 OJ Da Juiceman | Clipse  |
I don’t know about the producers. I just be listening to the beat. They be having to tell me in the streets, 'Yo, I did number five on your album!' I be like, Ohh, that was you?
Jim Jones’ career has been filled with surprises. In the late 1990s, he looked like Cam’Ron’s gofer. But by 2006, he had unleashed “We Fly High”—a top 5 smash that elevated him to star status. Just a year later, Jones’ Dipset crew had fallen apart as a result of a rift between Jones and Cam’Ron. With his forth solo album, Pray IV Reign (Byrd Gang/Columbia), in stores, VIBE found Joseph Jones, 32, at his Midtown Manhattan recording studio smoking blunts, Twittering, and contemplating his next move. One Eyed Willie sat down to chat about his favorite rappers, his impending retirement, and, once again, the possibility of a Dipset reunion.
VIBE: On Twitter the other day, you and Wale were betting on LeBron and Kobe in the finals. You said you’d put 10 stacks on it; but if you lost you’d have to shave your head. Did you take that bet?
Jim Jones: Hell no. He ain’t got enough money for me to shave my head. I told him he could come clean my studio for a day if I win. He was saying he wanted me to sing a Pussycat Dolls hook or some shit. I wish he would have stuck to money. You know I like the money.
Eminem recently told VIBE he liked Jim Jones. “Jim Jones is dope,” he said. What did you think of that?
I actually had somebody reach out to Eminem, waiting for him to hit me back. I liked that comment. Can’t wait to do a song with Em.
Who are your top five rappers?
2Pac, Big. Dipset, like Cam and Juelz. ’Cause it’s us. They can’t take up two slots, we synonymous. I would say Rakim. Ummm…Jay.
Jay-Z?
Yeah.
Why would you say Jay-Z and Cam’Ron?
How come? Cause this is music we talking about. My personal gripes have nothing to do with the music.
At this moment, which five guys would you say?
Jeezy. Gucci Mane. Hold on—’cause I start giving these props out that be big for people. I need to make sure that shit is right. Drake.
Have you heard Cam’s album yet?
Not the old Cam’Ron. The real Cam’Ron. Shit like that, shit that I’m used to. I wasn’t there for the process of this album, so I can’t say. But my top five all-time…definitely Cam. Aiight, put Jada up there.
Who gets the fifth slot?
Who is popping and locking right now? I don’t know right now who’s the number five. (Sings) Who’s the number five, who’s the number five, do the stanky leg. Soulja Boy.
What about producers? Top five producers right now, bringing the heat.
I don’t be on the producers like that. I don’t know who be producing shit. There be so many producers out there, I don’t have time to keep up. I fuck with Shawty Redd. I fuck with Chink Santana. I don’t know about the producers. I just be listening to the beat. They be having to tell me in the streets, “Yo I did number five on your album!” I be like, “Ohh, that was you?”
You’re still working as an A&R, so you’re checking out the upcoming artists. Who right now has impressed you, as far as people we haven’t heard?
Rex is one of them. I fuck with Rex, he from Uptown. Oh, that nigga that be battling from Newark. The kid with the dreadlocks—he be tearing niggas. Can’t remember his name, but I like him. He sticks out. He’s aggressive.
What will your future look like? Do you see yourself focused more on music or the business side?
Wherever the hustle goes. I’m trying to get into movies, other parts of entertainment. The music takes a toll after a while in rap. It’s a high school game. I don’t plan to be nowhere near my 40s and rapping and shit. I’m ’bout to wrap this shit up. I got like 2 more albums and I’m done. I won’t say no more recording but no more albums. Unless it’s a clear stickup and somebody pay me a retarded amount of money. And that’s a stickup, because they still might not get the album after I get the money.
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