Jim Jones (rapper)

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For other people named Jim Jones, see Jim Jones (disambiguation).
"ByrdGang" redirects here. For the criminal organization, see Byrd Gang.

Jim Jones
Jones in 2008
Jones in 2008
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Guillermo Jones II
Also known as
  • Jimmy Jones
  • CAPO
Born (1976-07-15) July 15, 1976 (age 47)
Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record executive
  • entrepreneur
  • music manager
DiscographyJim Jones discography
Years active1997–present
Labels
Member of
Children1
Websitevampirelifeent.com

Joseph Guillermo Jones II (born July 15, 1976),[1] better known by his stage name Jim Jones (or Jimmy Jones), is an American rapper and record executive. He is a founding member of the hip hop collective the Diplomats (also known as Dipset), which he formed in 1997 with fellow Harlem native Cam'ron.[2][3]

Following the commercially successful release of the group's debut album Diplomatic Immunity (2003), Jones released his debut solo album, On My Way to Church (2004) independently to mild success. His second and third albums, Harlem: Diary of a Summer (2005) and Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) (2006) both peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200. The former's release coincided with Jones landing an executive position in A&R for the independent record label Entertainment One Music (known then as Koch Records), while the latter was preceded by the single "We Fly High," which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also spawned a remix featuring T.I., Diddy, Birdman and Young Dro, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and led him to briefly sign with Columbia Records.

Jones' fourth album and only release by a major label, Pray IV Reign (2009) was met with continued success and spawned the single "Pop Champagne" (with Ron Browz featuring Juelz Santana), which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. His fifth album, Capo (2011) was supported by the lead single, "Perfect Day" (featuring Chink Santana). After a brief hiatus, he released his sixth and seventh studio albums, Wasted Talent (2018) and El Capo (2019).[4]

Early life[edit]

Jones, the son of an African American mother and Puerto Rican father, was born on July 15, 1976 at Flower-Fifth Avenue Hospital in Harlem,[5] and raised in the Bronx mainly by his maternal grandmother.[6]

Music career[edit]

2004–05: On My Way to Church and Harlem: Diary of a Summer[edit]

On My Way to Church is Jones' debut album. The album spawned two singles that made the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: "Certified Gangstas" (featuring Cam'ron, Bezel and The Game), which reached number 80, and "Crunk Muzik" (featuring his Dipset cohorts Cam'ron and Juelz Santana), which reached number 84. The album peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 chart, number three on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, and number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[7]

Harlem: Diary of a Summer, Jones' second album, reached number five on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Independent Albums charts, selling 350,000 copies.[8] Three of its singles placed on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: "Baby Girl", which reached number 58; "Summer Wit' Miami", which reached number 78;[9] and "What You Been Drankin' On?" (featuring Diddy, Paul Wall, and Jha Jha), which reached number 106.[10]

"We Fly High"
This song was among the most popular of 2006.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

2006–09: Hustler's P.O.M.E., Pray IV Reign and The Rooftop[edit]

Jones' third album Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), was more commercial and once again featured Dipset members along with Lil Wayne. The album spawned Jones' biggest single to date,[when?] "We Fly High". Jones introduced a signature dance move in the "We Fly High" video, throwing up a fake jump shot every time the ad-lib "Ballin!'" was stated in the song. This dance move became so popular that it inspired Michael Strahan and Plaxico Burress to do the dance move after big plays during a Monday Night Football game in 2006.[11]

From 2006 to 2008, Jones released a collaborative album with his rap group ByrdGang, titled M.O.B.: The Album, which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200, selling 16,000 the first week in stores and eventually selling 65,000 units. He has two Christmas compilation albums, A Dipset X-Mas and A Tribute To Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps, and a load of mixtapes, including Harlem's American Gangster, which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned his single "Love Me No More".

