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Mike Jones (rapper)

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Mike Jones
Jones in 2005
Jones in 2005
Background information
Birth nameMichael Allen Jones
Born (1981-11-18) November 18, 1981 (age 42)[1]
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2001–present
Labels

Michael Allen Jones (born November 18, 1981)[2][3] is an American rapper. Born and raised in Houston, he signed with the local record label Swishahouse in the early 2000s, and rose to mainstream recognition with his 2004 single, "Still Tippin'" (featuring Slim Thug and Paul Wall). The song moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100 and was followed by his 2005 single "Back Then", which peaked at number 22 on the chart. Both songs received platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded the release of his debut studio album, Who Is Mike Jones? (2005), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. That same year, Jones guest appeared on T-Pain's 2005 single "I'm 'n Luv (wit a Stripper)", which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.

His second album, The Voice (2009), was further commercially-oriented. Despite a critical decline, two of its singles, "Next to You" and "Cuddy Buddy" (featuring Trey Songz, Lil Wayne and Twista), entered the Billboard Hot 100. Jones initially became recognized for his catchphrase "Who, Mike Jones?" (or, "who is Mike Jones?"), which he would usually repeat several times on songs. He also became known for handing out shirts with his cell phone number printed on the back. The two went on to be trademarks of Jones throughout his career.

Early life

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Mike Jones originally wanted to be an NBA player who rapped on the side. He transferred from school to school many times, forcing him to only play in YMCA leagues due to transfer rules after the ninth grade. Jones dropped out of high school and briefly took jobs at fast food restaurants. He worked at a Compaq plant and sold cell phones from an apartment on Antoine Drive. T. Brown, Jones's partner in several financial ventures, said that he sold some "dime bags" for six months, but the two mainly bought "T-Mobile Sidekicks" and sold them for an inexpensive price.[2]

Jones often visited his grandmother's house in the Studewood area of Houston. He credits her with giving him the ideas to pursue rap, to use his real name, and to write songs for strippers.[2]

Career

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Early career

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Jones began his musical career in a group called Souf Folk, using the alias Sache. He released one album with Souf Folk called Country Thuggin. In 2001, Jones formed his own independent record label, Ice Age Entertainment, and began solo rapping. He independently promoted and distributed his music on the streets and pressed it on DJs at strip clubs.

Jones eventually signed with then-upcoming Southern hip hop label Swishahouse, after meeting with its then-A&R T. Farris. At that time, Swishahouse was signing fellow Texas-based rappers Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. Farris recalled signing Jones, saying, "I heard him on one of my partner’s mixtapes and I wanted to meet him and try to get him to rap on our mixtapes. We linked up, signed him."[4] DJ Casual from Meridian, Mississippi was the first person to play Jones on the radio. He loved what Jones was doing and passed it on to several fellow DJs.[4]

2004–2007: Who Is Mike Jones? and The American Dream EP

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In 2004 after the release of his breakout single "Still Tippin'", which was receiving much radio play, Jones signed a major deal to Jive Records and Warner Bros. He quickly released his second single, "Back Then", which eventually went Platinum, making it Jones's first Platinum single. On April 19, 2005, Jones released his debut album, Who Is Mike Jones? After two months the album also achieved Platinum status. It is Jones's highest selling album to date.

After leaving Jive Records Jones signed to a distribution deal with Asylum Records for his label Ice Age. In September 2006 Jones released the single titled "Mr. Jones". It debuted at #92 on the Billboard Charts. The song gained further recognition when fellow rapper Lil Wayne freestyled on his version "Sky Is The Limit" for his "Da Drought 3" mixtape. On January 31, 2007, Jones announced an upcoming EP and a movie, both titled The American Dream.[5] On April 21, 2007, Jones released the second single from the EP, titled "My 64", featuring Bun B and Snoop Dogg. The single debuted at #1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. On November 20, 2007, Jones released The American Dream it debuted on the Billboard charts at #183.

2008–2009: The Voice

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On November 27, 2007, Jones released the debut single "Drop & Gimme 50" for his second solo album, titled The Voice. "Drop & Gimme 50" featured Hurricane Chris. On May 19, 2008, Jones released the album's second single, called "Cuddy Buddy". The single did well on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at #78. On December 2, 2009, the third single from The Voice was released. Titled "Next To You", it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #63. On April 28, 2009 The Voice was released, debuting on the Billboard 200 at #12 and selling 25,000 copies its first week.

