Music History
June 11, 2025
Photorgaphed by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
If you’ve ever heard the whisper of “Darkchild 99” at the beginning of a song, chances are you were about to listen to a hit. Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins has been the creative force behind some of the most popular tracks from the late 1990s and early 2000s, working with stars like Michael Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Brandy, and Whitney Houston. His signature sound helped define an era of pop and R&B, and it continues to shape music today.
Born in 1977 in Pleasantville, New Jersey, Darkchild grew up in a deeply musical household. His father was a pastor, and his mother led the church choir. By age ten, he was studying album liner notes and making demo tapes. At sixteen, he caught the attention of Uptown Records and became a protégé of Teddy Riley, a pioneer of New Jack Swing. By eighteen, he was producing for Mary J. Blige.
His sound is rooted in Gospel but always tuned into the pulse of R&B and pop. That genre-crossing approach quickly opened the doors for Darkchild, leading to high-profile collaborations and hits with the industry’s biggest names. Whether producing for Whitney Houston, Justin Bieber, or Raye, Darkchild knows how to make a hit. Here are some of these hits, all from different phases in his career:
This Grammy-winning single began as a demo Clive Davis dismissed as “the worst song” he had ever heard. Jerkins reworked it with a stark intro and icy piano riff, creating a haunting, danceable anthem of independence, that Whitney recorded vocals on in just two takes. The result was a standout on My Love Is Your Love, which won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and became one of her most iconic later hits. Over the years, the song has been revitalized through numerous remixes by DJs and producers such as Mr. Belt & Wezol and Felix Jaehn.
Originally met with skepticism from the group, “Say My Name” was inspired by UK garage music and built around an unconventional beat. The hook came from a real phone argument that LaShawn Daniels had in the studio. Jerkins saw its potential immediately. He later rebuilt the song during the final mix, keeping only the vocals. Despite doubts from the label, it became Destiny’s Child’s breakthrough hit, earning the group their first two Grammy Awards in 2001 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song.\
Jerkins described working with Jackson as a transformative experience. Jackson challenged him to go beyond standard production, asking for sounds recorded in junkyards and from breaking light bulbs. The lead single from Invincible blends Jackson’s classic melodies with Jerkins’ crisp R&B sensibility. The song became a commercial success and remains a favorite among fans. Even comedian Chris Tucker’s spoken intro was a spontaneous moment that made it into the final version.
This funk-driven single reunited Beyoncé and Jerkins, bringing a high-energy mix of horns, basslines, and groove. Jerkins aimed to create a track reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s style. He and bassist Jon Jon Webb drew inspiration from Jackson’s Off the Wall album, incorporating classic funk elements and a “seven major chord change” to give the song a dynamic, journey-like feel. Jay-Z’s verses and Beyoncé’s powerful performance made it an instant hit. The live Homecoming version from Coachella recently went viral on TikTok and gave the track a second life.
Originally written by Jerkins and Lady Gaga in 2008 for Britney Spears, “Telephone” became a massive hit when Gaga recorded the track herself and brought in Beyoncé. Jerkins restructured the beat to fit Beyoncé’s verse, which she recorded while on tour in Japan. He created a layered, punchy instrumental blending synth stabs, processed vocals, and heavy club rhythms, and later tweaked the second half of the beat specifically to match the two singers’ strong vocals. The final product was a bold, infectious track supported by a cinematic video that became a cultural moment in its own right.
“Stay With Me” stands as one of the defining songs of the past decade. Released in 2014, it became Sam Smith’s breakout hit. When Capitol Records worried that the song’s slow tempo wouldn’t work on U.S. radio, Jerkins was brought in to elevate it. He added subtle gospel-inspired elements, including a choir, Hammond organ, and light percussion. These additions deepened the track’s emotion, which went on to win Record and Song of the Year at the 2015 Grammys and reach No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This was one of the first songs SZA and Jerkins worked on together. It all started when SZA’s back-then manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, reached out to Jerkins via a direct message on Instagram. Yet before Jerkins and Freaky Rob turned it into a more stripped-down version, it was titled “Narnia Dirt Bike.”SZA teased it on TikTok, and the response helped propel it to popularity even before its official release. The final version became a standout in both SOS and SZA’s repertoire.
Jerkins has expanded his role in the music industry, moving beyond production into label leadership and partnerships. He recently launched Alienz Alive, a faith-based label focused on genre-blending artists, and partnered with TAMLA Records to help revive its storied legacy. He also sold a portion of his royalty catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners. Alongside these ventures, Jerkins continues to mentor emerging talent and influence the sound of contemporary music from behind the scenes.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date with Gen Admission 🎶
