Jason Derulo started as a young songwriter. He became a global superstar. He showed great strength and creativity. His Haitian background influenced his music style. He mixed pop, hip-hop, and dance in his songs. He won the top prize on “Showtime at the Apollo.” He wrote songs for famous stars like Diddy and Lil Wayne.
Milestone / Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
Total Singles Sold Worldwide | He sold over 250 million singles. |
TikTok Followers | He has more than 58 million followers. |
Billboard Pop Songs Chart | He is the only solo artist to top the chart in the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. |
He grew up in Miami, close to Haiti, and felt connected to the Caribbean.
He worked with artists like DJ Mustard and Timbaland.
He stayed close to Haiti by helping others through charity.
Key Takeaways
Jason Derulo began as a young songwriter. He became a global pop star. He did this by mixing many music styles. His Haitian roots shaped his music. They inspired him to help others with charity work. He had a serious neck injury. He stayed strong and worked hard. He made a successful comeback. Jason uses social media like TikTok. He connects with millions of fans. He shares his creativity online. His story shows that talent is important. Hard work matters too. Believing in yourself can lead to great success.
Jason Derulo’s Early Years
Childhood and Influences
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Birth Name | |
Birth Date | September 21, 1989 |
Birthplace | |
Parents | Joel Desrouleaux (father), Jocelyne Desrouleaux (mother) |
Heritage | Both parents are of Haitian descent; migrated from Haiti to Florida |
Family Background | Middle class, close-knit family; parents supported his musical talents |
Surname Origin | Desrouleaux is a French surname common in Haiti; pronunciation influenced stage name ‘Derulo’ |
Jason Derulo’s real name is Jason Joel Desrouleaux. He was born on September 21, 1989, in Miramar, Florida. His parents, Joel and Jocelyne, came from Haiti. They wanted their family to have more chances in America. Jason’s Haitian background was important to him. It helped shape his childhood and music. His family worked hard and always helped him with his love for music.
“Michael Jackson inspired Jason Derulo the most. When Jason was four, he saw Michael Jackson perform. He felt amazed by how Michael Jackson connected with people. Jason also liked Elvis Presley, Madonna, Prince, Usher, and Justin Timberlake.”
Jason started dancing when he was very young.
He admired Michael Jackson and MC Hammer.
At thirteen, he spent time in a recording studio.
Songwriting Beginnings
Jason Derulo showed his talent early in life. He won the top prize on Showtime at the Apollo as a teenager. This win helped him meet music producer J. R. Rotem. J. R. Rotem signed Jason to Beluga Heights Records and Warner Bros. Records.
Jason studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He learned opera, theater, and ballet there. This taught him to work hard and tell stories in music. He learned that every word in a song matters. By sixteen, Jason wrote songs for other artists. He worked with Diddy, Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, Sean Kingston, Cassie, and Lil Wayne. He also wrote “Bossy” for Birdman and sang on that track. These early jobs helped him start his solo career.
Breakthrough and Solo Debut
First Record Deal
Jason Derulo’s path to fame started with many steps. He showed his songwriting talent early. This helped him get his first record deal.
At 17, he wrote and sang the chorus for “Bossy.” This showed his strong voice and ideas.
Tommy Rotem from Beluga Heights found Jason on MySpace. He asked Jason to write songs for Sean Kingston.
Jason met J.R. Rotem. They worked well together in the studio.
J.R. Rotem saw that Jason worked very hard. Jason could write many songs in one day.
The Beluga Heights team liked Jason’s talent. They signed him to their label. The label worked with Warner Records starting in August 2008.
Beluga Heights started in 2006. The label helped new artists grow. Their deal with Warner Records gave Jason support to start his solo career.
Whatcha Say and Chart Success
Jason released his first single, “Whatcha Say,” in 2009. The song used a sample from Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” It became popular very fast. “Whatcha Say” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This was a big moment for Jason’s career. The song sold millions of copies. It helped Jason become a famous pop singer.
