On a recent night in legendary producer, Tony Dofat’s Music Entrepreneurship class at LIU Brooklyn, students had the opportunity to meet Harlem Hip-Hop legend — Jim Jones. He spoke on his career, the current state of Hip-Hop and entrepreneurship.
Diving into the discussion, Professor Tony Dofat asked about Jim’s take on the current state of Hip-Hop streaming, the internet and the newcomers currently capitalizing like 6ix9ine, Bhad Bhabie and Cardi B. Jones said, “The culture of Hip Hop is the internet, we can’t look at what is was in the 80’s it is what it is today—the internet. If they rap and put a bar to beat, it is a Hip-Hop record no matter who sings the track. And as of now, the money is the streams.” Jones gave credit to all the newcomers capitalizing, highlighting it is all a part of sales and branding.
Personally, I was able to speak with Jones on his ability to escape the crabs in the barrel mentality found in the environments where he originated. He talked about being a leader since the first grade, his vision, and his faith. He was from the hood, but he went to church, he prayed, he was raised with morals. He thanked the couple of teachers that helped him think outside of the box and his situation, he never saw anything cool about going to jail.
I asked if he lifted as he climbed out of his circumstances. He said, “I lifted up a lot of people and I let a lot of people go.” Now, he does not keep anyone around him without a purpose, he spoke to the purpose of the crew he ran with that Thursday night. He takes the “each one, teach one” approach. He hopes he has instilled enough values within his “n**gas,” to do the same thing in his absence.
When asked about the biggest success stories he’s witnessed during the course of his career, he responded, “Besides myself?” Chuckles broke out and when calmed, he said within the last year, “Cardi B.” He stated, “Her success is overwhelming, this girl from the bottom of the Bronx that has probably been through everything that n**gas did and now look at her. She was on Ellen DeGeneres. She’s changed her whole life even those who thought they knew her in their past life, she’s so far up she has no more past life. That is what the game does for you, it changed your view and the life you’re living.”
Following up, I asked Jones about beef within Hip-Hop and if he thinks diss records are killing Hip-Hop as we currently have the media attempting to pit Cardi B and Nicki Minaj against each other. I believe Jones gave the best statement to date, “Why we got to get along? It’s competition, what the fuck I got to like you for? You ain’t been in my refrigerator. We ain’t cool. Now if I happen to build a rapport with you, cool, but for the most part this competition. I don’t want you to win. I want me to win.”
Jones commended Cardi B. for being true to herself, and as she is a current testament to being authentic to yourself we can see Jim Jones shares the same quality. He was the same man we hear in the music, the same man we see on TV, who is true to his struggle, hustle, and brand. Jim Jones, in my opinion, is one of the greatest of our time and I cannot wait to see the remaining legacy he will leave on this earth and on the Hip-Hop industry.
More from the conversation with Jim Jones.
Jim Jones on…
Sales:
It is the number one way to make the most money in the world. If you can sell, you can do anything. You must be able to talk to people to sell, he says we are in the land of the future when people can sell you a life they are not evening living. Jones said he is going to live this life no matter what it takes because it is a lot of money out here to be made.
Reinvention:
You must constantly evolve and reinvent yourself to remain fresh, current and with the times. He spoke to Diddy as an example, “Look at Diddy, he keeps reinventing himself, one year he is Diddy, Puff, now it’s Love.” You must stay in the loop!
Entrepreneurship:
- F#%K a haters opinion or anyone for that matter you cannot care what others think about you.
- Go HARD; If you want it you can have it, but you have to go hard for it.
- Competition is apart of the game, it is okay to not like someone. Make sure they’re watching you and not the other way around!
- When all fails – Hustle! They can’t take hustle away from a hustler.
Be sure to check out Jim Jones’ most recent release, Wasted Talent, which can be found on all major streaming platforms and more! No excuses.
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