What was Jerome Benton's role in things when Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis careers took off?

I've noticed Jerome appears in many of their 80s soul work for Tabu records - like Alexander O'Neal (the classic "Hearsay" LP - he mentions Jerome at the party), Janet Jackson (onstage performance), and Herb Alpert's terrific Jam and Lewis hit "Diamonds" (Jerome has a massive part in the video - he's great in it!).

I love seeing Jerome dance with Morris on stage during The Time performances, but he's real good in these other things as well.