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
“Whatcha Say” | |
Billboard Hot 100 Peak | #1 |
Album | Jason Derulo’s self-titled debut album |
Album Certification | Platinum |
Single Certification | Multi-platinum |
Follow-up Singles | “In My Head” (#5), “Ridin’ Solo” (#9) |
Career Impact | Launched Jason as a pop star with strong commercial success |
Additional Notes | Opened for Lady Gaga in 2010; continued to release radio hits |
“Whatcha Say” did more than top the charts. It helped Jason make more hit songs. His first album went platinum. His next songs also made the top ten. Jason’s early wins showed he could make music people loved.
Career Milestones
Hit Singles and Albums
Jason Derulo became famous for his many hit songs and albums. He put out his first album in 2010. This album had “Whatcha Say,” which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It got triple Platinum from the RIAA. His next albums, like Future History and Talk Dirty, had more big songs. “Talk Dirty” and “Wiggle” both went Platinum. In 2015, he made Everything Is 4. It had “Want to Want Me.” That song was number one in the UK for four weeks. It also reached the top five in the US.
Release | Notable Singles | Chart Highlights | Sales / Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
Debut Album: Jason Derulo (2010) | “Whatcha Say” (No.1 Billboard Hot 100, 3x Platinum RIAA), “In My Head” (No.1 Australia & UK) | Album peaked at No.11 on Billboard 200 | Combined 28 million albums and songs sold in US (as of 2015) |
Future History (2011) | “Don’t Wanna Go Home” (No.1 UK), “It Girl” (Top 5 Australia, NZ, UK) | Singles charted top 10 in Australia | Certified Gold |
Talk Dirty (2014) | “Talk Dirty”, “Wiggle” (both Platinum singles) | Album peaked No.4 US Billboard 200 | 245,000 US sales, Platinum RIAA certification |
Everything Is 4 (2015) | “Want to Want Me” (No.5 Billboard Hot 100, 4 weeks No.1 UK) | – | Certified Gold |
Platinum Hits (2016, Compilation) | Includes multiple hits | Charted US No.68, UK No.46 | Platinum BPI (UK), Platinum RMNZ (NZ) |
Nu King (2024) | Includes “Swalla” (2x Platinum), “Take You Dancing” (Platinum), “Tip Toe” (Gold) | Certified Gold same day of release | Gold certification = 500,000 sales/stream equivalents US |
Singles | “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” (No.1 Billboard Hot 100, 2020) | First top 10 hit in 5 years | – |
Jason Derulo has 22 platinum singles and sold over 250 million records. Songs like “Wiggle,” “Take You Dancing,” and “Talk Dirty” have all gone multi-platinum. Three songs—“Swalla,” “Want to Want Me,” and “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)”—each have more than 1 billion streams. “Savage Love” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and in 16 countries.
Streaming helped Jason Derulo become even more popular. The RIAA says 1,500 streams count as one album sale. This helped his 2024 album Nu King get Gold on its first day.
“Want to Want Me” was a huge hit around the world. The song got platinum awards in many countries.
Awards and Recognition
Jason Derulo’s music and songwriting have won him many awards. He got honors from big groups.
CMT Music Awards
Teen Choice Awards
YouTube Music Awards
He won Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Pop Awards. He also got Teen Choice Awards for his hit songs. These awards show he is important in pop and R&B music.
Acting and Dancing
Jason Derulo does more than just sing. He learned ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop when he was young. He started acting in middle school. He won the top prize on “Showtime at the Apollo” in 2006. He went to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. This helped him become a great performer.
He acted in the 2019 movie “Cats.” This was a big step in his acting career. He also danced on “Dancing With The Stars.” People liked his dance moves and energy. Some critics did not like everything, but many said he was great on stage.
Jason Derulo can sing, dance, and act. He is a real entertainer. His shows and movies help him reach fans everywhere.
Challenges and Growth
Injury and Comeback
In January 2012, Jason Derulo hurt his neck badly. He was practicing for his Future History Tour. He tried a backflip but landed on his head. This broke his C2 vertebra. Doctors said this kind of injury can cause paralysis or worse. His mother drove him to the hospital fast. He got emergency care right away. He wore a neck brace for seven months. He had trouble doing simple things like tying his shoes and showering. Because of the injury, he had to cancel his tour. He could not perform on stage for a long time.