Jones' fourth studio album, Pray IV Reign, released March 24, 2009, was his major record label debut. The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart. On July 8, Jones released a promotional single titled "The Good Stuff" featuring NOE.[12][13] The album features "Pop Champagne", producer Ron Browz, and Juelz Santana. A bonus track on the album is "Jackin' Swagga From Us" with Twista, NOE, and Lil Wayne, which takes shots at T.I. and Jay-Z for allegedly stealing their styles and mocking their song "Swagga Like Us".[14] It is his first solo album under Columbia Records. In 2009, Jim Jones became Vice President of Urban A&R at Koch Records, which is now E1 Music.[15] On June 11, Jim Jones appeared on BET's 106 & Park along with DJ Webstar and announced that they will be releasing an album together titled The Rooftop.[16] He also announced that his documentary, This Is Jim Jones, will be released June 30, 2009. The first single from the album is "Dancin on Me", featuring Juelz Santana. It was officially released via iTunes on April 28. On September 22, hip hop website, RapRuckus, stated the album was scheduled for an October 6, 2009 release. The second single is titled "She Can Get It".[17] In late 2009, Jones left Columbia. According to XXLMag.com, Jones signed a deal to release his next solo album on E1, as well as a mixtape.[18]

2010–present: Capo, Dipset reunion and Vampire Life series[edit]

The mixtape, titled The Ghost of Rich Porter, was released March 23, 2010. In April 2010, Cam'ron and Jim Jones announced they ended their feud.[19] On June 26, 2010, Jones reunited with Cam'ron and Juelz Santana on a track titled "Salute", marking the return of the Diplomats.[20] They have begun working on an album together, and have been reportedly working with Dr. Dre.[21] In 2010, it was confirmed that Jones had started up a new record label imprint with Damon Dash entitled Splash Records. On April 5, 2011, Jones' released his fifth studio album, Capo, on E1.[22] On November 3, Jones released a mixtape, titled Capo Life, to promote the album and celebrate the launch of his new website.[23] The lead single off Capo, "Perfect Day" featuring Chink Santana and LOGiC, was released on iTunes December 7, 2010.[24] The album is the first to feature Cam'ron since Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment). Other guest appearances include rappers Game, Lloyd Banks, Prodigy, Raekwon and R&B singers Rell and Ashanti among others, and features notable production from longtime collaborator Chink Santana, Aaron LaCrate, Wyclef Jean, Drumma Boy and Lamont "LOGiC" Coleman. The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200, selling 21,000 copies in its first week, making Capo his lowest charting album to date.[when?]

On October 1, 2011, when Funkmaster Flex premiered a song on New York City's Hot 97 titled "It Ain't My Fault" featuring rappers T-Rex, Boogie Black and Sen City, it was revealed that it was the first offering from Webstar and Jones' upcoming second collaborative effort The Rooftop 2.[citation needed] In the summer of 2011, he was featured on Randyn Julius' "Party Tonight" with Teyana Taylor and fellow Dispet member Cam'ron.[25] On October 30, 2011, for the Halloween holiday, Jones released a mixtape titled Vampire Life: We Own the Night. The tape features twenty-four songs, including bonus tracks, freestyles and guest appearances from Meek Mill, J.R. Writer, Chink Santana, 2 Chainz, Maino, Yo Gotti and Jadakiss among others.[26][27]

On May 1, 2012, Jones released the second installment of his Vampire Life series entitled Vampire Life 2, it went on to be downloaded over 300,000 times on mixtape-sharing website DatPiff.[28][29] On March 11, 2013, Jones announced he was working on two new mixtapes V3 (Vampire Life 3) and The Ghost Of Rich Porter 2.[30] Vampire Life 3 was released on August 13, 2013.[31] On December 3, 2013, Jim Jones released an extended play (EP), titled We Own the Night. The EP was supported by the single "Nasty Girl", featuring American singer Jeremih. On June 24, 2014, Jones released a single titled "Wit the Shit", featuring American singer Trey Songz.[32] In July 2014, Jones revealed he would be releasing another EP, titled We Own the Night Pt. 2: Memoirs of a Hustler; it was released on September 9.[33][34]

