An insightful and informative read!
I'm just a casual fan of hip-hop music in general and of Jermaine "JD" Dupri in particular. So I almost passed this book by, but I decided to pick it up because I work in the music and entertainment business and thought the book might some have some insights to offer. I'm very glad I decided to give "Young, Rich, and Dangerous" a read. YRD is not merely an autobiography of JD, but an experiential guidebook of sorts on how to navigate the highs and lows involved in achieving success in the music industry. The common thread that ties together the elements of JD's life described in the book is his obvious love of music, and his evolution as an artist, a business executive, and most importantly, as a man. Prior to reading YRD, I had no idea that JD was behind so many leading artists (e.g., Usher, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson) and their chart topping hits, all before his 35th birthday! When you see Dupri dressed in hip-hop urban wear, baseball caps and sneakers, it's easy to forget that he's been making major contributions in the musical arena for over 2 decades. And while YRD does serve as a reminder that JD has yet to receive the respect that he truly deserves as an artist and businessman, his story is told with an appealing undercurrent of humility. The book certainly acknowledges the many achievements of Dupri's career, but he also candidly points out the mistakes that he made along the way, especially in his youth. I have found that some novels rooted in urban/hip-hop culture can lay the ebonics on a little thick at times, making the text difficult to read and less accessible to mainstream readers. But Samantha Marshall and JD did a commendable job of writing YRD in clear, readable prose, while still preserving JD's voice as a hip-hop artist. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the music biz, or anyone who's ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look into what goes into the making of a music hit or superstar artist.
Worst Book
Along w/ Diddy (P. Diddy or w/e he wants to call himself). This loser is responsible for new schhol rap which is over the top materialism, cockiness and marketing the gangsta culture as if it were some subculture like hippie & goth based on dress & talk . I listen to old school rap like NWA, Dr. Dre etc. (the real stuff) Don't get me wrong, though Jermaine Dupri fans are too ignorant to know what I'm talking about. There were genre's like G-Funk which went in Dupri's direction but only to a degree. However, G-funk lyrics were still about what a gangsta REALLY is and what that lifestyle is really about, the cool aspects, but to be sincere the obvious realities why the average person doesn't bang. New school rappers/producers like Dupri, are not from Compton, Roxbury, etc. They are from Alanta, Missisippi, Phoenix and those places that are sooooooooo not hood. So it's all a big joke to me what he's trying to do like Joel Shulmacher's Batman movies but at least those were meant to be a joke. All Dupri and any shmuck like him does is exploit a culture/background that he knows nothing about nor did any research on b/c the $ is there.
Complete and thorough view of the life of JD...
I thought the book was great at capturing the highlights of his career. Its obvious that the book is written primarily by JD in his own words which is refreshing as well. No huge revelations, but definitely good to get the insight JD has on staying relevant in the music business and how he became a Young, Rich and Dangerous mogul. I thought the book did a particularly good job of detailing the relationships he had with the artists (especially Kriss Kross) to understand the ups and downs that their careers had and his role in getting them where they were. He seemed very earnest about his feelings about money over the years and how he's grown to understand that more money means more responsibility as well. Good book, easy reading and recommended for any JD fans.
Only for the fans.
Unless you're a big fan of his music, you're not going to enjoy this book too much. The book doesn't seem to have any real purpose except for Jermaine to pat himself on the back. Jermaine didn't spend alot of time thinking over this book. It seems like he was being interviewed and dropped some thoughts to an author to put together. The book is very self serving/ self promoting. Jermaine is rarely offering the reader his truly feelings. Most of the time he's being too cautious about what he says to keep on good business terms with people in the industry.
However, you do get a much better sense of who Jermaine Dupri is as a person. Much of the book is about materialism not spiritualism. Jermaine talks alot more about the more successful artists and the current artists who he's been involved with. But, he tends to leave out the less successful artists or the ones who've been out of the game for awhile. I thought it was interesting how he had much to say about Biggie whom he only worked with on a couple of songs but nothing to say about Left Eye whom he was more closely linked to.
The books has a few interesting spots or juicy moments but the majority of the book makes for unmemoriable reading. There are alot of other hip hop books that Jermaine could've taken notes from. Russell Simmons's book offered more spiritual and business insight. DMX's book told a far more interesting life story. LL Cool J's book was told more honestly and straight from the heart. There was really no reason for Jermaine's book other than to feed his own ego.
YOUNG, RICH, AND DANGEROUSLY INFORMATIVE
Jermaine's candid stories reveal the challenges and difficulties that producers face when grooming and working with artists who have drama, and divas who have dollars.
Written with a conversational tone, it's layed out in a chronological format that details Jermaine's journey as a background dancer with Whodini, to superstar producer and founder of So So Def Records, his adventures as a label executive for Sony, Arista, and Virgin records, as well as his love affair with Janet Jackson.
Despite the occasional tangents that he goes on (especially about the reasons he spends so much time at strip clubs), the book provides entertaining lessons learned from his trials and tribulations of working with platinum selling acts like Kriss Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Mariah Carey, and his troubles with the IRS are significant to the climax of this book: be accountable for your business. Get it today for any producer or aspiring producer you know.
(6 reviews)
