Jim Jones (rapper)

For other people named Jim Jones, see Jim Jones (disambiguation).
Jim Jones

Jim Jones at the 5th Annual Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's Action Awards in New York City in February 2008.
Background information
Birth name Joseph Guillermo Jones II
Also known as Jimmy Jones, CAPO
Born July 15, 1976
The Bronx, New York City, United States
Origin Harlem, New York, United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, actor, music video director
Years active 1997–present
Labels Vampire Life (current)
Diplomat, Roc-a-fella Records, Koch, Columbia, E1, ByrdGang, Splash (former)
Associated acts The Diplomats, ByrdGang, Lil Wayne, Skull Gang, Chink Santana, DJ Webstar, Lloyd Banks
Website www.capolife.com

Joseph Guillermo Jones II (born July 15, 1976),[1] better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American Rapper from Harlem, New York City, New York. Jones, an original member of hip hop collective The Diplomats (also known as Dipset), is also the co-CEO of Diplomat Records, alongside childhood friend and fellow Harlem-based rapper Cam'ron.[2][3] Jones is also a noted music video director under the pseudonym CAPO, having directed videos for artists including Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, Remy Ma and State Property.

In 2004, he released his solo debut studio album On My Way to Church. The release of his second album, Harlem: Diary of a Summer in 2005, coincided with Jones' landing an executive position in A&R at E1 Music. A year later he was on his third album Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) (2006), which spawned his biggest single to date currently, "We Fly High". The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2006, Jones also formed the hip hop group ByrdGang and launched ByrdGang Records. The group released their debut album M.O.B.: The Album, under the newly found label in 2008. Jones followed up with his fourth solo album Pray IV Reign, which was released in March 2009, under Columbia Records. The album spawned the hit single "Pop Champagne". On April 5, 2011 Jones released his fifth studio album, Capo,[4] which was supported by the lead single "Perfect Day".

Early life

Jim Jones was born in the Tremont section of The Bronx and was raised in Harlem. His mom, Nancy Jones, is Aruban and his late father, Joseph Guillermo Jones I was Puerto Rican and was raised mainly by his maternal grandmother.[5] In an essay for Fader magazine, he stated that his mother would allow him to ride the train from their residence at 176th Street and Jerome Avenue to 110th Street and Lexington Avenue. He attended Catholic school but later began cutting church to loiter and play hooky at the train station. In Jim Jones' The Come Up DVD, Vol. 19, he tells his story about growing up with rapper Freekey Zekey. Jones claimed he would stay at a store a block from the church he attended, and would go in and hang out with the owner; when the owner left, Jones said he took all the money in the register and the candy and would sell it in school; he was later expelled.[6]

Music career

1997-2003: Beginnings with The Diplomats

Main article: The Diplomats

Before forming The Diplomats, Jones performed in the background as Cam'ron's hype man.[7] He also directed several music videos for The Diplomats.[7]

2004: On My Way to Church

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.[8]

2005: Harlem: Diary of a Summer

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.[9] 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;[10] and "What You Been Drankin' On?" (featuring Diddy, Paul Wall, and Jha Jha), which reached number 106.[11]
"We Fly High"
This song was among the most popular of 2006.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

2006–08:Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) and other projects

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, "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.[12]

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".

2009: Pray IV Reign and The Rooftop

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.[13][14] 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".[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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".[18]

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.[19]

2010-present: Capo, Dipset reunion and Vampire Life series

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.[20] On June 26, 2010 Jones reunited with Cam'ron and Juelz Santana on a track titled "Salute", marking the return of The Diplomats.[21] They have begun working on an album together, and have been reportedly working with Dr. Dre.[22]

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.[4] 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.

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 of Webstar and Jones' upcoming second collaborative effort The Rooftop 2. 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 sonngs, including bonus tracks, freestyles and guest appearances from Meek Mill, J.R. Writer, Chink Santana, 2 Chainz, Maino, Yo Gotti, Jadakiss and Danny!,[26] among others.[27][28]

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.[29][30] On March 11, 2013, Jones announced he was working on two new mixtapes V3 (Vampire Life 3) and The Ghost Of Rich Porter 2.[31] Vampire Life 3 was released on August 13, 2013.[32] 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.[33] In July 2014, Jones revealed he would be releasing another EP, this one titled We Own The Night Pt. 2: Memoirs of a Hustler, it was released on September 9.[34][35]

On January 1, 2015 well known DJ Funkmaster Flex announced via his instagram that he had spoken to fellow Diplomat members Cam'ron, Jim Jones & Juelz Santana about an upcoming Diplomat's mixtape which included fellow member Freekey Zeekey, he also confirmed & stated that he will be hosting the mixtape along with DJ's/Producers DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz & DJ Mustard.[36]

