Rodney Roy Jerkins[3] (born July 29, 1977), better known by his stage nameDarkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists.
Jerkins' father, Frederick, is anEvangelical pastor and his mother was a housekeeper. Jerkins began playing piano at age five. He would follow his brother and father, who both played at church gatherings.
At age 13, he was offered a chance to work at a studio inAtlantic City, but declined.[10] At age 14, Jerkins was mentored by his idol,Teddy Riley, but he did not accept a contract offer to work with the producer due to an aspiration to build an "empire" without such support.[11] He was also offered a chance to work atBad Boy Records, but declined.[10] At 16, he was approached by James Jones, formerly ofUptown Records, and moved in with him toHackensack to work with him. One of their first sessions was withPatti LaBelle.[10]
In 2013, Jerkins was hired on to be a producer for Michael Jackson's posthumous albumXscape. He originally worked on the title track for the album from 1999 to 2001. He is the only producer to work on the original version and reworking version of the title track.
When asked by Ryan Seacrest in 2013 the favourite people he's produced for he said "DefinitelyThe Saturdays. Without a doubt. I had a lot of fun working with them and was really impressed with their voices. They were very down to earth and I like that a lot in an artist. I wish them all the best in America and think they could end up as big as The Spice Girls."[15]
In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, Jerkins produced a song featuring the Palestinian 2013Arab Idol winnerMohammed Assaf.
In 2017, he producedBlind andMakings of You forTamar Braxton.
In 1999, Jerkins joinedSony/Epic Records to promote singerRhona Bennett, Pop/R&B girl groupSo Plush, and rapper Fats. Fats appeared on two tracks on which Jerkins produced forMichael Jackson's albumInvincible, and So Plush released the single "Things I've Heard Before". Subsequently, So Plush's singles, "Damn" and "Things I've Heard Before", were pressed and made available aspromos, and Rhona's album was released in Japan. In 2005, Darkchild Records reemerged when Jerkins signed acts includingShamari Fears, formerly of R&B groupBlaque, female MC Asia Lee,dancehall artist Atiba, crossover act Natasha Bradley, and gospel singerAnesha Birchett.
In 2006, he was appointed VP ofArtists & repertoire (A&R) forThe Island Def Jam Group. Jerkins released his wifeJoy Enriquez's second albumAtmosphere of Heaven, which features a religious direction, on his independent gospel imprint JoyFul Child Records. The Darkchild name has been loaned to Darkchild Gospel, a record company run by Jerkins' brother,Fred Jerkins III.[16]
In late 2008, Jerkins joinedNicholas Longano, Ray Brown, and Jonathan E. Eubanks in creatingMusic Mogul, Inc.[17] MusicMogul.com was an online portal where artists can communicate with their fans. Each quarter, members vote for the best video performances.[18] The top performers were then flown to Los Angeles to compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The winner would get a demo deal with Darkchild Productions.[19]
^Jackson, Vincent."MUSIC / Jerkins Brothers Have Shot At Winning Grammys Tonight",Press of Atlantic City, February 23, 2000. Accessed December 28, 2010. "Local record producer Rodney Jerkins – who had a half dozen hits in 1999 – should walk out of the Grammy Awards ceremony tonight with either a Grammy award or a certificate... The Galloway Township resident, whose DarkChild recording studio is in Pleasantville..."
^Jackson, Vincent."(Rodney) Jerkin's Journey / How Hometown Musician Got To The Grammy Awards",The Press of Atlantic City, February 21, 1999. Accessed January 31, 2011. "Six years ago, record producer Rodney Jerkins, 15, was an Absegami High School sophomore trying to sell cassettes of his Christian rap album. Now, Jerkins is the producer of the No. 1 pop song in the country, has his own record label and has been asked to work with Michael Jackson."
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