2012–2020: Hiatus, unreleased Where Is Mike Jones? album, unreleased WHO!Print album and mixtapes

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During 2010 and 2011, Jones went on a hiatus. On August 20, 2012, he announced his return, explaining the reason for his hiatus was due to financial disputes with his former label, Asylum Records and that money had been taken from him.[6][7] He announced he was finished with his next album, Where Is Mike Jones? and that he was working on its follow-up, titled WHO!Print, with further plans to release a mixtape called Ballin Underground 2.

On October 31, 2013, Jones would release a mixtape titled Back Ballin' Underground.[8][9]

On August 28, 2014, during an interview Jones would talk about his upcoming album Where is Mike Jones?, his upcoming mixtape Money Train and would announce he had signed a new distribution deal with Atlantic Records stating "It's just a group of people who are all about making money and having money. Once people really understand what the Money Train is, then they'll be onboard with it."[10] On December 28, 2014, Jones released a new single titled "3 Grams" featuring appearances from Slim Thug and Yung Duece.[11]

On January 1, 2015, Jones released a mixtape titled Money Train.[12][13] On February 5, 2015, Jones announced via his Instagram he was working on another mixtape entitled Money Train: Reloaded which will be a sequel to his mixtape Money Train.[14]

2021–present: Unreleased Guap Season album

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In September 2021, Jones announced a new record deal with RBC Records to release his third studio album Guap Season in May 2022. As of 2024, the album remains unreleased.

Feuds

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On February 10, 2007, YouTube user FDTV Video Podcast uploaded a parody video of Chamillionaire shooting Jones. It ridiculed Jones and was the subject of some small further controversy.[15] However, in late 2008, the beef between the pair had died down. Chamillionaire apologized to Jones in 2010, marking an official end to their dispute. He said, live on stage, "From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to Mike Jones for the triple disc Mixtape Messiah 1 diss tracks. I mean no disrespect."[16]

Discography

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Main article: Mike Jones discography

Studio albums

Filmography

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FILM
2023 H-Town Self Tv-MA (Streaming on Peacock)
2007 The American Dream Himself Autobiographical film
2007 Furnace Detective James Fury
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Punk'd Himself
Prison Break Darius Morgan
2006 Wild 'n Out Himself Team Captain & Performer
The Andy Milonakis Show Guest star
2007 The Game

References

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  1. ^ JONES, WHO? MIKE. "Can Someone tell @google that my Birthday is not January 6 but November 18th! I'm a Scorpio not a Capricorn! been Having 2 bdays Last 7yrs".
  2. ^ a b c Giglio, Mike. "Mike Jones! Who?" Houston Press. July 21, 2009. 2. Retrieved on August 4, 2009.
  3. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Mike Jones > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Interview With T Farris". HitQuarters. December 5, 2005. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  5. ^ Watkins, Greg (January 31, 2007). "Mike Jones: The American Dream". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  6. ^ "Exclusive interview with Mike Jones 2012". YouTube. August 20, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2014.[dead YouTube link]
  7. ^ "Video: Mike Jones Clears Up Rumors & Updates On Where He's Been With Sway In The Morning". Worldstarhiphop.com. February 28, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mike Jones – Back Ballin' Underground Hosted by DJ Black, DJ Choice & DJ 24 Mixtape – Stream & Download". Datpiff.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Mike Jones – Back Ballin' Underground – DJ Black, DJ Choice, DJ 24". Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Mike Jones Talks Paul Wall 'Misunderstanding,' Weight Loss & New Album [Exclusive Interview]". Theboombox.com. August 28, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "3 Grams (feat. Slim Thug & Yung Duece) – Single by Mike Jones on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Mike Jones – Money Train | Download & Listen [New Mixtape]". Hotnewhiphop.com. January 1, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Mike Jones – Money Train – DJ Ben Frank, DJ Junior". Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  14. ^ [1] Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Mike Jones Gets Shot by Chamillionaire". YouTube. February 10, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  16. ^ "Chamillionaire apologizes to Mike Jones". YouTube.com. March 26, 2010. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
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