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Producer

In the music industry, the Dark Child label is synonymous with chart-topping musical production. Most fans can identify the label's work through a myriad of R&B hit singles like Mary J. Blige's, "Enough Cryin' " and Beyoncé and Jay-Z's collaborative single, "Déjà vu." Producer Fred Jerkins, who shares production duties with his brother, Rodney Jerkins, attributes the success of the label to a dedication to music and staying surrounded by people who share the vision. "You've got to live it. We spend countless hours in the studio so I mean for us, we live it. God keeps giving us our creativity and the thing about staying creative is it's about not having 'yes' people around you," he asserts.

Although most recognize Dark Child's productions because of urban music, Jerkins felt it was important to allow his creativity to transcend genres. "You have to be up for change [and] listen to what is going on. We definitely try not to limit ourselves to only urban songs and tracks, but we don't compromise our sound," he shares. "We have had different styles of music, we'll do pop tracks, we'll do country tracks, but we try to keep it where [people] can still identify it with us."

Since the addition of Dark Child Gospel to the label, which already boasts a résumé of work with artists like Kirk Franklin and George Huff, Jerkins has high hopes that the company will have a strong impact in gospel music too. "Gospel is new for us, but [we understand] it's not just about singing good. The element in anointing is needed in gospel music, period," he says. "It's never an easy thing, but if we keep God first and stay on the grind, success will happen." - jamana Jamison

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