Legendary songwriter and producer Rodney Jerkins, a.k.a Darkchild, will be inducted into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony takes place June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Jerkins joins a class that includes George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers (Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons), Ashley Gorley, Mike Love, and Tony Macaulay.
“Wow, I’m so honored to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025! It’s such a humbling feeling to be among the legends,” Jerkins wrote in a Instagram post. “These songs — ‘Say My Name,’ ‘The Boy Is Mine,’ ‘You Rock My World,’ ‘Déjà Vu,’ and ‘Telephone’ — aren’t just about me; they’re about the incredible artists, collaborators, and moments that made them come to life.”
He added, “I want to thank everyone who’s supported me along the way. This is a reminder that dreams come true when you keep God at the center and stay dedicated to your craft. Here’s to continuing the legacy and making more music that inspires generations.”
Music legend and Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman Nile Rodgers, said in a statement, “The foundation of the music industry exists because songwriters compose great songs. Without them, there is no recorded music, no concert business, no fans, or merchandising; it all starts with the song and the songwriter.”
He continued, “We are therefore very proud that we are continually recognizing some of the culturally most important writers of all time and that this year’s slate represents not just iconic songs, but also diversity and unity across genres and ethnicity. These songwriters have enriched the lives of billions of listeners the world over. It’s our honor to honor them.”
To be eligible for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which honors composers and lyricists for their impact on music, a songwriter must have a discography dating back 20 years from their first significant commercial song release.
As Jerkins indicted in his statement, he has helmed classics like Brandy and Monica‘s “The Boy Is Mine,” Destiny’s Child‘s “Say My Name” and Michael Jackson‘s “You Rock My World.”
His extensive resumé also includes hits like Toni Braxton‘s “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” Mary J. Blige‘s “I Can Love You” featuring Lil’ Kim, Whitney Houston‘s “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay,” Joe‘s “Don’t Wanna Be a Player,” Janet Jackson‘s “Feedback” and SZA‘s “Shirt,” to name a few.
Outside of R&B, Jerkins has worked with Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga, among others.
Key songs by 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees catalog:
George Clinton
- Atomic Dog
- Flash Light
- (Not Just) Knee Deep
- I’d Rather Be With You
- Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)
Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers)
- Listen to the Music
- Takin’ It to the Streets
- Black Water
- What a Fool Believes
- Long Train Runnin’
Ashley Gorley
- I Had Some Help
- Last Night
- You Should Probably Leave
- Play It Again
- You’re Gonna Miss This
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins
- Say My Name
- The Boy Is Mine
- You Rock My World
- Deja Vu
- Telephone
Mike Love
- California Girls
- Good Vibrations
- The Warmth of the Sun
- I Get Around
- Fun, Fun, Fun
Tony Macaulay
- Baby Now That I’ve Found You
- Build Me Up Buttercup
- Don’t Give Up on Us
- (Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All
- Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
For more information about the 2025 inductees, visit songhall.org.
