In 2006, Jim Jonsin entered into an exclusive deal with Atlantic Records, making him the sole in-house producer for the successful label. Jim Jonsin is also Head A&R for South Beat Records, which is an Independently ran label.
Outside of that, Jim is in the studio working with multi-platinum recording pop stars such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the BackStreet Boys. Rumor has it that he might possibly be working with a certain MC who hails from East Trenton, New Jersey.
With a burning passion to create music that is custom made for the artists that he works with, and a tireless work-ethic that has spanned more than 10 years, Jim Jonsin has being unpredictable down to an art. In this Vibe.com exclusive, you’ll see why.
Vibe.com: How does Jim Jonsin define the word Producer?
right Jim Jonsin: I define the job specifications of a producer as artist development, taking a track from nothing and building a unique idea for it, etc. I don’t just make beats to hand out to the artists. I really like to work with them in the studio. Although I do end up just sending out beats depending on schedules, I prefer to be in the studio, coming up with the concept, all the way down to the mix.
What do you think is the biggest misconception of what a producer is supposed to do?
Jim Jonsin: A lot of people just think that producers are beat-makers. That we just sit at a drum machine with a keyboard, make a beat and get rich off it. It’s not about that at all. It takes a dedicated person to be in the studio at all times of the day, consistently, to baby-sit in the songs creation. Although some records may happen in a flash, there are records that you really got to work. You might have to work 4 or 5 different choruses or guitar lines until you come up with the right melody. People just think that you can go out there and get a Motif (Popular Keyboard) and then they can just bang out beats like a Jim Jonsin. It’s not that easy. Although I don’t want to discourage anyone, so please go out there and get that Motif, because this is a beautiful job to have for the hardest of workers out there.
Name one song that you’ve produced that you were surprised by how successful it became, and then name a song that you’ve produced that you were disappointed in the lack of attention that it received.
Jim Jonsin: I would have to say, “Let’s Go…” by Trick Daddy was a surprise. Although I knew in my gut that it would be a success because I grew up on Rock n’ Roll music, so I knew what that would do for an artist like him. It did a lot better than I thought it would, as far as the urban audience accepting it, and they loved it. It was a great feeling. I thought that Pitbull’s record "Dammit Man" could have done a lot better than it did. It could have used a little more promotion and marketing. Even though the song did great for Pitbull as well as myself, it could have been a lot more than it was.
I have to tell you… I was so nervous about the Jamie Foxx record when we did it. There were some inside guys that I work with that were crazed for it; they just loved it. But I was taking the backseat on the pessimist side saying, “Maybe, maybe not.” I just wasn’t sure how it would be received. "Unpredictable" ended up being a Hot 100, Top 10 smash. It was amazing.
What projects are you currently working on?
Jim Jonsin: Currently, I'm working on the Pretty Ricky project; hopefully I’ll get 4 or 5 songs on that. I’m also working with Tackle Tony from South Beat Records, which is an Independent label that I’m a partner of. We got a new label deal with Atlantic Records which is called Rebel Rock Entertainment. We’re looking to sign a few artists to Rebel Rock.
As far as working with other major artists, I’m working with Britney Spears. I’ve done one song for Britney that they picked for her. I’m working with Mr. Collipark on a few songs. We got the new J-Shin record out; he’s on South Beat. He got a record called, “If I Fall in Love” which is doing pretty well right now.
Is there anything that you’d like to leave our readers on… Jim Jonsin: I want to say, “Thank you so much,” to all of the people out there who listen to the records that I’ve produced and enjoyed them. I’d also like to say thank you to Vibe.com for giving me to opportunity to be featured. And to the up and coming producers, you just got to keep your focus and work diligently.
For producers who want to send music to Jim Jonsin, visit www.SouthBeatRecord.com.
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