Complex Blog » Jermaine Dupri

Wake N’ Watch: Fabolous f/ Jay-Z “When The Money Goes”

bfred — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:00:15 +0000

Ah, another present from Uncle Hov. In 2007, Fabolous remade two unreleased Jay-Z demo songs—”Make Me Better” and “Return of the Hustle”—into singles for his album From Nothin’ To Somethin’. And now, Fab is back with a video for one of the standout tracks on Loso’s Way, a Jermaine Dupri-produced cut that originally leaked back in January…as a Jay-Z song. “Where The Money Goes” was rumored to be an outtake from American Gangster, but Fab got his hands on it and kept Jay on the hook. Interestingly, this is also the first cameo Jay-Z has made in another rapper’s video since Freeway’s “What We Do” in 2003. Can’t stop the Brooklyn bromance!

Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.

The Complex 7: Bow Wow

donniek — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:44:35 +0000

Uh oh, faux rap-retirement alert! There was news today that Bow Wow announced his retirement from music to focus on his acting. Do we believe him? Of course not. But really, hate him or love him, Bow Wow has accomplished a great deal for a 22-year-old: six successful studio albums, several lead movie roles (including the upcoming Hurricane Season, about a post-Katrina hoops team), and a few highly memorable appearances on Entourage. Most recently he reunited with longtime mentor Jermaine Dupri for the album New Jack City II, which dropped March 31.

Despite naming his album after the classic drug-gang film, Bow Wow sticks to what he knows best—making poppy records for the 106 & Park crowd. We recently asked Bow Wow our always-interesting Complex 7 questions. Read on to find the out his ultimate turnoff, the stupidest shit he’s ever done, and making up with Soulja Boy…

Interview by Jaeki Cho

#1: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Bow Wow says: Being needy. I hate that. ‘I have to dress up, and I have to put on makeup.’ No! Just to go to Boston Market? You have to put on makeup? I’m a simple dude. I just rock Jordan shorts, a fresh pair of kicks, a wife beater and keep it pushing. If I’m going in just chilling, with no cameras, then why do you need to throw it up? I’ve always been a person who could be impressed by just simple things because I’m used to seeing all the great things in life, and that stuff get boring.

#2: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Bow Wow says: I’ve only had two girlfriends in my lifetime. They just ran out. It might sound weird but most girls were just like, ‘I don’t want to see you anymore.’ And I’m like, ‘Aight.’ Nothing crazy. I got busy. They got busy. I became Bow Wow, and I was never home. I was ready to keep it moving because my career was more important.

#3: WHAT’S YOU FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Bow Wow says: Probably the Air Jordan Retro IVs. I don’t think you can go wrong with those. I have just one pair. I just got the black and red colorways yesterday.

#4: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Bow Wow says: Man, one time I wore boxers to school. Stupidest [thing] I’ve ever done in my life. I was probably about 7. They were Tampa Bay Lightning boxers. They were big as hell. So I wore boxers and another pair of boxers on top, thinking they were shorts. Throughout the whole day of school walking around like that. I’ll never forget that. Some caught on but some didn’t because they really looked like shorts. That was embarrassing.

#5: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bow Wow says: I would just sleep all week, everyday, wake up, eat, and go right back.

#6: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Bow Wow says: I still play ball a lot so, Gatorade all the time.

#7: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Bow Wow says: Shit, I don’t remember what to cry about really. When [Def Jam exec] Shakir Stewart passed away it was more of a shock than anything. Of course, Jermaine and those guys were around him all the time. But to me it was more of a shocker, ‘Like what? What the fuck?’ I couldn’t understand it, and I couldn’t believe it. One of them type of hurtful feelings.

BONUS QUESTIONS: Bow Wow comments on his sneaker game, and his current relationship with Soulja Boy.

Complex: You had a public dispute with Soulja Boy because he disrespected your sneaker game. At this point, do you still consider yourself the “King of Jordans”?

Bow Wow says: First off, me and Soulja cool. We just did a spring break thing in Florida. We spoke, and I ain’t got no problem with him. He’s doing his thing, and I’m doing mine. As far as the Jordans? I’ve been slacking. I’m a sneaker fanatic though. Chris Brown and I, we probably have the best sneaker collection. His shit is like a Foot Locker how he got that shit up. I thought I was doing something crazy; he really made me go hard at it. We’re out in the road, so we’re getting sneakers. I was at Flight Club NYC just yesterday.

Complex: Do you have any regrets for beefing with Soulja Boy over sneakers?

Bow Wow says: No, not at all since everything happens for a reason. He does what he does, and I do what I do. I think you learn from experience and keep it moving.

5 New Jobs for Jermaine Dupri

jerwin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:18:01 +0000

Will wear a less silly hat for work.

Bailouts, layoffs, bank failings'yeah we’d heard the economy sucks right now but we didn’t believe it until we woke up today and heard the rumors that Jermaine Dupri has been fired from his job as the head of urban music at Island/Def Jam (we refuse to believe his dismissal had anything to do with his business acumen). Can breadlines and Wall Street types hopping off buildings be far behind? Somebody confiscate Q the Kid’s shoelaces, stat!

But luckily for JD, he’s a multi-talented dude and he should have no problem transitioning into a variety of careers until the next Kris Kross comes around. But just in case, we’ve got a few job suggestions for him…

LIVE ACTION AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE SIGN

• You must be this tall to ride this rollercoaster. And don’t think you’re gonna slip by in those elevator Jordans.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

• There’s a huge cottage industry in teaching guys to seduce women; JD definitely knows a little something about dating above his level.

IRS REPO MAN

• Back in 2002 Dupri had a bunch of his cars repo’ed, so he should be able to handle the task with care and sensitivity.

FOOT LOCKER MANAGER

• Although potential employers should be careful he doesn’t try to lace Hot Dollar and J-Kwon with his employee discount.

MACY’S SANTA CLAUS

• No elf jokes, please.

Say Goodbye To The Old Janet Jackson

Joe — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:37:21 +0000

Well, Jermaine Dupri, you life-sized California Raisin, you had to go and ruin it for all of us. Just when we were getting used to the fact that you've been consistently slaying Janet Jackson for the better portion of the last decade, today you've made it clear in a People.com article that you two are finally ready for a baby.

Don't get us wrong, it was bound to happen, but we're just not ready to say goodbye to the Janet we remember from the “Love Will Never Do Without You” and “Anytime, Anyplace” vids. Childbirth takes its toll on a hottie's body'just ask B.Spears. Juicy-J, with your tight ass and perky twos headed toward sag town, we wanted to take a minute to remember when you were at your best. Reminisce on some classic moments below.

Janet in “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” circa 1990:

Her infamous topless Rolling Stone cover circa 1993.

JJ looking like the girl next door in a photoshoot in the late '90s.

The JT-assisted nip flash heard ’round the world during the 2004 Superbowl Halftime Show.

A recent bikini shot of Janet. And probably the last time we’ll see her ever look this good. Thanks, JD: