Mike Jones:
Who Is Mike Jones?

Release Date: 09 May 2005

Reviewed By: Samantha Watson

1. Intro

2. Back Then

3. Flossin' - ft, Big Moe

4. Still Tippin' - ft, Slim Thug, Paul Wall

5. Got It Sewd Up - remix

6. Scandalous Hoes - ft, Lil Bran

7. Screw Dat

8. Turning Lane

9. Laws Patrolling - ft, CJ, Mellow, Lil' Bran

10. 5 Years From Now - ft, Lil' Bran

11. Cuttin' - remix

12. What Ya Know About - ft, Paul Wall, Killa Kyleon

13. Know What I'm Sayin' - ft, Bun B. Lil Keke

Jon B - Stronger Everyday
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This Houston, Texas rapper has got everyone wondering, ‘Who Is Mike Jones?’ But, everything is revealed on his debut album.

With the explosion of southern rappers like Chingy, Slim Thug, Lil’ Flip, Geto Boys and others, Mike Jones has made an entrance that everyone will remember. On each track you will hear him echo ‘MIKE JONES’, drilling his name into your ears, impossible for you to forget. Included on the album, for some strange reason, is Mike’s real phone number, giving fans the opportunity to call him. And yes, it is his actual number; it may or may not still be available.

Like a lot of new rappers, Mike’s first album describes a lot about his background and how he reached the position he is at today. You will hear about how he hustled drugs, which eventually helped him to build his own record label, Ice Age Entertainment, and on the tracks ‘Back Then’ and ‘Scandalous Hoes’, he raps about the past. For example, some of the women in his neighbourhood did not even look twice at him, but now that he is making a name for himself, the same women are jumping at the chance to talk to him. But he turns it around on the track ‘Type Of N**ga U Need’ when he says: “I know I ain’t ballin’ right now…but if you are still down with me, when I come up I’m a prove it to you that I’m the type of n**ga you need.”

The album is dedicated to his grandma, who died nearly two years ago. She was the main person who encouraged Mike to continue with his music. The last track on the album, ‘Grandma’, is in honour of her memory and for the love and support she gave him.

The production uses heavy southern style beats, some known as the sound of screw music, which suits Mike’s sound and flow. Producers on the album include Silah Williams, Michael “5000” Watts, Sears and others. The release of his first track, ‘Still Tippin’ is one of the best tracks on the album, and uses the original screw music. The track, which is continuing to receive major air play, was produced by Watts and Williams, and features Slim Thug and Paul Wall.

The track ‘5 Years From Now’ features Lil’ Bran and is a reflective track from Mike looking ahead to what possibilities the future holds. On the track, he says: “My advice is please vote, don’t take it as a joke/ cause 5 years from now the world could be gone in smoke…/ we got people in Iraq; tell me why they can’t come home/ if you care about your future, please listen to the song.”

Lyrically the album reaches out to everyone in some way, whether it is street life or the lost of a loved one. ‘Screw Dat’ is one of the favourites on the album in terms of production and lyrics. He puts it this way: “I’m still running the underground even though I got a major deal.” Look out for Bun B, Killa Kyleon, Big Moe, CJ, Mellow, Paul Wall and others who also feature on the album.

This is a welcomed debut from the rapper Mike Jones. It may sound cliché, but with nearly every track echoing his name and with his sharp rhymes it will be hard to forget who he is.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Top 3 Tracks:
4) Still Tippin’ feat. Slim Thug and Paul Wall
7) Screw Dat
10) 5 Years From Now

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