In 2004, he released his solo debut 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 Entertainment One 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, "We Fly High". The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 2006, Jones also formed the hip hop group and label ByrdGang. 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". In April 2011, Jones released his fifth album, Capo, which was supported by the lead single, "Perfect Day". He returned on 31 May 2019, for his sixth studio album titled El Capo,[4] which featured the likes of Dave East, Rick Ross, among others. Early life
Jim Jones was born in The Bronx borough of New York City and was raised in Harlem. His mother, Nancy Jones, is Aruban while his late father, Joseph Guillermo Jones was Puerto Rican. Jim Jones 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 skipping 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 fellow 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
2004–05: On My Way to Church and Harlem: Diary of a Summer
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"
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2006–09: Hustler's P.O.M.E., Pray IV Reign and The Rooftop
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
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 well known 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
ByrdGang
ByrdGang
Genres Hip Hop, Rap
Years active 2006–2010
Labels ByrdGang, Asylum, M.O.B.
Past members Jim Jones
Max B
NOE
Hell Rell
Chink Santana
Freekey Zeekey
Stack Bundles (deceased)
Mel Matrix
Sen City
Trav
Shoota
HardLuck
Jones formed Byrdgang in 2006, composed of select members of Purple City Productions and Diplomat Records. The group released their debut album, M.O.B.: The Album on Asylum Records.[36]
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 shooting most of the music videos during their successful early career.[37]
Fashion designing
Through 2007 and 2008, Jones was known for creating the rapper rockstar style which was very popular at the time. He eventually created his own "Nostic" clothing label.[38]
In late 2011 Jones was thinking of a new clothing line, and in early 2012 made it official with his brand "Vampire Life", co-owned by Dame Dash.[39] The clothing line is sold throughout New York City, and Jones is looking to expand it worldwide.[40]
Acting career
Jones made his acting debut in the film State Property 2.He also appeared on the show Crash: The Series.[41] Jones played one of Marlo Stanfield's henchmen on Season 5, episode 8 of the critically acclaimed TV drama The Wire on HBO on February 24, 2008. 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.[42]
Reality television
Jones also appears in seasons 1 and 2 of the VH1 show Love & Hip Hop: New York (which premiered March 14, 2011 and November 11, 2011, respectively); the show loosely follows events in his personal life and that of his fiancée, Chrissy Lampkin. Jones also stars in season 1 of the VH1 show Chrissy & Mr. Jones; the show follows him and Lampkin, focusing on their personal lives.
Sports management
Jones has his own freestyle inline skating team, Dipskate, which he plans to take to the X Games in the near future.[43]
In December 2017, he became part owner of the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League.[44]
Controversies
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 and Jim Jones "bitches."[45]
Jones responded by challenging Tru-Life to a brawl with US$50,000 at stake.[46] 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.[47]
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.[48]
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.[49]
Jay Z has since responded with a "diss" track called "Brooklyn High" over the beat from Jones' "We Fly High".[50] 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's ex-associate, Vaughn "Jayvon" Smith, at a Louis Vuitton store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue and turned himself in to 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".[51][52]
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.[51][52]
In 2017, the two rappers ended their rivalry and Jim Jones signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation.
Cam'ron
During this time, Cam'ron and Jones were not speaking to each other, leading to speculation that the group had broken up. However, despite admitting that he did not want to contact Jones, Cam'ron said that he had no hard feelings towards him. In an interview with Miss Info, Cam'ron said: "I still haven't spoken to Jim. But Jim ran with me for over 10 years, he worked hard, and I wish him the best of luck. Everybody thinks I'm mad at Jim. Why am I mad? I told people for years that Jimmy was gonna be a star. So it's better on my resume. I wish him the best."[53] But after three years of not speaking, Cam'ron and Jim Jones mended their differences in April 2010. In late 2011, both appeared together on Wolfgang Gartner's album Weekend in America, on the track "Circus Freaks".