Other ventures

Music video director

Throughout the early years of his music career Jones was known for being the hypeman of his group The Diplomats, but he was also as well shooting most of the music videos to their successful career.[37]

Fashion designing

Through 2007 and 2008, Jim Jones was known for creating the rapper rockstar style which was very popular at the time. So he eventually made his own brand of clothing based off his trend entitled "Nostic".[38]

In late 2011 Jim Jones was thinking of a new clothing line and in early 2012 making it official with his brand entitled "Vampire Life" a clothing brand which is co-owned by Dame Dash,[39] the clothing line is sold throughout New York, but Jones is looking to expand it worldwide.[40]

Acting career

Jim Jones made his acting debut in the film State Property 2. Jim Jones also showed his acting skills on the show Crash: The Series.[41] Jim Jones appeared on Season 5, episode 8 of the critically acclaimed TV drama The Wire on HBO on August 29, 2009. He is seen as one of Marlo Stanfield's henchmen.

Reality television

Jones also appears in seasons 1 and 2 of the VH1 show Love & Hip Hop (which premiered March 14, 2011 and November 11, 2011, respectively); the show loosely follows events in his, and his fiancee, Chrissy Lampkin, personal life. Jones also has a son Joseph Guillermo Jones III, better known as "Pudy", born May 20, 2003.

Jones also stars in season 1 of the VH1 show Chrissy & Mr. Jones the show continues to follow the events of him, and his fiancee, Chrissy Lampkin, personal life.

Sports management

He also has his own freestyle inline skating team, Dipskate, which he plans to take to the X Games in the near future.[42]

Broadway

Along with releasing the album, 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.[43]

Controversies

See also: Hip hop feud

Tru-Life

According to an interview with Tru-Life in the June/July 2006 issue of Complex Magazine, rumors had spread that Tru-Life was referring to Jim Jones in his diss track "New New York". Jim Jones reportedly began calling several rappers and telling them that he had a DVD of Tru-Life disrespecting them. Tru-Life responded by calling Dipset bosses Cam'ron & Jim Jones "bitches."[44]

Jones responded by challenging Tru-Life to a brawl with US$50,000 at stake.[45] Months later, Jones told an interviewer that Tru-Life did not respond to the challenge, does not count in the rap industry, and lacked the money and heart to accept Jones' challenge.[46]

The argument continued into 2007, when Tru-Life released his DJ J-Love hosted mixtape titled Tru York with Dipset disrespect tracks and whose cover superimposes an image of Jim Jones' face over a swimsuit-clad Borat picture.[47]

Jay-Z

Jones' dispute with Tru-Life may have stemmed from a dispute between Cam'ron and Jay-Z, as Tru-Life was signed to Jay-Z's Roc-La-Familia label at the time. Jim Jones has also criticized Jay-Z's performance as president of Def Jam Recordings.[48]

Jay-Z has since responded with a "diss" track called "Brooklyn High" over the beat from Jones' "We Fly High".[49] On December 1, 2006, BET's Access Granted debuted the video for Jones' "We Fly High" remix, with Diddy, Baby, T.I., Young Dro, and added Juelz Santana's verse from his response on the "We Fly High Beef Mix".

On December 21, 2008, Jones had an altercation with Jay-Z associate, Vaughn "Jayvon" Smith, at a Louis Vuitton store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue and turned himself into the police shortly afterward. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to time served – the few hours he was in custody after turning himself in to police in January. Jones' defense attorney, Scott Leemon, stated that Jones didn't start the fight but pleaded guilty because he did not want to risk probation – and potential touring restrictions – if convicted. Jones still faced a civil suit Smith filed after the incident. MTV reports: Smith is the brother of Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith, who works with Ne-Yo and the longtime best friend and colleague of Jones' lyrical nemesis, Jay-Z. In February 2009, Ne-Yo stated on Power 106 radio in Los Angeles that Jones and Smith "have had drama in the past".[50][51]

Jayvon was shopping with Ne-Yo when the altercation occurred, and initial reports indicated that Jones' altercation was with Ne-Yo. However, it was later revealed that Jones did not get into an altercation with Ne-Yo; the false rumor was intended to increase tension.[50][51]

Discography

Filmography

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
2007 The Wire Man standing in front of store Cameo/Extra
2008 Righteous Kill Club Performer 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

