Legendary producer Jermaine Dupri recently sat down with Bootleg Kev for a candid conversation that touched on a lesser-known chapter in hip-hop history—his brief but talked-about tension with Dr. Dre and Eminem.
According to Dupri, the whole situation started with a simple magazine interview, where he confidently claimed that if placed in separate rooms, he would finish a full song before Dr. Dre. “That’s what I do,” JD explained, noting his ability to write, produce, record, and even sing hooks if necessary. “It might not be great, but I’m going to finish the whole song.”
That statement didn’t sit well with Dre—or his camp. The moment sparked a ripple through the industry, with artists like Eminem and others throwing shots at JD, including a jab on an Obie Trice album. Dupri remembers it not as a full-blown beef, but more like a moment where “everybody was piling on JD.”
Despite the public dust-up, JD says he’s always respected Dre and views him as one of the greatest contributors to hip-hop. “We had a conversation. I told him I didn’t want no beef. I love Dr. Dre’s music,” he said, revealing that their relationship has since healed to the point where Dre even let him host a party at his house.
As for Eminem, the two never had a personal conversation—but Dupri doesn’t take it personally. “Eminem was just doing what a crew member is supposed to do,” he said, acknowledging that Eminem was defending his camp.
JD also used the interview to highlight how underappreciated his contributions to hip-hop really are, especially when it comes to launching the careers of young rappers. “I ushered young rappers into the game,” he stated proudly, citing massive success stories like Kris Kross and Lil’ Bow Wow. “Kris Kross’ first album sold 8 million. ‘Beware of Dog’ is at 4 million.”
Later in the interview, JD compared his creative process to that of other rap icons, sharing stories about working with Jay-Z and witnessing Biggie record a reference track for Lil’ Kim. He marveled at their ability to write full verses in their heads without ever putting pen to paper—something JD now does himself. “I did the exact same thing with "Confessions." I wrote it in the car, just looking around LA.”
Source: Bootleg Kev