ASAP Mob
In early 2014, Jim Jones criticized ASAP Mob for copying his fashionable style. In an interview with HNHH.com, he explained: "They weren’t from the street, they’re a good group of kids and they’re artistic, but they’re not from the street and their style is way different than what we do. It’s a little bit far out there for me. We got bonafide swag and the definition of get fly, ya dig? I’m not trying to disrespect them—A$AP Mob is doing it, they got their numbers and they’re doing what they like to do—but they’re nothing like the Diplomats. They didn’t come up hanging and banging and hustling and really touching the pavement, ya dig? It’s a big difference. We don’t wear kilts and we don’t wear tight sweatpants and funny sneakers. That’s not our style. Price point and high fashion don’t really make it cool. I’ll still go in Wal-Mart and come out and niggas will still think it’s Versace."[54] Angered by his comments, Juicy J provided additional vocals on ASAP Mob member ASAP Rocky's solo single, "Multiply", which in the end, took a subliminal shot at Jones. It says: "Fake ass niggas, you know what I'm sayin'? These niggas be out here, talkin' 'bout they [Jim Jones, Jadakiss and Styles P] them streets niggas and shit, but man... Niggas be gettin' extorted like a ma' fucker out here. You know what I'm sayin'?[55]
Previously, Jones and Rocky linked together for the track, "Freeze", which appeared on the ASAP Mob mixtape, 2012's Lords Never Worry.[56] Since then, the dispute between the ASAP Mob and Jim Jones seemed to have cooled down after a photo was posted on The Game's Instagram account showing the overall three rappers partying in a nightclub.[57]
Azealia Banks
In July 2012, a social media-related conflict between Jim Jones and rapper Azealia Banks had started after Banks dissed 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".[58] Enraged, Banks dissed Jim Jones again via a track titled "Succubi".
God Bless The Child
Jim Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
I've been left here one
I … used to hunt for my food like wolves hunt sheeps
From the whole to the project learned to slap box cause i couldn't take the disrespect
Monalisa for a date on friday, she hears i was .. and she said go away, go away
But god blessed the child, i could have been a juvenile
Yeap, but that's my cousin crack,
And that's me with the black and white … wraps
And the words became rare, and i gotta …
And i went from last to first, i bought 80 on the …
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
Would god bless cause the streets is hard
Pray for, living in the world we only see the sours
Smoking mirrors, the … statue won't …
So who make it out or who sees the bars, the slum
Only a few make it out to see the cars
A whole recruit make it out don't see the bars
Then wyclef is on tour with the fugees
I was … boys in the hood you can't force the movies
Thought i was hard shit when bought the coop
I was down in the tunnel when i water goof
I was the ice broke … on the sweater
… this loving bitch wait before manner
Just spending all my chips on the softest leathers
I told my niggers meet them at the crossroads
… i'ma see our best sports go
More money …more phones
Shit i ain't scared of you mofos
You funny niggers like … i do something till you say nigger turn around
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
It's much deeper than a rap song
Think it's sweet until this beef is getting clapped on
I've seen sweet dreams turn in nightmares, freddie cooper
I watch street dreams turn in life years
You can hear the last screams when they cry tears
Now i take my whole team and we fly less
If it's new york then we're up town
California sport … touchdown
I'm getting money with the call of fame
It was right before … call my name
Backing out the telly wheels in reverse
She had the telly slip his own heels in the purse
I put it in the cab and deal it with a …
It's the least that caught a mill…
This shit they follow me like i'm …
They must have got fat ...like…
Forget it erase your profile my block appearance
And i always ran the streets i had absent parents
And every night we pray to the sky
In the hood where is 9 million waste of …
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own
God bless the child that can hold his own.
In Jim Jones's song God Bless The Child, the lyrics primarily speak about the blessings of having the strength and willpower to survive in the harsh realities of life. The song opens and closes with the line "God bless the child that can hold his own," emphasizing the need for self-reliance and determination. Through the verses, the lyrics describe the struggles of growing up in poverty, facing discrimination, and the dangers of street life. The second verse adds an element of hope, as Jim Jones describes his rise from a "slum" to fame and fortune. He also emphasizes the need for prayer and faith in hard times, acknowledging that not everyone is capable of holding their own.
Interestingly, the song features a verse from Wyclef Jean, another popular rapper of the same era. Wyclef's verse is more focused on his success story, including touring with his group The Fugees and buying a sports car. However, he also acknowledges the struggles of growing up in the "slum" and highlights the importance of perseverance.