On January 1, 2015, DJ Funkmaster Flex announced via Instagram that he had spoken to fellow Diplomat members Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana about an upcoming Diplomats mixtape which included fellow member Freekey Zeekey. He also stated that he would be hosting the mixtape along with DJs/producers DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz and DJ Mustard.[35]

Other ventures[edit]

Byrd Gang[edit]

Byrd Gang
GenresHip hop, rap
Years active2006-2010
LabelsAsylum
Past membersJim Jones
NOE
Freekey Zekey
Mel Matrix
Max B
Jha Jha
Stack Bundles (deceased)
Chink Santana

Jones introduced Byrd Gang in 2008. The group released their debut album, M.O.B.: The Album on Asylum Records.[36]

Fashion designing[edit]

Jones and Damon Dash co-own "Vampire Life Clothing".[37]

Acting career[edit]

Jones made his acting debut in the film State Property 2.He also appeared on the show Crash: The Series.[citation needed] Along with releasing the album Capo, Jones headlined in an off-Broadway musical called Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life and Mind of Jim Jones, produced by Damon Dash and Footage Entertainment.[38]

Reality television[edit]

Jones appeared in a supporting role in seasons 1 and 2 of the VH1 reality show, Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2011. He also later appeared in the final tenth season, in 2020.

Sports management[edit]

In December 2017, he became part owner of the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League.[39]

Controversies[edit]

Junior M.A.F.I.A.[edit]

At an altercation at the Rucker, members of Junior Mafia physically assaulted rap group the Diplomats, including Jim Jones. Jones was seen on camera, fleeing the altercation.

Tru Life[edit]

In a 2006 interview, Tru Life, responding to rumors, called Dipset bosses Cam'ron and Jim Jones "bitches."[40] Jones responded by challenging Tru Life to fisticuffs, with a US$50,000 wager.[41] Tru Life responded by stealing Jones' necklace[42] and taunting him on the 2007 mixtape Tru York,[43] which featured "a Photoshopped Jim Jones in a Borat-style thong and Cam'ron as a Seventh Avenue transsexual hooker" as the cover.[44] The Diplomats retaliated by hacking Tru Life's MySpace page, replacing the faces on the Tru York cover with Tru Life's and Jay-Z's.[45]

Gucci[edit]

In February 2022, Jones posted an Instagram video in which he detailed his experience of being racially profiled as a result of receiving poor customer service. He expressed his disappointment in Gucci’s employees by claiming that “These black people are more racist than white people when they get they job”. He goes on to further detail the event that left him a victim by explaining “I still ain’t get no sparkling water, I still ain’t get no champagne. I still ain’t get nothing.” [46]

Jay Z[edit]

Jim Jones has criticized Jay Z's performance as president of Def Jam Recordings.[47] Jay Z responded with a "diss" track called "Brooklyn High" over the beat from Jones' "We Fly High".[48]

On December 22, 2008, Jones punched and kicked a "friend and colleague" of Jay Z at a Manhattan Louis Vuitton store; he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault the following November.[49][50]

ASAP Mob[edit]

In a 2014 interview Jim Jones characterized ASAP Mob's style as "not street": "[T]hey're artistic, but they're not from the street... We got bonafide swag and the definition of get fly... Price point and high fashion don't really make it cool."[51] ASAP Mob member ASAP Rocky responded in his solo single "Multiply" by criticizing that characterization as a disingenuous ploy to sell overpriced branded merchandise.[52]

Azealia Banks[edit]

In July 2012, a social media-related conflict between Jim Jones and rapper Azealia Banks had started after Banks disrespected the rapper for getting more credit for her phrase "Vamp", as in Jones' mixtape series and label of the same name, Vampire Life, or his track "Vamp Life".[53] Enraged, Banks disrespected Jim Jones again via a track titled "Succubi".[54]

Discography[edit]

Main article: Jim Jones discography
See also: The Diplomats discography

Solo albums

Collaboration albums

Filmography[edit]

