a long time ago, just black people trying to promote strip clubs. And you learn from the documentary that this was a law that was passed in the city and might be more states in the south, that nudity was something that they opened the floodgates and made it a business. Right. So even me growing up, I never realized why it was so many strip clubs in Atlanta. Atlanta. It was a strip club damn near every corner or in every hood in Atlanta. And I never understood. I just thought we was just a strip club place. But when you look at this documentary, you start going outside and looking at all the other places, like in Florida and all these other places, you're like, oh, it's a law that was passed. Right? And I used to come to, like, New York when we used to do things in wherever. I go to other cities and be like, man, why these cities ain't popping like Atlanta with the strip clubs? And the law is a real law that gave us the entryway to just have this going. So, yeah, that's a. That's an Atlanta thing, you know?

[DJ Envy]

Is Magic City the. The biggest strip club and the most recognized strip club in the US to you what you think? What's your thoughts on it?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah, I think. I mean, I think it's been. It's been a couple, you know, over the years. I think magic is in the Top three, of course, but like booby trapping Miami.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

King of Diamonds.

[Jermaine Dupri]

King of Diamonds wouldn't. I mean, you know, Miami's always had, you know, I mean, they've always had these strip clubs.

[DJ Envy]

Turnover yet.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

V Live.

[Jermaine Dupri]

V Live. I think that's Houston.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Houston.

[DJ Envy]

Houston.

[Jermaine Dupri]

So I think Houston, there's a couple of places that's got. But I don't think Houston can get naked though. That's the thing. It's like we talking about nudity. As far as strip clubs, it's Miami and Miami, I think they do topless in Houston.

[DJ Envy]

But yeah, Atlanta was nudity. Nudity, yeah. So what made you want to.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does Atlanta need that infrastructure now? Because that's what. When I think about Magic City, I know people look at it as just a titty ball, but when I'm watching the daca, even just growing up, I think of it as infrastructure. It's one place where people went to break records.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, I, that's, that's the thing. Like I was gonna answer your question. The reason why I wanted to do it is because, you know, we don't talk about the places that actually helped us get to where we are. You know, I mean, that, that part of hip hop stopped a long time ago. Like when you watch like Wild Style, right? When there's a person that's not from New York, I watch Wild Style. You can see like how Grandmaster cast them, what they was doing to become and made what made hip hop turn into what it was here in New York. And in, in the later years of hip hop, what shows or anything show kids what, how we got, you know what I mean, how we got to where we are. And I think that, you know, it's important for black establishments to show like it's a 40 year old black establishment. The owner went to jail, they tried to sell his property, he took it back over and now it's back popping in that he got a TV show. Like that's American Dream, you know what I mean? Like regardless of whatever, good or bad, it's a black American dream that we don't ever really be talking about.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does Atlanta need that infrastructure now?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Huh?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does it need it now?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. 100. Yeah. I mean, we need it more than any. Everybody. I mean not just Atlanta. Like a bunch of cities need to. It's probably a bunch of other cities that's got like 40 to 50 year old black establishments that I don't, that I don't even know about.

[DJ Envy]

What do you think ruined strip clubs? Because at one time there was a strip Club in every city. They were always big. There was 15 in Atlanta. There was 10 in New York. What do you think ruined the strip club safety?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Right? That. I think that's why Magic stands out so much. Because you can go in Magic with all your jury on, you can go on Magic and be the biggest star in the world and be standing next to the biggest criminal in the world, but whatever would happen somewhere else ain't getting ready to happen in Magic. And, you know, I mean, and I say that proudly because even me, I go to Magic without security, like, because the security in there going to take care of me. Like. Like, they. Like, if they was working for me. And I feel like it's the safest club in Atlanta. So I feel like that. I feel like the safety of strip clubs and how Magic ran the club, strip club etiquette, I think that is. That. That's what killed strip clubs for the.

[DJ Envy]

Most part now also, I noticed, you know, growing up when we used to go to strip clubs, you go with.

[Jermaine Dupri]

A couple dollars, right?

[DJ Envy]

And you would. You would be fine all night. That's totally changed one shit.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, no, that's not. That's not. That's just your mental. Okay, Right. That's just people's mental space, right? Because I go to a club now and, you know, I don't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

If.

[Jermaine Dupri]

If the. If Magic City's, like, overly crowded, I'll go stand by the bar and I might spend five hundred to a thousand dollars that. That, you know. And by the way, J.D.

[DJ Envy]

That'S still a lot of money. I was talking about $100, J.D.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Okay?

[DJ Envy]

Thousand dollars at the bar.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I'm just saying, let me put this in perspective so everybody understand what's happening. The other night, when Chris Brown was in Atlanta, they spent $200,000 in Magic City. So my little 500 to a thousand over there in that corner is like a hundred dollars, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because I hear when people say those numbers, and I'm like, I don't believe that.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, I swear to God.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Two hundred thousand.

[Jermaine Dupri]

God. A hundred went to Chris, right?

[DJ Envy]

I've seen people order 1 0,000 singles.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. I mean, 100 went to Chris, without a doubt. And Magic, in Magic, they go. When you. When you order the money, they bring a Magic City bag in the backpack for you. Backpack.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got one.

[Jermaine Dupri]

So the backpack had a hunted in it. Jada, Waiter, y' all know J, she got about a dub, right? I think maybe more P from QC. I think he ordered 40 right then and there. You know, that's. That's 160 right there. You know what I'm saying? Chris by himself had 100. That's what I'm saying. So if you start splitting it up, I think Bow wow probably got 10 or 15, 20. You were 200 fast.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So when you was in the back in the day with bmf, how much did you see them spend?

[Jermaine Dupri]

At one point on my album, I have a conversation with Meech, and he says he spent 600,0001 night.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's insanity.

[DJ Envy]

