Legendary producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
How did Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins earn himself a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame?
Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins. Wikimedia Commons/Eva Rinaldi
702's Gugs Mhlungu and musicologist and academic registrar at the Academy of Sound Engineering, Dr Sheldon Leal, discuss the legendary producer's career.
He's worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, the Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, and Mary J. Blige.
He crafted the Brandy sound that the world came to know.
He resurrected the career of a bankrupt Toni Braxton with 'He Wasn't Man Enough', which won her a Grammy for Best Female RnB Vocal Performance, and on the 12th of June, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
"He was to Brandy what Quincy was to Michael Jackson."
Dr Sheldon Leal, Musicologist - Academy of Sound Engineering.
As with any legend in the music world, Jerkins' success boils down to innate talent and unwavering stubbornness.
He started playing piano at age 5, and by 14 he was being offered - and turning down - contracts from names such as Teddy Riley and Bad Boy Records.
At 17, he was approached by EMI and given license to fully follow his vision, first with Patty LaBelle, and later with the myriad stars mentioned above.
"The sign of a brilliant producer is being able to evolve and develop around the artist."
Dr Sheldon Leal, Musicologist - Academy of Sound Engineering
What, perhaps, sets Jerkins apart is his understanding is that the producer's job is to craft a sound for the artist, rather than impose his own vision on them.
It's his ability to create distinctly unique and iconic sounds for artists that turned him into one of the most respected producers in the RnB world.