Films
Year Film Role Notes
2002 Paper Soldiers Himself Direct-to-video DVD
2005 State Property 2 Jimmy Jones Direct-to-video DVD
A Day in the Fast Life Himself Direct-to-video
2006 Killa Season Himself Direct-to-video DVD
2008 The Wire Man Standing In Front of Store Cameo/extra
2008 Righteous Kill Himself Cameo
Who's Deal? Devon Direct-to-video
2009 This Is Jim Jones Himself Documentary direct-to-video DVD
Red Apples Falling Himself Feature film
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Def Jam: Icon Himself Playable character
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2007-2014 Wild 'n Out Himself Guest
2011–2020 Love & Hip Hop: New York Himself Supporting
2012–2013 Chrissy & Mr. Jones Himself Main
2016 Jim & Chrissy: Vow or Never Himself Main
2017 Tales Taggert 1 episode
2018 Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition Himself 12 episodes
2022—present VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition Himself Main

Awards and honors[edit]

"Pop Champagne" was nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2009 Urban Music Awards.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Forest Whitaker, 37, tops today's list of celebrity birthdays". Orange County Register. July 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  2. ^ Goias, Matt. "Capo for a Day Archived 2006-12-09 at the Wayback Machine". Mass Appeal Magazine. Retrieved December 20, 2006.
  3. ^ Kwak, Donnie (August 13, 2004). "Jim Jones – Gotham City Hustler + 'Certified Gangsta' Video Archived 2007-11-03 at the Wayback Machine". Vibe Magazine. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  4. ^ Jim Jones El Capo (Album). 8o8wave.com. Retrieved on June 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Jim Jones On Dipset, Roc-A-Fella, Fred The Godson, & His Newfound Focus On Music - People's Party". UPROXX Video. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Kwak, Donnie (August 2004), "Jim Jones: Gotham City Suburb Trapin", Vibe, vol. 12, no. 8, p. 81
  7. ^ "On My Way to Church > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  8. ^ "Jim Jones > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  9. ^ "Jim Jones > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  10. ^ "What You Been Drankin' On". Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles. Billboard. December 3, 2005. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  11. ^ NFL Players Shooting Jump Shots During Games? Blame Jim Jones.
  12. ^ Jim Jones preps Beck 2 Back Archived July 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, defsound.com.
  13. ^ The Good Stuff, Amazon.com.
  14. ^ "Complex Blog » Jim Jones Explains His 'Swagger Like Us' Response". Complex Networks. October 4, 2008. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008.
  15. ^ [Jim Jones Accepts VP of Urban A&R Job at Koch Records]
  16. ^ Video: Jim Jones & DJ Webstar on 106 & Park Archived September 30, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Nahright.com (June 11, 2009). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  17. ^ Jim Jones collaborates with DJ Webstar to drop "The Rooftop" Archived September 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Hiphopruckus.com. Retrieved on January 11, 2012.
  18. ^ Kuperstein, Slava. (December 3, 2009) Jim Jones Leaves Columbia For E1 Archived December 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  19. ^ Miss Info Exclusive: Cam'ron and Jim Jones rebuild friendship, Jimmy issues public apology Archived May 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Missinfo.tv (April 19, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  20. ^ Koroma, Salima. (September 22, 2010) The Diplomats Reunite On Jim Jones' Next Album | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  21. ^ J-23 (October 4, 2010). "Dr. Dre Working with Dipset". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 27, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Capo: Jim Jones: Music. Amazon.com. Retrieved on January 11, 2012.
  23. ^ Jim Jones – CapoLife (Mixtape). 2dopeboyz.com. Retrieved on January 11, 2012.
  24. ^ iTunes – Music – Perfect Day (feat. Chink Santana & Logic) – Single by Jim Jones. Itunes.apple.com (December 7, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  25. ^ Jim Jones Party Tonight produced by Duane Darock. hotnewhiphop.com