That's crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the most you spend? And now you was in there with Janet. What did you spend?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, I had a limit. Like, when everybody heard me say I spent $10,000, that was my limit. So once I got to that 10, I wasn't trying. But by the way, I'm not in there trying to compete. I always felt like, you know, at one point in time, when BMF came or when BMF grew, because I've been in the club with Meech for a long time before BMF was a crew like that. And we used to be at the gentleman's club back in. When you watched the episode where Magic supposedly was burnt down or whatever, and everybody went to the gentleman's club. That's back in the period of time when I actually met Meech. And Meech didn't have the crew. The crew of people with him. And we was in the gentleman's club, and in the gentleman's club, it wasn't about. It wasn't. It was like, what he saying? We weren't really throwing the money. We was just, like, giving the girls the money, right? And that's. That's where I. That's where the whole confusion about who started throwing the money came from. Because I start. I started doing this in Money in a Thing video. And I know people want to say they did it and did it. Well, you find a video that came out before Money anything where you see rappers throwing money like this, right? And that. I never had a. Like, it wasn't about me trying to challenge nobody. It got. It got to be like, when Meeching Them crew came and it was like, oh, damn, they throwing more money. We gotta throw. It became like a money war. I was never. I was never part of that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was thinking about you too, man, watching this documentary, because especially thinking about everything that's going on in Atlanta now. Did you purpose. Because you was outside, you was outside connected with everybody. Did you purposely stay away from rappers that were two in the street?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah, I Just, I'm not, I'm not a street guy like that. I mean, I mean, I'm like, I, I, I'm a real hip hop person, right? A purist, basically, right? And I don't believe that you should be rapping about that you don't actually do. Right. I've been that guy, right. If you ain't in the jury and you ain't don't talk about it. If you ain't fly, you don't be getting. Then don't be making raps about it. Right? And I never had no reason to talk about me selling no dough. That ain't, that just ain't been my life, right. I ain't come up like that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What about signing artists that I have.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Signed artists like, I mean, Brat smoke more weed than damn this lube dog. But, you know, I mean, it wasn't like, it wasn't from a drug dealer perspective, from an actual stoner perspective, right. I just think the perspective of how we, I never was trying to sell, like I said, selling, selling drugs. But I mean, you know, all the artists, I think, damn, they're talking about, I mean, the Franchise Boys, you know, I mean, White Tea is about doughboys. Like every, all of that, all the music, I just think it's, it's also camouflaged in beats that make you want to dance where you're not paying attention to it. It's not this dark, imma kill you type of music, you know, that was.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The other thing about Magic City too. Why are script clubs. Why are you able to break records in strip clubs, but not like in the regular club? In the regular club, you got to play the records that keep the party going. Yeah, but in the strip club, you can try new. Why is it.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Because in, in any lounge setting, music is just played, right? It's just like, almost like getting on the elevator. When you get on the elevator, you don't care what the music is. They playing all kind of music in the elevator. Especially when you go like the Vegas, you hear all kind of stuff and you're like, you might listen, you might not. You having a conversation. It's the same way. If it's, it's ultimately, it's for a DJ to pay attention. If he play a record and y' all over there talking and then all of a sudden somebody start moving. You can see at that point, this was not forced, right? And I feel like that's the most organic thing that we still have left in the music business. It's like organically. I didn't Pay you to listen to my song? Or ain't nobody come over there over promote you to listen to my song. You just heard it and you like, damn, who was that? Who was that? That's like Quavo or something, you know. You know, you could see the emotional people trying to figure out what it is. Or you see somebody in there, Shazam. The song. This is actual real time.

[DJ Envy]

At one time were women banned from the strip club? I used to remember because I know they would be charged.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, it was a one. It was a period of time where non dancing females looked down on dances. And the gentleman's club was a gentleman's club. It wasn't no women in the gentleman's club. That's what it was called. And that's how we, that was our spot, right? But then these ladies start figuring out these guys are going to having fun, they eating and they not calling us, they not coming home. We want them to come home. What the hell is going on in this club? And then once, like I said, even like me with Janet, she wanted to go so bad and I'm like, I'm just in there having fun, kicking it with my guys, eating, blah, blah, blah. And it was like multiple times where I was like, I'm, I'm not going, not going to. And then when I take her in there, she like, oh, oh, I thought y' all was in here. I'm like, I don't know what y' all thought we was in here doing, but they, they, they thought it was something else prior to them going. And enough of them started going and they start realizing like, girl, they don't be doing nothing in there. They end up having a good time. If you are able to just party and not pay attention to the girls being naked, then you should be able to have a good time with your man or your friend or whoever that's in there. So I think that started right, that that situation started. And then guys start realizing like they didn't have to lie to their girls either because ain't nobody having sex in Magic City. You know, I mean, they got other clubs where that might be going on. But Magic City is a full on show, right? It's no way for you to be in there, you know, I mean, doing that in that club and people not see you with nothing. So that's not what happened. That's not what's happening in that club.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The other thing about Magic City, just watching the doc you. Atlanta used to pride itself on having a unique sound.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now a lot of Folks say Atlanta music just kind of like, blends into the mainstream. Do you feel like the city has lost this identity or it's just a natural evolution?

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, I was trying to figure out how we. How we talk about this, because I don't want people to get this misconstrued about me saying. Because I'm not saying anything about what's going on with Thug. But what's happening with Thugs is almost making people believe that that's just. That's all of Atlanta. Right. Meanwhile, Atlanta has a subculture of these female rappers right now with Pluto, YK Bankroll, Nia Barnaby. And they have a real thing going. They have a real motion going, and they have a real movement going that is being ignored. Like, right when they said, I saw people saying it's no song of the Summer, Wim Whammy in Atlanta was the song of the summer.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's Pluto, right?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Not just Atlanta, though.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You know what I mean? That's. That's the song of the summer, but for. For some reason, and it's the first time this ever happened to me in Atlanta. So I'm seeing. I'm trying to figure out why, but this is the first time that anybody else that's in the press, they're stealing all of the energy away from all of the artists that's out there. Like, we got Belly Gang, Kush, we got Suave. We got all these new artists that's hot. Even like, J J got a hot new record with Sierra Earth Gang.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And that's the label fault, though.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, no, no.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I love that record.

[Jermaine Dupri]

It's. It's not the label fault. It's actually. It's actually the media that all of the new artists claim that they don't want to deal with by saying they don't want gatekeepers. The media is acting like gatekeepers. And all they're talking about, all these little podcast guys, all. All they talking about is Thug. If you want to talk about that and that's what you got going, then cool. But don't say, this is Atlanta. Atlanta fell off. And you ain't mentioning these girls, you know? I mean, and you ain't mentioning Belly, and you ain't mentioning Jed new album. And you ain't like. Because that's. That now you. Now you deterring the energy that we out here putting out and making it seem like this is the only thing that's happening in Atlanta, and Atlanta never been like that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's a great conversation. You opening up. Because I'm sitting there thinking, like, back in the day, we had artists who had big records, and you maybe didn't know the artist yet, but at some point, those dots connected, like, you know, White tees, Franchise boy, all of that stuff. But then eventually you knew who the group was. Yeah, I think that's the disconnect. Like, you might hear the record but not know who the artist is. Connected.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, I mean, they gotta. They gotta work harder. But at the same time, it's like I said, it's still. Mainstream media is promoting this as Ratlana. Like, that's not. That's not. That's not where I live at. You know what I mean? And like I said, these girls, I'm just looking at these girls. And I manage Bankroll Naya, and just me coming into helping her with her career, what attracted me to it is that they doing this in a hip hop way. They using TikTok and whatever things means that they got to get what they want and actually really creating a thing in hip hop. And the only thing that's missing is mainstream media paying attention to it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think that takes. That takes sometimes people to run the circuit. Like, everybody talks about the clips, right? And they're like, yo, the clips had. It's one of the most genius rollouts. I'm like, that wasn't a genius rollout. It was just a rollout. That's what artists used to do.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Just a rollout.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So I think sometimes it takes somebody like you to say, nah, we going on the circus.

[DJ Envy]

The thing even with the Franchise boys, right? You took the franchise boys out on the road, right? You went from market to market, city to city. You spoke to DJ to DJ until it connected.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So somebody got to do that with an eye, and it got to be.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You because you JP me to make my artist, but I get you.

