Acclaimed producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins may replace tough-tongued Brit Simon Cowell as judge on American Idol.

The music producer, who has worked with a bevy of artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson, reportedly drew the attention of Idol producers, when he appeared as a judge on Diddy’s MTV reality show, Starmakers.

“He’s very Simon-esque,” The New York Post quoted a spy as saying.

Jerkins has yet not confirmed the reports.