So far, thats precisely the reputation hes built.
Ahead, Dupri chats about his legacy, his upbringing, and the challenges hes faced along the way.
Do you still feel like there are goals left to accomplish?
Credit: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
So actually, Im thinking, okay, I got to work.
The narrative doesnt show a person like me, period.
Thats not my goal.
My goal is forever.
What were you like when you were a kid?I went to art school.
I could really, really draw.
I thought I was going to be an artist.
I was so into drawings and then I started DJing and rapping.
It takes time to become good at anything.
So I will spend time trying to develop myself.
Has there ever been a song that you thought would not come together and then did?Artist wise?
I struggled with making a lot of records to get to where we got to.
I couldnt find it for nothing in the world.
I thought I had it, but it wasnt that.
I couldnt find it.
It was taking me longer than it had ever taken me to find where I need to be.
I just wanted it to happen so bad.
So I could tell that it was a fake reaction.
I said, I dont even know whats going to happen.
Female rappers dont go platinum.
I had it in my mind that it wasnt going to work.
What was the moment it changed in your head?
[Pause] It never changed.
[Laughs] Never changed.
I never felt like, oh, okay, this, here we go.
I never felt like that.
I felt like I got to a space where I understood her more.
Usher was going to get dropped.
He was at a position in his life where they didnt know what to do with him.
So I was the last resort.
And I aint know that going into it.
If I wouldve known, I probably wouldnt have [said yes].
You aint putting that pressure on me!
Jermaine Dupri & So So Def: 25 Years of Elevating Culture runs through Jan. 2019
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