[DJ Envy]

Same thing with J. Like, he has to get out there. And people, like, they know his music, but do they know his face as much? Same thing with Pluto. I love the fact that Pluto is out. She's out and about. She came on the Breakfast Club, she's doing podcast. She's starting to see her face outside of her music, but we don't see that a lot anymore. And with the thing I was going to ask you, what's going on with Atlanta? I've never seen Atlanta in a place where it seems like it's been so much against each other, because Atlanta is usually the place where everybody with each other, everybody sees each other at the club, everybody sees each other. Magic City, you see everybody together, whether they on good terms or not they're together. And I've never seen Atlanta in a place where it seems like they're not connected.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But that's what I'm saying. If we put the. I mean, you're right, both sides, but if we put the eyes on these girls, they're demonstrating what you're talking about. They making records with each other. They making songs. They putting out records. Every weekend, it's one record. With Bunnabe and yk, it might be Bent Roll Night. And next weekend, this person they putting, they're showing that they cool. They kicking it. They not beefing. Even though YK and. And Pluto kind of split, but they still out here moving in a motion that. That shows the love that. What you talking about. Atlanta was prior. And that's really what I wanted to do with my album is just get back to that and just put people in spaces that I didn't. That I haven't seen people doing. So when I put, like, J Money and. And Sean Paul on the same record, that's what I was trying to do is like. Cause that is how I. That's how I grew up seeing Atlanta.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But people gotta make the rounds. That these niggas ain't Beyonce. Yeah. Some of these like to drop music with no promotion. No.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nobody's Beyonce. Let's. Let's put that out there. Everybody got to stop doing that. Yes. In the music business, everybody got to stop doing that. I say that every time album come out. Like, I don't understand what it. What. What you think you're gonna get by not giving.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes. And once again, I go back to the clips. The Clips OG Rap Group. Showed everybody what you posted. Do when you got a project coming out. Go work all the rooms. Like, you can't just put your shit online and expect people to come to you.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, for sure they did. They did. They were out on the street and performed in the middle of Brooklyn at a block party. They went to the car show. They went to concerts. They did radio, they did podcasts. They did everything they was to get those numbers, and it showed.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I saw these memes going around about the VMAs this past weekend, this week. And everybody was like, yo, this. It was like this meme saying, this is how I feel watching the VMAs, you know, less and less people every year. And that's not because you getting older. It's because a lot of these people just ain't running the circuit. Well, like everybody you just named. Only person I know faces Pluto.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. I mean, but the VMAs. I went and I. And I was gonna tweet while I was there, but I was like, I'm not gonna do it because I might get in trouble and might turn into something else. But black culture is what is driving the Internet when it comes to music, right? It ain't enough black culture at the VMAs for where the culture is from this interviewing space. Right? And I think that's a, that's a disconnect that you see at the VMAs. And so, so a lot of the artists don't know if they should go because they, they don't know, you know what I mean? Because it's being front loaded with like people like Paris Hilton. And I mean, you know, they put Lotto and what's her name, yeah, Ice Spice on there. But that's what I'm saying. It's still like. It's not. It's like, let's forget about the under the down low people. That's really coming up. I thought Busta should have got what he got, but we should have saw somebody new, you know what I mean? Jid, Sierra, you know what I mean? They could have easily performed though. I just don't think that. I just don't think people are actually from the mainstream perspective of paying attention to this groundswell of music that's happening.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And then what do you do? Because I know for a fact that first time I heard you that I'm like, yo, this skate record goes with Sierra and Earth Gang. When, when you're a Jid and you're telling the label this is the record, but the label saying, nah, let's go with something else. But then the label ain't servicing nothing to radio.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know what I'm saying?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, well, you gotta, you know, like, like Envy knows you saying it. You got to bring these labels to what's going on. That ain't never been a non practice. Right when we had never scared. It was super bowl weekend in Atlanta. I flew everybody to Atlanta and my mindset was when everybody leave, everybody gonna leave here saying Bone Crusher is the biggest record they heard in Atlanta. People left Atlanta and they were saying that Bone Crusher record is the big. When everybody got back to New York, that was what was happening in their office. Can you send me this Bone Crusher record? What's up with that Bone Crusher artist, blah, blah, blah. You always been, that's always been part of the practice. I don't know why people think that these things change. You have to none of these people know, you know, I mean, like, nobody skates, right? Nobody's. These older people that's in these labels, they not skating. So how do they know that it's a. A skating thing going on in Atlanta? 3. Three days out of the week. What night is popping? What? They're not even trying to go. They just thinking about music. But we are actually selling culture inside our records. And we actually doing what we talk. It's like selling drugs. If you talk about the drug rappers, that's why so many of them going to jail. Because it's actually real life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What skating rink was it Cascades? Would that be the equivalent of Magic City for the skating rinks in Atlanta.

[Jermaine Dupri]

On the west side? But it's a skating rink on every side. Like, where I'm from, we had sparkles and we had. And we got Skate Town. But I think, like, when we shot the video for Jid is at Golden Glide. That's on the east side. So all of. Like, each side of Atlanta, they got skating rinks.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did they break records in the skating rinks?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, 100%.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Okay. Yeah. I think I wanna say that the first time I ever heard the Jacques hit that he had was at the Skating Ring. And it was on, like, a. Cause they do know the crazy part about it is, like, R and B records, they do slow skate or they do couple skate. And they don't play no ghetto music when they do that. They actually play whatever the ballad is, right? So I'm sure, like, right now, the Chris Brown record probably going crazy in the skate. I haven't been in the last, you know, last couple of months. But I'm sure it goes crazy when they do the couples skate. And that definitely breaks music.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You produce skate?

[Jermaine Dupri]

No, no, I'm saying. I'm just saying. These are talking about Hear Records.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, got you. No, I'm saying you didn't produce the ghost. Okay, okay, gotcha.

[DJ Envy]

I wanted to ask, you know, we had Coach K up here about a week ago. He was saying that the industry is missing A and rs, right? And we talk about it a lot. Do you still think that we need somebody to develop these artists, to help develop these artists?

[Jermaine Dupri]

100%. But the A R's need somebody to develop them. You know what I mean? Like. You know what I mean? No, that's the truth. Because the problem is that the A R's is acting more like babysitters. And they scared to tell the artist, like, that shit ain't. That ain't hot. And because they Know, if they tell them, the artist might smack shit out of, or they might just. The artist might call label and be like, y' all don't like him, right? So people trying to be friends with people as opposed to, like, giving them creative criticism, and it's not, it's not helping the music. You know what I mean? I, I, it's crazy because I was working with so many artists doing this album, and the artists come in the studio, they like JD don't, don't just not produce me. Let me make me sound the best. So it's artists out here that want creative criticism. I just think it's from the people gotta get back to, like, making sure that that's their job. And when you see a person, they understand that that's what they supposed to get from you.