Overall, the song's interpretation is a reflection of the harsh realities of life and the need for strength and resilience to survive. The lyrics also provide a glimpse into the struggles of growing up in poverty and the dangers of street life.
Line by Line Meaning
God bless the child that can hold his own
May God bless those who are self-sufficient and can take care of themselves
I've been left here one
I was raised alone
In the … slum
In a poor and rundown neighborhood
I … used to hunt for my food like wolves hunt sheeps
I had to find my own food in a survival-like manner
From the whole to the project learned to slap box cause i couldn't take the disrespect
I went from a better environment to a worse one and had to physically fight to earn respect
Monalisa for a date on friday, she hears i was .. and she said go away, go away
I was rejected for a date by someone due to my circumstances
But god blessed the child, i could have been a juvenile
Despite my difficult circumstances, I was able to stay out of trouble with the law
Yeap, but that's my cousin crack,
I have family members who have struggled with addiction
And that's me with the black and white … wraps
I used to wear cheap clothing
And the words became rare, and i gotta …
I struggled with communicating due to lack of education and opportunity
And i went from last to first, i bought 80 on the …
I was able to overcome my circumstances and become successful
Would god bless cause the streets is hard
Is it possible for God to bless people living in tough neighborhoods?
Pray for, living in the world we only see the sours
We only see the negative aspects of the world
Smoking mirrors, the … statue won't …
We are being deceived by illusions and the truth is not clear
So who make it out or who sees the bars, the slum
Who is able to escape poverty and who is trapped by it
Only a few make it out to see the cars
Few people are able to escape poverty and attain financial success
A whole recruit make it out don't see the bars
Those who do succeed often forget their roots and the struggles they overcame
Then wyclef is on tour with the fugees
The singer is referencing Wyclef Jean's success as a musician
I was … boys in the hood you can't force the movies
I was living a real-life version of the movie 'Boyz n the Hood'
Thought i was hard shit when bought the coop
When I bought a nice car, I thought I was invincible
I was down in the tunnel when i water goof
I was in a dangerous situation when I was overconfident
I was the ice broke … on the sweater
I used to have inadequate clothing for cold weather
… this loving bitch wait before manner
I used to pursue women who were not interested because of my low social status
Just spending all my chips on the softest leathers
I spent all my money on luxury items to compensate for my past poverty
I told my niggers meet them at the crossroads
I made plans with my friends to meet up and potentially make a decision about our future paths
… i'ma see our best sports go
I am determined to see my friends succeed in their chosen fields
More money …more phones
As I become more successful, I accumulate more possessions and wealth
Shit i ain't scared of you mofos
I am confident and fearless despite facing difficult circumstances
You funny niggers like … i do something till you say nigger turn around
People underestimate me and are surprised by my success
It's much deeper than a rap song
The struggles and experiences being discussed are more profound than the simple lyrics of a song
Think it's sweet until this beef is getting clapped on
People think life is easy until they are met with violence and challenges
I've seen sweet dreams turn in nightmares, freddie cooper
I have witnessed people's hopes and aspirations turn into tragedies
I watch street dreams turn in life years
I have witnessed people's hopes and aspirations turn into lifelong struggles
You can hear the last screams when they cry tears
People's struggles and pain are not always apparent on the surface
Now i take my whole team and we fly less
I am able to provide for and include my friends in my success
If it's new york then we're up town
If we are in New York, we are in the nicer part of town
California sport … touchdown
I have success and luxury in California
I'm getting money with the call of fame
I am becoming wealthy and famous
It was right before … call my name
This success came to me unexpectedly
Backing out the telly wheels in reverse
I left a glamorous situation in a hurry
She had the telly slip his own heels in the purse
A woman I was with stole from me
I put it in the cab and deal it with a …
I tried to make the best of a bad situation by making a profit
It's the least that caught a mill…
Even the smallest effort can lead to great success
This shit they follow me like i'm …
People are constantly observing and judging me
They must have got fat ...like…
People who used to underestimate me have now become jealous
Forget it erase your profile my block appearance
I am trying to leave my past behind me and start anew
And i always ran the streets i had absent parents
I was left to fend for myself due to my parents' absence
And every night we pray to the sky
We pray for a better life and for guidance
In the hood where is 9 million waste of …
There are many people in poverty and without hope in my neighborhood
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.