School is out and summer is in full swing, but for seven aspiring artists, classes are just beginning! Learning from the best in the music industry, these young rappers have the opportunity to work with Grammy winner and producer Jermaine Dupri in an all-new season of The Rap Game.
Dupri enlists the support from some of the most successful artists in the music industry including iconic singer Mariah Carey and legendary rappers Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, Nelly, Bow Wow, Monica, DaBrat, Flo Rida and producers, Bryan-Michael Cox, Zaytoven and Mike Kalombo. The winner will receive a recording contract with Dupri’s label, So So Def Recordings. Grammy and Emmy award winner Queen Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere are executive producers under the Flavor Unit umbrella, alongside Mechelle Collins and Kevin Dill of Intuitive Entertainment and Dupri.
Art Eddy: Let’s talk about your show The Rap Game. You have been in the entertainment industry for some time now. You know what works and what doesn’t. What did you learn from Season 1 of The Rap Game to this season and did you make any changes on how you produced the show for Season 2?
Jermaine Dupri: We made changes when we realized that people are more into these kids getting into their craft. The rappers got a little more complex this time. It is a tougher challenge in Season 2. The challenges are a little tougher than they were in Season 1. We were just trying to feel each other out. People got eliminated in the first episode already, which we didn’t do in the last season.
It is not an elimination show. I had people on the show that I felt should be on the show, but they couldn’t take being under the pressure. It was stuff like that. Season 1 taught me that there are audiences for each type of rap style that each one of these kids would have.
AE: From the time you started out in the rap game to now a lot of things have changed. Artists have many outlets to get their music heard these days. Still to have you and other giants in the game like Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, Da Brat, and others come on the show and mentor these kids. Having those kids learn from you and the others is beyond tremendous. What do you hope the young artists takeaway from their time on the show?
JD: I hope they take away the love for the culture. I hope people at home take away the same thing. To understand the culture of Rap and how much you have to study to actually be at the top of this. I think a lot of that has gotten lost. I hope people take away the love for the culture.
Be sure to look out for my full interview with Jermaine Dupri coming soon for the My Life of Dad series where we talk fatherhood, music, and more. Plus make sure you go to global14.com and follow Jermaine on Twitter @jermainedupri. Go to The Rap Game show page here.
Here are the rappers who are in Season 2.
Jayla Marie, 11, Staten Island, NY – Jayla Marie recorded her first song at the age of three and started rapping a year and a half ago. During this time, she has been recognized by some of the biggest names in the industry including Nas and P. Diddy and has worked alongside World Star HipHop Foundation doing charity work. She is known as the Princess of Hip Hop and R&B because she puts some singing and harmonizing into her rap songs to give it that R&B feel.
J.I. aka The Prince of New York, 14, Brooklyn, NY – With three years of rapping under his belt, J.I. brings a level of lyrical genius that’s on par with some of the biggest names in the industry. Influenced by Tupac and Nas, what The Prince of NY lacks in experience, he makes up for in impressive freestyles and a unique flow.
Lil’ Key, 15, Baltimore, MD – Lil’ Key started rapping at ten years old when he performed a gospel rap in a church talent show. An avid writer, Lil’ Key writes his own music and is focused on finding a unique sound to stand out from his peers
Mani, 15, South Central LA, CA – Mani started spending time in the studio when he was six years old and released his first mixtape at twelve. He recently dropped his single, “I’m the Best,” and has been making music with DJ Battlecat and Tha Dogg Pound, as well as opening for Mindless Behavior. Managing Mani’s career is a family affair with his mom focusing on the business side of matters and his dad.
Mini Barbie, 12, Atlanta, GA – At the age of two, Mini Barbie impressed her mom by singing Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” verbatim and since then, has performed all over Atlanta. A fashion trendsetter with devoted fans, she idolizes Nicki Minaj and wants to be the last rapper standing.
Nia Kay, 14, Chicago, IL – Nia Kay began rapping at the age of eight and made her first music video by the time she was ten. With the encouragement from her parents, she uses rap as a platform to express herself, always pushing to be better and work harder. Inspired by Lil’ Wayne and Nicki Minaj, working alongside Jermaine would mean everything for Nia Kay.
Tally, 16, Nashville, TN – Tally discovered her rapping abilities accidentally, rapping the hook to a song her sister was singing. The discovery led her dad to recording her rapping in their home studio. While acting was Tally’s first passion, rapping has now taken over in hopes she can show other girls that regardless of their ethnicity background, they too can rap.