[DJ Envy]

Every time, every time I see you and I talk to you, I always ask you the same thing. I feel like you're one of those hip hop people that are underrated, right? That people forget about what you've done and the lineage you put out there and the people that you brought out. Do you always feel that way? And when do we, when does JD tell his own story in a movie form where you talk about the beginning, the artist you popped the A Rs, you, you birthed the producers, you birthed the sound you brought out. When does that happen? Because people don't necessarily forget, even to this day. Sometimes I'm like, damn, JD did that one too.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I don't know, man. You know, I can't. I was thinking about this on the way up here today. I was like, I'm gonna see what type, what Charlemagne I get today. I'm gonna get the cool Charlemagne. I'm gonna get the, you know what I mean with Charlemagne, I'm gonna get. But last time I was here, I told y', all, y' all weren't gonna have nobody come up here that would have a number one record in the same time that I did with the money Long record, right? This time I'm here. And Billboard basically finally called me. I mean, named me the number one producer of the 21st century of hip hop and RB. So I feel like the tide is changing, you know what I mean? It just, it's like I saw Buster say something at his speech the other day. Like, it's timing, man. When God wants you to get your flowers, he gonna give them to you. You don't rush it. So I, I, I don't. I've just been sitting back waiting. I Feel like everything that you saying, it's gonna eventually come. Cause at the end of the day, when you look at that list, based on who I started with, ain't none of them niggas even on the list. You know what I mean? Like, this a whole new list of people that I'm going against. Based on who the guys I came out with. So long as I just keep doing what I'm doing, I'm not. I mean, I think that is one of my most proud accomplishments, though, to make that list, because I feel like for the first time, people have to really, like, go and see why. And when you go see why, first of all, the list is not comprised of your heart and your stomach is comprised of who has the most number ones in the last 21st century. Them is facts. Like, that's what I was telling you last time we was up here. When you start dealing with the stats, you know, it's a different conversation. And I feel like if people start having to have that conversation, then, you know, the respect has to change at that point. I mean, I think I've seen people, like, completely mad about Beyonce being at number five on that list, but Beyonce actually produces these records. She's telling the other people in the room like this, what I want do a drop right here. Just. You know what I mean? That's production. So you know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Even with the verse beats, too, though.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, I've never been. But I'm sure. I'm sure.

[DJ Envy]

But even with the Versus Conversation, I remember the Versus Conversation. And they played you, so I don't wanna say so little, but they made it seem like at the time, Puff was gonna wax you, right? And you start thinking about the amount of records you produced and the hitch that you did the records that you writ, that you wrote. That's why you were so like, let's do this, let's do this. I mean, I'm sure it will never happen, but is that the reason why you was like, I wanted. You wanted to do it so bad?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, it was gonna happen.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. Yeah, I did. I mean, and I wanted to do it here in New York because I wanted. You know what I mean? I feel like. I mean, I performed at the Tunnel. I done been in. I don't been in the storm of hip hop. So it ain't none of that. Don't none of that scare me right at the end of the day. And I feel like that's the only way at that time that people were gonna realize, like, oh, this is crazy, right? Because if you. I can't keep saying it. You know what I'm saying? It is what it is at this point. If you ain't. You know, I saw somebody say, oh yesterday when I said something about the female rappers, like I'm saying right now. And somebody comment and say, oh, now you want to say something good about female rappers? I'm like, damn, did I not get y' all to brat first? You know what I'm saying? Like, I have the ability to talk about female rappers more than anybody because I'm the one that took the chance to even try to see if it worked right. But people don't want to. They still want to fight it. Like, so I'm like, whatever. It is what it is.

[DJ Envy]

What's the motivation?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

One of the illest things I think about this list, when you look at this Billboard list, name the list, you.

[DJ Envy]

Name it the top five. So people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But I'm only going to name top two. But you number one. And then when he. I guess he was. That's your protege, Brian Michael Cox.

[Jermaine Dupri]

That's my part. Yeah, yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How did that make you feel?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, amazing, because I, you know, when you think about, like, what people say about my Michael Jordan and basketball, I always use these. They always talk about, like, you, you can only be the best unless if you can make other people better. Right. In any business. Right. I think that's the thing. Like, so, I mean, half of them songs that put Brian in there is the same songs that got me up there. So it's like we make each other better. So, I mean, that's the focus that we have when we work and the records that we do together is just. That's the focus. We have a goal amongst us both. And if he was lower on that list, I'd be mad because I'm like, it ain't no way possible. You know what I mean? He been right there with me every step of the way.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I think too, like, when I think about Mariah Carey getting the accolades she got the other night at the VMAs, I don't know if that happens without you. And what I mean by that is Mariah had a fantastic career, but that album was like a comeback album that kind of solidified her forever.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I was talking to her about this yesterday and I was saying, like, it would have happened without me, but Mariah is. Listen, Mariah is such a New York hip hop person that she wants to gravitate towards the right as opposed to, like, promoting the Boys the Men record, which was no song. Her first song of the decade, right? She ain't perform that song the other night, like, you know what I'm saying? Like she got records that's bigger than the records. I did that. She just like, yeah, you know, we getting ready do this tonight. This what we going to do. I listen, I love it, cuz I'm a part of it. But don't get it twisted. These songs is, you know, I mean, she got records that she could do that's like Hero, you know, I mean, these songs, that's huge. That made her. Mariah has sold 30 million records before I even worked with her, you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like that charm bracelet and then that, what was that, what was that movie called? I don't even remember. It was a bad. It was dark.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, but one. One black eye can't kill you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, that's true. But then you came back with Emancipation of Mimi and that's, that's a nuclear bomb. I mean, that's not a normal album.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, yeah, I just, I, I always look at that like I'm really, I can't take credit for Mariah. She's. She's who she is and she was who she was before. I, you know, I'm, I'm just happy that she let me be a part of the ride.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think that puts more pressure on you though. And what I mean by that is when you're tasked with going in there with an iconic person already and creating something that gets them, you know, back seen the way that they were seen before, they're know, last flop. That says a lot that you was able to accomplish that then.

[Jermaine Dupri]

It put pressure on me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I would think so back then.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah. Cause I don't think about it like, you know, like the thing about it is when I go in the studio, people, I don't be like, I don't get caught up in what's happening in their life. And I think that that was what was going on in her life outside of the studio. I go in the studio and I'm like, I say this all the time when I, when I work with Aretha Franklin. She made me realize, like, listen, if you gonna be in here working and I'm gonna pay you and we gonna let you get this credit, you better say what the you got to say if I sound bad, if I don't even sound halfway good. She was like, tell me to do it again. And I'm like, I can't tell Aretha Franklin nothing like this Aretha Franklin. But the Way she was talking to me was like, I flew you here to Detroit to cut my vocals. So what you gonna do? You gonna sit in and just watch me or. If you. If that's. I'm going home. That's what she told me. She says, literally, I'm going home. That's what you're gonna do. And that's when I sat there for a minute. I'm like, you know what? I gotta do this. I just gotta be brutally honest with artists. And when it came to Emancipation of Mimi, we belong together. We made the song. Like, listen, Mariah, if you don't hit the note at this, at the end of the record, the record ain't gonna be what people want the record to be. They want you to. That's. That's what they want. We gotta give them what they want. And it was like, nobody else wanted to say this. I had to say it, and I had to be like, you know, if you don't like me for saying what is real, then why we in the room together?

[DJ Envy]

What was one artist that didn't like you? Being brutally honest, I was like, nah, this is not for me.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nobody. I don't think.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Peace to the planet Charlemagne, the God here now. You know, the end of the year is when, like a lot of business owners, I really lock in, all right? This is the time to set the foundation for next year. You got new ideas, new product drops, new goals. And when I'm building anything meaningful, I need the right tools. That's why I always tell folks, especially black entrepreneurs and small black owned businesses, shopify is the move, okay? We use it at the Black Effect Podcast network. And I've seen firsthand how it helps creators and business owners grow with confidence. Entrepreneurship is very important to me, okay? There's nothing wrong with working for people. There's nothing wrong with partnering people. But you should strive to own your own as well. And Shopify can help others grow into entrepreneurs. It's like having a whole team behind you. Your chief of staff, your personal assistant, your co founder, all in one platform. Whether you're running a side hustle or a full storefront selling locally or worldwide, Shopify takes all the guesswork out. Shopify brings everything into one place. You can sell on your website, on social media, and even in the real world. Like some of our partners at our Black Effect Festival coming up in April. Wherever your people are, Shopify makes sure your business can meet them where they're at. Plus, you got Shopify, Sidekick and their AI tools. Total game changers. I love How? It's like having an assistant giving you insights, content ideas, edits. Shopify's got your next move covered. So let me ask you this. If you're ready to take the next step in your life, whether it's merch products or anything in between, get on shopify.com ben that's shopify.com ben and make it happen. It is time to stop putting off your future and start your new role as your own boss today.