  26. ^ Hillary Crosley (November 1, 2011). "Jim Jones releases 'Vampire Life' mixtape". BET. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  27. ^ "Jim Jones – Vampire Life (Mixtape)". 2DopeBoyz. October 31, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  28. ^ "Jim Jones - Vampire Life 2". DatPiff. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  29. ^ DJ Ill Will. "Jim Jones - Vampire Life 2". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  30. ^ HipHopDX (March 11, 2013). "Jim Jones Announces "The Ghost Of Rich Porter 2" & "V3" Mixtapes". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  31. ^ "Mixtape Not Found". DatPiff. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  32. ^ "iTunes - Music - Wit the Sh!t (feat. Trey Songz) - Single by Jim Jones". iTunes. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  33. ^ "Jim Jones Has A New EP On The Way This Month - XXL". XXL Mag.
  34. ^ "Amazon.com: We Own The Night Pt. 2: Memoirs Of A Hustler [Explicit]: Jim Jones: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  35. ^ Rose Lilah. "Dipset Reportedly Reuniting For New Mixtape". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  36. ^ "Jim Jones introduces Byrd Gang". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  37. ^ "#DamonDash: The Now #Humble #Life, Of a Once un-Humble #Man". Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  38. ^ Reid, Shaheem. (November 14, 2008) Jim Jones Sets His Sights On Broadway With 'Hip-Hop Monologues'. Mtv.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  39. ^ "Jim Jones Now Part Owner of AAL's Richmond Roughriders". American Arena League. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  40. ^ "SOHH.com / Pulse Report / Hip-Hop Cop Reveals B.I.G.'s Killer, Tru-Life Says "Fuck Cam'Ron," Ludacris Hearts Oprah, Vida Guerra Poses For Playboy". Archived from the original on July 16, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  41. ^ Carl Chery Ludacris Takes Shots at T.I. and Young Jeezy? Jim Jones Challenges Tru Life to Knuckle Up, The Game Names Names, Diddy Vs Lindsay Lohan | Pulse Report|SOHH.com. June 23, 2006
  42. ^ Burgess, Omar (February 25, 2011). "Jim Jones and Tru Life Squashed Their 10-Year Feud at Roc Nation". Complex Magazine.
  43. ^ Tru York Mixtape track listing". J-loveonline.com. Retrieved on January 11, 2012
  44. ^ Rosenthal, Jeff (April 23, 2013). "The 50 Worst Hip-Hop Fails 44. Tru-Life's MySpace Gets Hacked By Dipset". Complex Magazine.
  45. ^ Detrick, Ben (June 2007). "WWW.THUG.COM". Vibe. p. 109.
  46. ^ Marie, Erika. "Jim Jones Goes Off On Gucci After Employees Allegedly Ignore Him & His Entourage". HotNewHipHop.
  47. ^ Chery, Carl (August 26, 2005). "Jim Jones' Greasy Jay-Z Talk Archived 2006-12-21 at the Wayback Machine". SOHH.com. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  48. ^ "Brooklyn High Jim Jones Diss Lyrics by Jay-Z". Latinrapper.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2006. Retrieved January 11, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  49. ^ Reid, Shaheem (January 5, 2009). "MTV News Top Stories: Jim Jones Says He's 'Lucky' To Be Free After Alleged Fight With Jay-Z Associate ('All I know is I was shopping,' rapper tells MTV News of altercation in a Louis Vuitton store)". MTV.com.
  50. ^ "Billboard.com News: Rapper Jim Jones Pleads Guilty To NYC Assault". Billboard.com. Associated Press. October 7, 2009.
  51. ^ "Jim Jones Says Dipset Had The Most Influential Style In Hip-Hop". XXL. July 7, 2014.
  52. ^ "ASAP Rocky Disses Jim Jones In New "Multiply" Video, Says He's Being Extorted (Video)". slumz.boxden.com. Fake ass niggas, you know what I'm sayin'? These niggas be out here, talkin' 'bout they street niggas and shit, but man... Niggas be gettin' extorted like a ma' fucker out here.
  53. ^ "Azealia Banks & Jim Jones Beef On Twitter Over Taking Credit For "Vamp"". HipHopDX. August 6, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  54. ^ "Azealia Banks Fires Diss Song at Jim Jones - BET". BET. August 13, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016.

External links[edit]

Media related to Jim Jones (rapper) at Wikimedia Commons

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