The dawn of So So Def 2.0 and a new chapter for Jermaine Dupri
In early September, Jermaine Dupri was busy taking calls at his Southside Studios in Brookhaven. It was the day his compilation album “Magic City” was supposed to drop. But the LP ― inspired by the Starz docuseries “Magic City: An American Fantasy” that Dupri executive produced and premiered in August ― was pushed back to the following week because of sampling issues.
“That’s a part of making rap music, I guess,” he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, dejectedly.
After all, “Magic City” is Dupri’s first album in more than 20 years. And he wants all eyes and ears on it. Although the Grammy-winning super-producer is responsible for creating an entire generation’s soundtrack in Atlanta and beyond, Dupri approaches his work with a chip on his shoulder as if he has more to prove.
About the Author
DeAsia is a music and culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She focuses on the intersection of arts, culture and diverse communities, as well as how emerging social trends are being expressed through the lens of the Atlanta aesthetic. DeAsia's work can be seen in Pitchfork, Essence, Teen Vogue, Elle and more.