[DJ Envy]

Hey, what up, y'?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All?

[DJ Envy]

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[Jermaine Dupri]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Jermaine Dupri]

Nobody. I mean, I think everybody want. They don't want to address it, but when it's right, they like, oh, okay, you know. But a lot of them like, you know, bow, I didn't like, oh, I think they like me.

[DJ Envy]

Like, you wrestle with him every time you're in the studio. That's what it's about.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But I'm saying Usher didn't like, you make me wanna. And you have to sit there and be like, man, that's crazy.

[State Farm Narrator]

Why?

[Jermaine Dupri]

What are you. What are you listening to that make you not like this song?

[DJ Envy]

So what did you say to Mariah Carey when she didn't do the last note at the end, right? The note that everybody tries to sing. Did you call her back? Be like, hey, hey, hey, hey. I need you to do the whoo.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Like, how. What's crazy is we had six hours to do we belong together. She came to Atlanta. We did everything in the song except for that note, right? The song was finished and I kept saying Mariah, when you do the. You know, because she also was going to sing her vocals when she came back. And I just kept saying, when you sing the vocals, make sure you end the song with this note. And it wasn't there. It wasn't in there. And it was just like, you had to say it. I had to feel like. I felt like I had to keep saying it before she left me because I wasn't going to be there with her. And sometimes, you know, artists want to be cool and like, Mariah is like a singer that don't. That can really sing, but is. She's a rapper. She want to be like, she want to do rapper. So she don't actually be wanting to, like, show you how well she can sing no more. And I'm like, no, show these. You could really sing. They just. They can't, by the way. So you have to do that. You have to tell her because she'll get. She's a rapper. I told this. I told her this other night.

[DJ Envy]

How many times, you know, how many times did she have to do that last note her?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't think she had to do that. I mean, it don't take her long when she's, when she's in that mode. But just. Yeah, they don't take one time. It don't take Mariah's. She's. She's flawless when she want to be. But like I say, she's so New York, I'm telling you, like, the first time I went to work with Mariah, I came here. I ain't know what to expect. She walked in the studio and she laid a CD on the desk, and it was the Wu Tang Cream. And she was like, I want you to sample this. This what I'm singing over. And I'm like, nah, I'm not doing it. I'm not. Because I. I start thinking about, like, you already successful. You think I'm getting ready to be the. That's gonna put cream under you and make you. We not doing that. I'm not doing that. Right. But that I. I quickly learned who she was. Like, somebody just told us that story.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who the hell was it?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Like, she's. That's who she is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, somebody told us that story about Mariah wanted to sing over cream. Who was it might literally just told us the story.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, that's her thing. Like, right now, she put out a song where she's over Eric B for president. She's New York to the core.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What was it about the emancipation of Mimi that got her back to where she needed to be. Was it the freedom that maybe you provided? Cause I saw the Brat telling this story about how Tommy Mottola got guns pulled on you because you let Mariah go to Burger.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I didn't let them do nothing. They pulled off and went on their own. But, yeah, so tell the story.

[DJ Envy]

Cause I don't know the story.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Okay. So the first time I started working with Mariah, I decided to do an Always Be my baby remix, right? So I brought Xscape and the Brat to her house that was out in upstate with her and Tommy. And this was the first time me, I started bringing my people around Mariah and I brought Brat. Her and Brat kicked it. They hit it off and she convinced Brat, or either Brat convinced her take a trip in the car, just me and you, and go to McDonald's or some old like that.

[DJ Envy]

So they left together.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No security, nothing off the ground without me knowing. And showed up in the studio like, what? What's going on? I'm like, I seen running around like, and. And it always looking at me like, jd, this your. This your person? She done ran off with Mariah. And I'm like, what the. Like, that was a crazy moment. This is my first time being there. This is my first time at her house. And I bring some niggas over. This just like a story. You bring some niggas over to the house and this what happened. And I'm in the house like this, like, I'm just trying to make a record, man. What the fuck is going on?

[DJ Envy]

So you call the Brat like, where you at?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, I called her. She's like, we just getting some fries. And I'm like, what? Why? Why? And she was saying that Mariah just like, at that period in time, Mariah was. You know, this was a different type of success life at this point.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Real celebrity.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. She wasn't the artist that could go outside and go to McDonald's or she wasn't even that. Like, she was sheltered in the house and she. She just wanted to get out. And Brat was her. Her person that was ready to go escape and do it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's crazy. So was it that level of freedom you provided her? That's what it's because that the album called the Emancipation.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. No, I just. I just think. I think I make Mariah comfortable, right? And I don't. I don't. I don't fake with her about the music that we should make. And I think that's what makes her feel free, you know? Free. Because I'm telling her. I'm telling anybody. If you sing, make singing records, man. Like, hey, like, I get it. You want to rap, and I'm a rapper at heart, but I learned how to make music, and I learned through the success that I've had that these people want these records to sound like the records that they know the audience don't change, right? So I just have to keep beating that in people's minds and letting them know, like, listen, you might want to change your up, but the person that's listening, they want the new Mariah record to sound like the Mariah record that they heard before. And that's always a hard fight with artists.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did you ever take her to Magic City?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. No, no, no, no. She won't. She won't. She probably won't go to this. That's ain't. That ain't her. Dang her that a bag.

[DJ Envy]

Now back to. To Usher. You said Usher didn't like, make make me wanna. Yeah, why not? What was the problem with that?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't know.

[DJ Envy]

And how'd you get him to. How'd you force them to finally do it?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, I mean, I have to force him, but he also. He just let me know it wasn't like. That wasn't what he felt he should be coming with. At this point in time, Usher was still not sure where his career was gonna go, so he still cut the song, luckily. But if we was in that space right now, he not gonna cut the song right now. He ain't gonna be like, I don't with that song right now.

[DJ Envy]

He don't care if he don't like it now, I'm not doing it.

[Jermaine Dupri]

It's not even gonna get cut.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Even now. I would trust you to.

