Independent artists are often seen as at a disadvantage because of the lack of financial logistical support that major industry labels can give. Ask Mike Jones, however, and he would beg to differ. He had most of his most significant successes before he even had any contract from a major music label. He's made an indelible mark in independent music, and it looks like the rapper and producer has the mainstream market in his sights.

Mike Jones Who?

"If you don't work, you don't eat, you don't grind, you don't shine."

Independent artists are often seen as at a disadvantage because of the lack of financial logistical support that major industry labels can give. Ask Mike Jones, however, and he would beg to differ. He had most of his most significant successes before he even had any contract from a major music label. He's made an indelible mark in independent music, and it looks like the rapper and producer has the mainstream market in his sights.

Mike Jones is the Name

Born Michael Ansara Jones in Houston, Texas on January 6, 1981, rap wasn't his original game plan. He had initially intended on a career as a professional basketball player with the National Basketball Association. Multiple school transfers, however, ruled out that dream because of YMCA league restrictions on transferees.

Deciding that formal education wasn't for him, Jones left high school and took various odd jobs in the area. After leaving formal employment behind, he hustled - sold mobile phones and miscellaneous gadgets - to make himself some cash. He soon had enough money laid away to start his own record label, and the indie Ice Age Entertainment was launched in 2001. That was also the same year that he released Country Thuggin with Southern hip-hop group Souf Folk. Jones was an artist - and officially his own boss.

Lack of name recognition meant that Jones had to promote his label the old-fashioned way: beating the pavement. He went around to clubs and individual DJ's himself, and word soon spread about a rapper-cum-entrepreneur on the street. Michael Watts, owner of the Houston-based indie Swishahouse label. By 2002, Mike Jones was signed to the Swishahouse roster, and Swishahouse was distributing for Ice Age Entertainment.

Mike Jones' Game

Swishahouse has so far released two mixtapes by Jones - Ballin' Underground from 2002 and Runnin' Tha Game from 2003 - in addition to several collaborations featuring him. He was able to release the mixtape King of the Streets in 2004 before Warner Brothers Records approached him with a contract. He was officially signed in 2005.

Who is Mike Jones? was Jones' major label debut with WB, and was released in April that year. The album went platinum and was followed by The Voice in April 2009. In between projects for WB, Jones worked on other albums and compilations for Swishahouse as well as his own label. As of the release of The Voice, Jones has two major label albums, five mixtapes, a collaboration album and an EP to his name.

Did You Know That...

• ...grandma helped a lot? It was Jones' grandmother who led him to use his own name as his stage name, as well as inspired him to write several of his songs.
• ...personal experience was an inspiration? The title of his solo debut came from a question he often heard from producers unfamiliar with the name Mike Jones.
• ...his career goes beyond music? He has acting credits in four U.S. TV programs as well as his own biopic, a limited edition shoe with Reebok and a personal clothing line.

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