Jason Derulo said his girlfriend, Jordin Sparks, helped him a lot. She gave him support when he felt sad and weak. She stayed by his side during the hardest times.
Even though he was in pain, Jason Derulo did not give up. He felt lucky to be alive and wanted to keep going. He sang “Undefeated” on the American Idol finale. This was his first time back on stage. He also became a dance master on Everybody Dance Now in Australia. In 2013, he put out “The Other Side.” The song made it to the Billboard Hot 100. His album Tattoos and the hit “Talk Dirty” came next. These songs showed he was back and stronger than before.
Sang “Undefeated” on American Idol.
Became a dance master on TV.
Released new songs and albums that were big hits.
Personal Development
Jason Derulo shares life lessons with his fans. He says discipline and hard work are important for success. He talks about believing in yourself and having a good routine. He tells people to keep trying, even when things are hard or doors close.
He thinks hard work and not giving up are key.
He tells fans to keep going, no matter what happens.
“Perseverance and self-belief can turn setbacks into comebacks,” Jason often tells his audience.
Influence and Recent Projects
Collaborations
Jason Derulo has worked with many famous stars. He joined will.i.am as an ambassador for FYI.AI. They mix music and technology together. Will.i.am said Jason is creative and loves new ideas. Jason also sang with Little Mix on “Secret Love Song.” The song is on Little Mix’s album “Get Weird.” It became very popular on social media. Fans and critics liked the song’s strong feelings. Jason worked with rapper 2 Chainz on “Talk Dirty.” This song was number one in seven countries. It got quadruple platinum in the United States.
Jason Derulo opened for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball tour. He performed with Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez. This shows he is liked in pop and R&B.
Social Media and Global Reach
Jason Derulo uses social media to talk to fans everywhere. He is a top creator on TikTok with over 66 million followers. His videos get lots of views and likes. After leaving his old record label, he used TikTok to share music and fun things. This helped him sign with Atlantic Records. He also works with will.i.am to make AI content that mixes music and technology. On Instagram, he keeps growing his followers and gets many likes and comments.
Platform | Followers | Engagement Rate | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
TikTok | 66.2 million | 0.76% | Top music artist on the platform |
Growing | High | Consistent likes and comments |
His fun and easy-to-understand posts help him get new fans and keep old fans interested.
Philanthropy
Jason Derulo helps many charity projects. He joined OHM Live, a 24-hour event for COVID-19 relief. The event gave money to groups like the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières. He also worked with Make-A-Wish and TikTok LIVE to help sick children. Fans sent virtual gifts during his live stream. TikTok gave money for each gift. These actions brought hope and help to people who need it.
His charity work shows he wants to help others, not just make music.
Jason Derulo’s story shows how talent and hard work matter. He faced problems but kept going and got better in music and business. He also did well in entertainment.
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2003 | Found at age 14 |
2009 | Put out “Whatcha Say” |
2012 | Grew his career and got past an injury |
Ongoing | Helped others and started new things |
His life shows that you need to work hard, believe in yourself, and be brave enough to change and grow.
FAQ
What is Jason Derulo’s real name?
Jason Derulo’s real name is Jason Joel Desrouleaux. He chose “Derulo” as his stage name because it is easier to say and remember.
How did Jason Derulo become famous?
He started as a songwriter for artists like Diddy and Lil Wayne. His debut single, “Whatcha Say,” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and made him a star.
What styles of music does Jason Derulo perform?
Jason Derulo blends pop, R&B, hip-hop, and dance music. He often mixes different sounds to create catchy songs that appeal to many people.
Has Jason Derulo won any major awards?
Jason Derulo has won BMI Pop Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and Songwriter of the Year. These awards show his talent as both a singer and songwriter.
How does Jason Derulo connect with his fans?
He uses TikTok, Instagram, and live streams to share music, dance videos, and personal updates. His creative posts help him reach millions of fans worldwide.
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