[Jermaine Dupri]

He gonna be like, that's right now. I'll be like, yo, Usher, please cut this song. Usher, turn his phone off.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, when you look at this new generation of Atlanta rappers, do you feel they understand the history of the city sound, or is this all about what's hot right now?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, I think they do, but I don't think they respect it from a level of why. How high you should be holding it, right? Because a lot of people in Atlanta still don't understand the how we even got to where we are, right? I did an interview the other day. I'm like, about no first of the month or something like that with Big Facts, right? And Salute to Big Facts. And bank was saying, you know, JD In Atlanta used to think you want to be from New York, and it's funny because it wasn't that I wanted to be from New York. It's just this is where hip hop lives and this is where hip hop was at. And it wasn't hip hop nor no hip hop in Atlanta, right? It wasn't no place in Atlanta that even gave me what I felt was I was getting when I came to the city and I wasn't getting anything. I was treated like I wasn't even supposed to be here. But still, I was looking at people doing what I wanted to do, right? So I'm like, yo, we gotta get. We gotta figure out how to get this going. So he was telling me that when I did money in the thing that it felt like I wanted to be from New York as opposed. I wanted to be the first nigga from Atlanta to make a record with a nigga from Brooklyn that everybody kept claiming was gonna be who he became to be. And I don't think people understand that move as much as they wanna try to make it seem like I wanna be from New York. I was trying to be the first person to push us forward and make sure that Atlanta exists the way it does in hip hop.

[DJ Envy]

Do you have to pay hole for that record? How did that record come about money in a day?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, it was my idea from the jump. And he took it and put it on his album once it started popping. So, you know, we just. Which is an even swap.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So who, who. When you. When you talk, I love. I love these Atlanta stories because I really feel like Atlanta stories still hasn't been told the way it should have. That's why I'm glad y' all did the freaknik Doc. And y' all got the magic city Doc. When you think of Atlanta, who should really get the credit for introducing the world to Atlanta? Hip hop Me Main Dupree, Outcast, Me Family.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Outkast was calling so, so def. Trying to get signed. Like, I think. I think, you know, one of the things that, that we have to really start doing is in. In dealing with me. And that's where it goes. Like, people start moving the goalposts that Kris Kross was the first rap group from Atlanta to sell over 2, 3, 4 million records point blank. Ain't no if and buts about it, right? But when we start having a conversation about Kris Kross, people start trying to make it seem like it's kitty rap, right? But then when I start saying something about me making a record, the niggas start saying, j O G, it's a young man game if it's a young man game, then give it to the young men who started the shit for the city, right? But when you ask for that credit, niggas try to make it seem like, nah, nah, nah, nah, it can't be these kids. But that don't make sense, right? It don't. You one minute it's for the kids, then the next minute the kids. You don't want to give the kids the credit. And I think that's the biggest mistake in Atlanta hip hop, is that niggas don't give Kris Kross the credit for pushing the door open. Like, TI Definitely says that he started rapping because he saw Kris Kross and he realized that he didn't have to be old, he didn't have to be 25 years old to make a record. He saw some little niggas from his hood making music, and he was like, I can do it, right? Even Killer Mike says the same thing. And I feel like, you know, you got a couple of people that's like these guys that say it. But the rest of the city, if you start having conversation about it, it's always who started it first. Kris Kross came out way before Outkast, you know what I'm saying? And they sold 8 million records the first album. You can't just not talk about that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the biggest difference between being a music mogul in the 90s versus being one now? Because they don't look the same.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, they don't look the same. And I think that the difference now is that. It just ain't a bunch. That's what it is. That's the ultimate different, because we all learned from everybody. I learned most of everything that I started doing from Russell, you know what I mean? Just seeing Russell Simmons do what he was doing. Andre Harrell, rest in peace, just everybody. You know, we had. We had books of people that we could look at and read. They book damn near and be like, okay, if I'm gonna do it, I want to do it like this. If I'm gonna have this company, I'm gonna have it like this. We don't have that no more, right? We don't have that no more. And I need it. You know what I'm saying? Even me, I need it. So it's therefore, it's like. I mean, at least I always used it. I might be that person that people look at at this point. But I'm saying, for the most part, we don't have these guys that's out here that you could Actually look at and be like, okay, I want to have. I wanna even like, Jay Prince. Jay Prince was doing what he was doing in Houston. They not doing that no more in Houston. Right. So in Houston don't even have nobody to, like, pattern what they doing off of nobody. They can talk about it, but you don't see nobody coming out of Houston. That's like the new J. Prince.

[State Farm Narrator]

Yeah, that's true.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's interesting, too, with Atlanta, because history always repeats itself. And you think about all the different sounds that have come out of Atlanta now. Like, I love Metro booming out, and the stuff you got on the. On the Magic City soundtrack sound like that too. Why is that era. It seemed like coming back.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, I mean, mine is because it's connected to the dot, Right. I think Metronome was onto something that was just like, they felt like. Like I said, I don't know where these girls.

[DJ Envy]

What.

[Jermaine Dupri]

What mindset these female rappers was in when they started, but they started taking these old records and remaking new records on top of them. So, like, all these Zaytoven beats, That's the Pluto song when Whammy was. Was a Zaytoven beat, Right. Like I said, the girl Bankroll Naya that I work with, she got a bunch of these records that they. They. They're taking all of these older records and they putting new records on there. So I think the feel of it when they start, when you start seeing that, that feels like, okay, you know, everybody that make music always try to get into the tempo and what's gonna go with the next song. As a producer, I mean, that's what I do. So if you listening to, oh, I think they like me beat and somebody come on with a new song, then your. Your next move is to damn them, make a record that sound like, lean with it, rock with it. It's just automatic because you can't just come with a song that you can't just blow by and be like, I ain't paying no attention to that tempo. Let's do something else. No, that ain't. That ain't never been hip hop, so I just think that it's just a wave. Like I said, these girls, they started, and I just feel like you seeing people just follow the wave.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's gonna be interesting to see what that. Take me through that record. Yeah, what that. What that influences.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. But I'm saying that's why Cado. Yeah. So, I mean, that's. That's what I'm saying. It's like it's just. It's just they wave and people just. They. They started it, you know.

[DJ Envy]

Now, we talked about a lot of stuff that you. You've done in your history. What's left that Jermaine wants to do that he hasn't done yet? Like, because you didn't did everything. You didn't did docu series, you didn't did produce for every decade. What's left that you want to do? That's like, this is the last thing I want to do or this is something I want to do.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Just continue, man. I think that, like, there's a lot of stuff that I did that I didn't know what I was doing. Right? So, like, go back and do it in a way now that I know. Like, when I came up here and talked about the rap game, I didn't know what that show was gonna be. I ain't know Lotto was gonna come from that show. I didn't know. I don't know what was gonna happen right now. I know now people know that show would be accepted, you know, and received so much better now because people wasn't.

[DJ Envy]

Accepted back then, like. Like, I think it would be now.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[DJ Envy]

It's also proven, though.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, it's just really just like. Like I said, a lot of the stuff is like, I'm the first to, like, step out here and see what's going on, and you don't even know what's happening. And once it worked, if you come back and do it again, it's like, oh, okay, now people with this. And they might do it, but that's a lot of the stuff I just, you know, I'm just like. You know, like, even like the division I signed division, and the first album that I did with division, I jumped out here with a song called if I Get Caught. And, you know, their fan base was a little like, that ain't we don't with that. Right. I was just trying to make records and get them guys popular because I felt like they. They too good to be such a box group. And they also wanted that song. So I'm not gonna ready to say I pushed it on them. But at the same time, I learned in that process, they got a fan base, right? And they make love music. And you can't come out with a group that make love music. Somebody, if I get caught cheating, that just is not gonna. It's gonna be a crash. So this new project, we put out two new records last week, and all I see Is people online saying, this is the division we wanted. This is what I'm talking about, you know, Joe Buttons somebody. So you just learn. I just learned. So, I don't know. I feel like, you know, I started to look at the things that I. I feel like I'm not. I didn't know what I was doing totally. And then just come back and do it again and try to make it right. Right the way that I feel like it should have been the first time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the hardest personal sacrifice you've made for your career?

