When it comes to the music industry, there aren’t many people who have reached the level that Rodney Jerkins has at the relatively young age of 37 years old. Jerkins was born into a musically centered household with his Dad being a minister and his Mother, a choir director. Resident of a small town in the state of New Jersey, Jerkins took on his family tradition of playing classical piano at the young age of 5. However, that would only be his first taste of music and his interest soon began.
There wasn’t a day that went by that Jerkins wasn’t trying to learn everything he could about music all while being influenced by such big-time producers, including the one and only Teddy Riley. He looked up to Riley as a huge inspiration as far as music was concerned and when he got the chance to actually stop by his studio, he didn’t hesitate. Despite their apprehension, his parents accompanied him to the studio and Teddy Riley actually ended up giving them a tour of the studio.
http://https://youtu.be/MWq8_qseukQ
The rest was history, so to speak, with Teddy gradually turning into a mentor for Rodney and eventually landing Jerkins a deal with Riley’s record company. His first glimpse of the music magic he could create came when he went on to write and produce his own gospel rap album titled, On the Move, along with his brother Fred Jerkins III. Jerkins married, Joy Enriquez, on April 4, 2004, and they both have three children together. Their oldest, Rodney David Jr., was born in 2008. They then had a daughter who they named, Heavenly Joy Jerkins, she was born the following year in 2009.  During the year of 2012, they welcomed their third child into the world, another daughter that they named, Hannah Joy Jerkins.
In 1997, however, Jerkins would reveal his true potential on Mary J. Blige’s Share My World album, an album that went on to sell millions and held the smash single, I Can Love You. His work on that album got him recognition as one of the hottest R&B producers in the country, and led to the start of his own label, Darkchild Records.
http://https://youtu.be/Jg-8Itda7oI
When you think of Rodney Jerkins, you can’t simply see him talented in one particular area because he helped create musical magic in all aspects. He’s worked with some of the biggest names that has ever picked up a microphone including legendary musicians such as, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross. He’s also worked with stars such as Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, the list is endless.
As a four-time Grammy Award recipient, it’s no surprise why Jerkins is widely considered one of the most influential producers in music history. He’s also credited for helping in the creation of such hits as,You Rock My World by the legendary icon, Michael Jackson, It’s Not Right but It’s Okay by the one and only Whitney Houston, The Boy Is Mine by R&B superstars, Brandy and Monica, Say My Name by one of the most successful female groups of all time, Destiny’s Child, If You Had My Love by Jennifer Lopez, Déjà Vu by Beyoncé, He Wasn’t Man Enough by Toni Braxton and Telephone by superstar, Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
Rodney Jerkins has accomplished a highly honorable amount of success throughout his years and it’s safe to say when it comes to his musical mind, he’s far from finished creating magic.
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