Awards

Urban Music Awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Forest Whitaker, 37, tops today's list of celebrity birthdays". Orange County Register. July 15, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ Goias, Matt. "Capo for a Day". Mass Appeal Magazine. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  3. ↑ Kwak, Donnie (2004-08-13). "Jim Jones – Gotham City Hustler + 'Certified Gangsta' Video". Vibe Magazine. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Capo: Jim Jones: Music. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  5. ↑ Kwak, Donnie (August 2004), "Jim Jones: Gotham City Hustler", Vibe 12 (8): 81
  6. ↑ Jones, Jim (December 2006). "Jimmy eat world: Jim Jones across 110th street". The Fader. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kellman, Andy (2008). "Jim Jones > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  8. ↑ "On My Way to Church > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  9. ↑ "Jim Jones > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  10. ↑ "Jim Jones > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  11. ↑ "What You Been Drankin' On". Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles. Billboard. 2005-12-03. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  12. ↑ NFL Players Shooting Jump Shots During Games? Blame Jim Jones.
  13. ↑ Jim Jones preps Beck 2 Back, defsound.com.
  14. ↑ The Good Stuff, Amazon.com.
  15. ↑ Jim Jones Explains his ‘Swagger Like Us’ Response
  16. ↑ [Jim Jones Accepts VP of Urban A&R Job at Koch Records]
  17. ↑ Video: Jim Jones & DJ Webstar on 106 & Park. Nahright.com (2009-06-11). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  18. ↑ Jim Jones collaborates with DJ Webstar to drop “The Rooftop”. Hiphopruckus.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  19. ↑ Kuperstein, Slava. (2009-12-03) Jim Jones Leaves Columbia For E1. Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  20. ↑ Miss Info Exclusive: Cam’ron and Jim Jones rebuild friendship, Jimmy issues public apology. Missinfo.tv (2010-04-19). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  21. ↑ Koroma, Salima. (2010-09-22) 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.
  22. ↑ J-23 (2010-10-04). "Dr. Dre Working with Dipset | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  23. ↑ Jim Jones – CapoLife (Mixtape). 2dopeboyz.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  24. ↑ iTunes – Music – Perfect Day (feat. Chink Santana & Logic) – Single by Jim Jones. Itunes.apple.com (2010-12-07). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  25. ↑ Jim Jones Party Tonight produced by Duane Darock. hotnewhiphop.com
  26. ↑ http://dannyswain.tumblr.com/post/33538595723/megamix-in-celebration-of-this-super-based
  27. ↑ Hillary Crosley (2011-11-01). "Jim Jones releases 'Vampire Life' mixtape". BET. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  28. ↑ "Jim Jones – Vampire Life (Mixtape)". 2DopeBoyz. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  29. ↑ "Jim Jones - Vampire Life 2". DatPiff. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  30. ↑ DJ Ill Will. "Jim Jones - Vampire Life 2". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  31. ↑ HipHopDX (11 March 2013). "Jim Jones Announces "The Ghost Of Rich Porter 2" & "V3" Mixtapes". HipHopDX. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  32. ↑ "Mixtape Not Found". DatPiff. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  33. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Wit the Sh!t (feat. Trey Songz) - Single by Jim Jones". iTunes. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  34. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/07/jim-jones-new-ep-july/
  35. ↑ "Amazon.com: We Own The Night Pt. 2: Memoirs Of A Hustler [Explicit]: Jim Jones: MP3 Downloads". Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  36. ↑ Rose Lilah. "Dipset Reportedly Reuniting For New Mixtape". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  37. ↑ "Jim Jones Directs 2 Chainz and Jadakiss’ ‘One Day At A Time’ Music Video". Vibe. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  38. ↑ http://www.celebrityclothingline.com/celebrity-clothing-line/nostic-clothing-company-by-jim-jones/
  39. ↑ "Stun". Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  40. ↑ BRILLION-A-MILLION. "Brillion-A-Million Entertainment Blog: JIM JONES: VAMPIRE LIFE CLOTHING- NEW SHIRTS". Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "Jim Jones Shows His Acting Skills On, "Crash: The Series" - RealTalkNY Brought To You By Nigel D.". RealTalk NY. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  42. ↑ FEATURE: Jim Jones, Harlem Renaissance. Xxlmag.com (2009-05-29). Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  43. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. (2008-11-14) Jim Jones Sets His Sights On Broadway With 'Hip-Hop Monologues'. Mtv.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  44. ↑ "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 16 July 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  45. ↑ 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
  46. ↑ Jim Jones Interview – "Dip Set Capo Jim Jones Still Gaining Altitude". Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  47. ↑ Tru York Mixtape track listing". J-loveonline.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  48. ↑ Chery, Carl (2005-08-26). "Jim Jones' Greasy Jay-Z Talk". SOHH.com. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  49. ↑ "Jay-Z Disses Jim Jones" Brooklyn High Lyrics. Latinrapper.com. Retrieved on 2012-01-11.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 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.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 pleaded guilty "Billboard.com News: Rapper Jim Jones Pleads Guilty To NYC Assault". Billboard.com. Associated Press. October 7, 2009.

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