[Jermaine Dupri]

Life? I don't really have no life. I just be making music. You know what I mean? And I have people that tell me this all the time, like, J.D. you know, you don't really. You my baby. Mothers be saying, it's like, you know, you. Your life is the music. All you do is care about the music. All you care about is putting out records. All you care about is doing what you're doing every day. And that's the truth. It is. That's what it is. I don't care about nothing else.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You don't enjoy the money. You don't go on vacation.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I mean, that. Come along with it. But ain't. That's not. That's not a chase for me. Like, my chase is to be, you know, like what they said on the billboard. I get number one. I. I feel like. I feel like I finally did something by getting number one on that list.

[DJ Envy]

But then it's never enough. Because you want more.

[Jermaine Dupri]

No. Now it's like. But it's. But it's also like fighting. It's like boxing. You gotta. You gotta. Can you.

[DJ Envy]

Number one.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Can you stay in that space? Right? You know what I'm saying? It's like watching Floyd and Tyson talk about they gonna fight. It's like Floyd retired, but he still want to be the. He want to be the best. You know what I'm saying? It's like. I'm not saying I'm retired. I'm out here. So I. I just know that, you know, like, I also know that it's space in hip hop and R B that hasn't been touched. What I'm doing, going from 92 and being, becoming the number one producer of the 21st century in 2025, ain't been seen ever. Ever, right? So if you start doing that, ain't never been seen, you don't have no reason. I don't have no reason to stop. I just gotta, you know, pray to God it don't stop. You know, I Mean, it's funny.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I wonder if hip hop had limits. Jermaine Dupree. And what I mean by that is when people start talking about, yo, who's the greatest producers of all time? They'll start, you know, naming a bunch of people who do a lot of hip hop records, right? But you got to just say, Jermaine is a musician. If you, if you said Jermaine is just a musical producer, then I think the conversation is a little bit different.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. You know what I mean? I mean, it's hard, man, because I. I feel like I switch from people. I switch up on people so much. When I'm in R B mode, I'm not talking about no rap, right? I remember one time I came up here and I was so R and B'd out and I wouldn't. I'm waving the flag for R B and I ain't talking about nothing rap. I think that confuses the podcast and the guys that usually talk to me about, they like, wait a minute, I thought this was money, anything. And you was, you know, I mean, Magic City. This nigga's over here telling me he want to make division records, you know what I mean? I think that, that, that throws the whole thing off because I do switch. I mean, that's how I have. That's the only way I can do it, that's the only way I can make it, is to get away from, you know, from one thing for a minute and go into that space and be 100% in that space.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Is there a media bias even towards the South? Because I think about that with the producers and the artists, because there's some artists from the south who should be getting mentioned as top lyricists all the time, and some producers from the south who should be getting mentioned as top producers.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I just think that. And I want to send Bank a shout out because I feel like his interview with Thugs Fantastic.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Pushes brilliant.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Finally somebody in Atlanta to the forefront of hip hop media in the city of Atlanta. And I think it's taken 30 years for somebody in the city of Atlanta to be the person that you have to sit down and talk to. If you that guy in hip hop and he just made himself that person. If you actually killed it, he killed it, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm. I'm glad you said that, because I said it on the air. Regional identity matters in Media 100 and everything. And Atlanta's been the hip hop capital for so long, but have. Have never had that media personality, Gray street and all, but they've never had that Person, you gotta go.

[Jermaine Dupri]

And I think that's the problem. It's like every time somebody from Atlanta that's popped, they always had to come to New York. And no disrespect, but I've been saying it should been somebody that did what he did with Future Ludicrous. When TI Got out of jail, we don't have so many artists that have so many stories or they missed the opportunity, like what just happened with Doug, because we don't have that person in the city. And that just. That goes to the culture like people should. Like, I just saw the magazine out there with you on the front cover of Variety. I never seen that before, right. In Atlanta. I don't think young people read and see things like that to push them to say, you know what I want to do with Charlemagne doing, man? I want to do what Envy doing. He got car show. Like, they don't see that enough to distract them. All they see is JD Throwing money and this throwing money. I'm rapping. I'm gonna be a rapper. Nah, you ain't got to be no rapper. You know what I mean? Bank getting ready to hit the bank.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You know what I'm saying? Based on what he just did, that one interview, as far as I'm concerned, if he do what he got to do and he keep it at that level and the way he talked to him, it makes you gonna have people that really want to sit down and, like, let you interview them the same way you did.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And Big Facts has already been that platform to me.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And then now to see bank doing the perspective with Banks.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah, I agree with you, but it took 30 years. That's what I'm saying. It took. It took 30 years for somebody to say, this what we need. I'm gonna do it like this, right? And I'm so. I'm really happy to see that. I feel like that's going to turn. That's going to change the city, because that's going. People. Somebody going to see that, and they going to create another one, right? And at that point, that world will open up. Because when I came here, I think the beginning of me talking about Magic City, I was like, yo, everybody in New York got a podcast. I mean, everywhere I went, everybody got podcasts. Clue them. Got one across the street in a little bar, Everybody. Fat Joe. I was going to all of them. I mean, Carmelo, no matter. In Brooklyn, It's a podcast everywhere. And I was just like, this ain't this. This bug ain't hit Atlanta Yet.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Nah, they got them in Atlanta because you got big facts. You got bank, you got 85 south shows in Atlanta. You got Paul Mind podcast based out of Atlanta. That's four.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Y' all got about 20 out there, you know what I mean? You know what I mean? It's just. And they moving. Y' all got. Y' all got 20 out here. That's moving. I'm just saying these guys that you like, the 85 South Show, I think that's probably the closest next. But after that, it ain't no real. Like, ain't nobody you gotta talk to, Paul.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Mine's is big. You should sit down, but you ain't.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Gotta talk to em. That's all I'm saying. I'm just talking about as far as, like, if you one of these people, I feel like we don't have. We ain't had nobody that you have to talk to. Like, if they was like, call me, call the rec company. They like Joe Jermaine, who you want to have a in depth conversation with. And then your name, your name gonna come up. And then who's the competitor to Charlemagne in Atlanta?

[DJ Envy]

From Atlanta too. You know, they're from Houston, but they're based in Atlanta. Based in Atlanta, right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

So I just feel like, I feel like bank put himself in the category I agree to get. He did.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Jermaine Dupri]

You know, the Gucci mans, all of these people that we want to hear.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Gunna should be calling bank right now. Yeah, Gunna should be calling bank like, yo, I need to come sit down with you. And. And just to re. Not saying reply.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But yeah, you know, I mean, but it ain't even like we've never heard his side. It's just like I said, he just made it where like Oprah Winfrey, like, you want to watch it, you want to hear it. And he's not going to hold back on the questions. And he's creditable in that category to where you can't run no on him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Because he gonna let you know you running some. And that's what I love.

