Genres: Rap/Hip HopJoseph Guillermo Jones, better known to music fans as Jim Jones, is an American rapper who was Harlem. He attended Catholic school, and loved to skate, which later inspired his freestyle skateboarding team. He and rapper Camp'ron founded The Diplomats in 2002, more commonly known as Dipset.
Jim Jones
We out here having fun, shout to Yayo, shout to G-Unit, y'all know my name is Jones and we run with Dip Set and the game is built on aggressive competition. If y'all can't see the fun we having, y'all don't know the game.
The Early Years
Joseph Guillermo Jones, better known to music fans as Jim Jones, is an American rapper who was Harlem. He attended Catholic school, and loved to skate, which later inspired his freestyle skateboarding team. He and rapper Camp'ron founded The Diplomats in 2002, more commonly known as Dipset.
His debut album, On My Way to Church, was released in 2004. Two singles were released, Certified Gangstas” and Crunk Muzik. Both appeared on the Billboard R&B/hip hop charts, and both included appearances from Cam'ron and other rappers. Six of the tracks on this album contain samples of other artists' singles. Artists include Janis Joplin, Hall and Oates, and Styx.
Building a Name
Harlem: Diary of a Summer was released in 2005, debuting and peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200, and peaking at #1 on Top Rap, R&B/Hip Hop, and Independent albums. 75,632 copies sold in the first week. One year later, Jim Jones was releasing his third album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment). The single, We Fly High, became his biggest hit. His only released single not to feature guest artists, the track reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap chart.
Jones took a break from his solo career from 2006 to 2008 to release an album with his group, Byrdsong, and two Christmas albums with Dipset. 2009 saw the release of his most recent album, Pray IV Rain. To promote the album, Jones wrote Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life and Mind of Jim Jones, a theatrical rendition of his life story. Director J. Kyle Manzay helped him gather a group of professional actors and assemble the Broadway-type musical. It played for two nights only to sold out audiences. iTunes promoted the album as well with exclusive singles available for download just prior to the album's release.
What's Next
Jim Jones has announced that his next album will be released in the spring. Also in the spring, the First Annual Hip Hop Concert is being planned to take place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; the concert will include performances by Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Maino, and Judakiss.
With one Urban Music Award for Best Collaboration (2009) on his resume, Jones is ready to move forward, continue recording, and continue growing his fan base. His music is in demand on his website and other music sites featuring rap and hip hop music; fans seek to download his music or stream his videos, as they wait for his next mixtape or album.
Did you know . . .
Jim Jones makes a cameo appearance in the television drama, The Wire, and in the movie, Righteous Kill.
In October, 2009, Jones plead guilty to misdemeanor assault, after punching a friend of Ne-Yo's in a Louis Vuitton store.
Jim Jones is also a professional video director, operating under the name, Capo. He has directed videos for Cam'ron, Remy Ma, and State Property.