Jim Jones
Interview by Scott Bejda
From Murder Dog Vol. 12 #4
Tell me about the new Dip Set album?
We got the opportunity to put out the album, and it came out number two on the Billboard independent so it was a beautiful thing. We put together something beautiful!
What about another solo album from you?
My next project comes out August 23rd which is in two weeks from now. It is called Harlem: Diary of the Summer. I’m proud of myself because I stepped the whole thing up, and the flow is awesome. I got the ladies involved a little bit and kept it moving. It is straight rider music because you can start it off at number one and let it ride, and I truly mean that. I also produced about four tracks on the album!
How do you like doing production?
I got a real unique ear for beats, and as far as my flow I know exactly what I need. I know how to put it together!
What about guest features?
P.Diddy, Paul Wall, The whole Dip Set, Tray songs, Denise Weeks!
I like the fact that you work with cats outside of your area! What was it like to work with Paul Wall?
I have been to Houston so I understand the culture. For me to work with him was a pleasure, and the kid can really rap. He is the coolest White boy that I know!
How is the new solo compared to your last solo?
The last album was everything that I have done since I got in the game from day one. It was everything that I did in the streets to hustlin’, but this album is the elevation from having one foot in the streets and one foot in the game. It is life as an executive to being still stuck in the hood. Still affiliated to the drug dealers and the gang bangers and shit like that—just living that fast life!
Do you think keeping it street is why you have a good following?
People notice certain things in the world, and being genuine is something that people notice. If you are a genuine person people will know! I grew up in the hood so I can’t tell you about nothing else. I ain’t trying to go pop but if the pop world is feeling what Harlem is all about then let them play my music.
On the last album how did you come up with the concept for the song “Certified Gangstaz”?
My man Bangin’ Beats from Chicago came to me with this beat. He was like, “I got something for ya.” He brought the Eazy-E joint and we smashed it!
Was Eazy-E a big influence for you?
Eazy-E was a big influence! Just by the way he approached the game, and handled his business. He puts me in a whole different direction as far as when I approached the game.
Have you had the chance to work with his son yet?
Lil ’E was in the video for “Certified Gangsta”. I made sure that he came through when I did the video. I spoke to him before the video on some G shit! I said, “I respect your father, he was one of the hardest muthafuckaz that I came up watchin’ in the game.” This was a straight dedication to everything that he did! Eazy came to the video and had a ball.
What is Cam’Ron like?
As far as music he is a genius! As a person he is fun, and aggressive! That is my brother! It’s all love! I have known him since I was about nine.
How did you come up with the title of your new album?
It was starting to get hot, and I was reflecting on a lot of shit that goes on during the summer with all the money that people try to get, and my niggaz who end up in jail or dead. This is by no means a wintertime album! It’s for everybody. Summertime is the hottest time of the year, and everyone is trying to cool off.
Unless you live at the north pole!
If that is the case then the next time we will have Diary of a Winter for you!
Very few places know winter like New York!
I’m in love with winter, and winter is my first love if you listen to the song.
Do you have any underground releases that you put out?
I just did a mix tape in the streets that is tearing the streets up! I did about 20,000 copies in the last two weeks, and that’s just off the mix tape. We did that in just two weeks off the mixtape!
Do you get out and meet the fans?
I go everywhere, nigga. I ain’t hard to find! I ain’t a prisoner of my fame! I go everywhere all of the time. Where are you from Miami?
I’m originally from Chi-town.
Shit, I be all over the Chi-Town! I had a house over there about four, or five years ago. Chicago is one of the first places we explored outside of New York.
What did you think of Chicago when you first went out there?
It blew my mind! That was why we ended up getting a house out there. The women are beautiful, and I’m talking about every race, and every color.
What are some other hot spots you like to hit?
Miami is like my second home, and St. Louis because I fuck with St. Louis real hard, I fuck with Houston real hard, and the West Coast. Compton, Ohio, we be all over this muthafucka! There ain’t a place you go that I ain’t there!