[DJ Envy]

He was, he wasn't afraid to push back.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah. But I mean, but he don't have no. That's him. You know what I'm saying? He wanted. He the guy that told me when I said he's like, jd, we thought you, you want, you want to be from New York. That's who told me that. Right. And I'm like, nah, I wasn't trying to be from New York. I'm trying to just push my music And I just feel like, like I said, I applaud him on that interview. He did it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Fantastic. I got two more questions. What's the one misconception about JD that you wish people would let go of?

[Jermaine Dupri]

That I'm anything like any of these other people that we talk about. I don't do none of the people talking about they got a case with crisscross. I don't do none of that. All that people. I don't. I ain't got time for all that. I make music, right? If you want to talk about music, then that's what we talk about. If you want to talk about all this other that's going on in the world, I'm not your guy for that. You talking about free calls, freak offs, whatever you want to call it, like, not freak off. I think, like, you know, like, you know, they got, like, transporting kids and all of this type of shit going on out here now. And just. I feel like because we have seen so many people do and get in trouble for things, you know, it's like, well, J.D. part of that system, too.

[DJ Envy]

J.D. i ain't never hear your name in no.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Nah, but I'm saying, like, I never hear your name in no bullshit. I mean, you know, and I've been.

[DJ Envy]

Around you a long time. I ain't never seen no bs.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But I'm just. I'm saying I'm not. I don't. I don't have no reason to be doing that. Like, I don't have no reason to do it. And I think a lot of people don't understand. Like, a lot of my success, I was with Janet. You know what I'm saying? Like, I had. I was the first to be out here doing that besides Bobby and Whitney, you know what I mean? Me and Janet was together before Jay and Ho. I mean, J and B actually really announced it, so I was kind of like, pushed to the side, like a boyfriend type of dude that was like, just making music. So I don't. I don't know. I just think. I think that's the one. I think people just. They want me to be in that, but I. I'm not going in that direction.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I mean, you wanted a few. It seems like, yo, you Jay Z. Like, y' all planes are landing with the wheels out. A lot of people planes did not.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Land with the wheels. I mean, well, I had this conversation with Chad because Chad, Ellie, shout out to Chad. Ellie. That's my best friend. And we've been friends since I was 12, 13, and we was Talking about the list, the Billboard list. And we started out in the garage. I used to live with him in Brooklyn Eastern Parkway. And we was. We used to make. You know, we go buy records, and we ain't always doing. We just trying to make beats. And we ain't had no drum machines. We just used to use our imagination. And I was telling him about it the other night. I was like, yo, we got a toast. I'm number one producer, right? And he was like, man, just sitting here thinking about it made me want to cry. Because it's like, what we went through. For me to even be in that space, I don't think people even realize. So it's just like, all I focus on is that, man just trying to be. I'm trying to be the top of the game, and I made it. I'm just trying to stay in that space.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When your name is mentioned 50 years from now, what's the one record or one artist you want to define your life?

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't know who the artist is. Somebody great. I mean, I think. You know, I think, like, watching Mariah get Vanguard Award and her performing in that piece, two of records that I did, I think that means. That means a lot, you know, I mean, like, almost like you saying it's like my records are loud enough to make people damn near believe that I had something to do with her success. And that's a. That's a. That's a. To me, that's a mean accomplishment because I didn't have anything to do with her becoming who she is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, that's not true. That's not true. I mean, because it's a second wave.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Yeah. But I'm saying, I think. I think I might have made more black people like her.

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Jermaine Dupri]

But she still Mariah Carey.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, but it says something when you create to me, I mean.

[State Farm Narrator]

I mean, I get it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And that's our best album.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I get it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Manifesting Mimi is Mariah Carey's best album.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's probably the definitive album of her whole career. That's her Thriller. This is.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I don't know.

[State Farm Narrator]

I don't know.

[DJ Envy]

I know you gotta run.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Well, yeah. I mean, before I go, I got an album. I think my album's coming out on Friday. Yeah. I think because I've been. I had a lot of sample clearance issues. It was supposed to come out last Friday to go with the doc, but I'm hoping it comes out this Friday because this is the last episode of Magic City this Friday. So we trying to make sure the album comes out and I'm supposed to turn it in by 4 o'.

[DJ Envy]

Clock.

[Jermaine Dupri]

So that's what my running is.

[DJ Envy]

All right.

[Jermaine Dupri]

That's what my phone is doing, Right.

[DJ Envy]

All right, well, JD Jermaine Dupree, make sure you check out the Magic City Doc and of course, the album. We appreciate you always for joining us.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Thank you.

[DJ Envy]

It's the Breakfast Club.

[Jermaine Dupri]

It's JD Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You all finished or y' all done?

[Jermaine Dupri]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[State Farm Narrator]

All.

[Jermaine Dupri]

This is that classic hbcuva NASDAQ drop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit.

[State Farm Narrator]

Chance, echo, drum beat.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Everybody showing that school pride game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And in ice cold Coca Cola, that's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y' all finally finished it. Even better. Your dad says all yours, son. Yep. Same car that belongs to your grandpa that your dad helped him fix is yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get State Farm insurance. Just like them. Generation to generation, remember to choose the agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there.

[DJ Envy]

Hey, what up, y'?

[Jermaine Dupri]

All?

[DJ Envy]

It's DJ Envy. And the holidays are here. The time of year that's all about connecting with loved ones in person or over the phone. In fact, hearing someone's voice can evoke a similar emotional response as a hug. And while most of us can hop on a video chat to really bring that connection to life, using tech isn't easy for everyone, especially some of the older folk in our lives. AT&T has been doing something special here to help. They offer digital literacy workshops that help older adults learn how to use technology to do things most of us take for granted, like video conferencing and sharing photos. Take Nancy Shand. She joined one of AT&T's workshops to learn how to video chat. For the first time this holiday season, Nancy won't just be hearing about family gatherings. She'll be a part of them, sharing stories, opening presents, and making memories all through a screen. Nobody should have to go through the holiday season alone. So be sure to connect and stay connected to your loved ones this holiday season.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Connecting changes everything.

[Cascali Patient]

AT&T I'm Carolyn. I have metastatic breast cancer.

[Jermaine Dupri]

I was concerned after my diagnosis. Cascali gives me more life for living. Since I've been prescribed, I've seen a daughter get married.

[Cascali Patient]

I now have a grandchild and another.

[Jermaine Dupri]

One on the way.

[Cascali Patient]

Gascali ribociclib 200 milligram tablets with hormone therapy is for adults with HR positive HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer do not take with tamoxifen In a clinical study at 80 months, women taking Cascalis plus letrozole lived over a year longer versus letrozole alone. Individual results may vary. Cascali may cause serious skin reactions, liver problems and low white blood cell counts that may result in serious infections. Life threatening lung problems and abnormal heartbeats can occur. Your doctor should test your heart and blood before and during treatment. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening cough, chest pain or dizziness before taking Kasqali. Tell your doctor all your medical conditions, medicines you take and if you're breastfeeding, pregnant or planning to be as it can harm an unborn baby. Common side effects include nausea, headache and tiredness. Real patient compensated for her time. Learn [e-mail] 10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Push past physical and mental breaking points.

[DJ Envy]

You are the fittest of the fit.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Only one of you will leave here.

[Cascali Patient]

With an IFIT contract worth $250,000.

[Jermaine Dupri]

This is where mindset comes in. Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th.

[Jermaine Dupri]

Watch the trailer on trainergames.com this is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.