jermaine dupri mauldin (born september 23, 1972) is an american rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, dj, and entrepreneur. he and janet jackson have been partners from 2002 to 2009. dupri is a member of the hip hop group kris kross and has collaborated with artists, including mariah carey and usher. he released his first album, "life in 1472" in 1998.