Notes & Personnel Info |  | Initial pressings include a bonus "chopped & screwed" CD. | | Personnel: Mike Jones (rap vocals); Paul Wall , Slim Thug, Big Moe, Killa Kyleon, Lil' Bran, CJ Mellow, Bright Eyes, Bun B (rap vocals). | | Audio Mixers: DJ Paul ; Towdown; Juicy J; Michael Foster. | | Recording information: Swishahouse, Houston, TX; The Swishahouse, Houston, TX. | | Photographer: Mike Frost . | | If The Source handed out an award for Most Accessible MC, Swishahouse's self-made Mike Jones would be an easy bet. His greatest asset is self-promotion, which would still be the case if he were an above-average rapper. Jones promotes himself so audaciously that he might as well provide a key to his house with each mixtape he sells. He claims to field so many calls from his hotline -- a hotline he allegedly answers when he's not busy pronouncing, "Mike Jones! Hit me up at 281-330-8004!," to any life form within earshot -- that you must wonder if he's able to spend any time improving his mic skills. His first album with major label distribution (after a series of independent releases and mixtapes), naturally titled Who Is Mike Jones?, doesn't really answer any questions, though it does tell you that he can look real good when surrounded with the right people. He hits paydirt with "Still Tippin'," a magnificent thing so woozy in effect that you could be racing a sports car down a freeway and still feel like you're navigating a Hummer through a lake of curdled cough syrup. Here, producer Salih Williams and featured MCs Slim Thug and Paul Wall outshine Jones to such an extent that, after hearing it, you might be prompted to ask, "Where was Mike Jones?" Still, Jones is ultimately very likable, shown best in the closing track, a sweet tribute to his supportive late grandmother. ~ Andy Kellman | | Mike Jones is one of the most spectacular self-promoters in hip-hop history. In addition to hawking his own records and mixtapes, Jones gave out his home phone number on flyers and in songs (including "Got It Sewed Up," which appears in remix form here), tirelessly answering the flood of calls himself. Jones's indefatigable hustle garnered him a major-label record deal, and his solo debut, WHO IS MIKE JONES?, gives him a chance to back up his boasts. | | Jones's brand of hip-hop is rooted in the rap history of his hometown of Houston, Texas, incorporating echoes of the Geto Boys and Screwed Up Click into his forceful approach. However, he's also informed by styles of both coasts, and possesses a certain old-school attitude that finds his bombast equaled by a fun-loving amiability. He's as apt to tear it up with the relentless, unforgettable single "Still Tippin'" as drop a tender ode to a beloved family member on "Grandma." WHO IS MIKE JONES? proves to be only the beginning of an answer to its own question, but it's an always-enjoyable record that holds promise for future revelations. |
Producer: Salih Williams; Mike B.; Kojack; DJ Paul; Pretty Todd; Young Hollywood; Juicy J; Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson; Salih Williams; Mike B.; Michael "5000" Watts; Kojack |
Musical Guests | | Slim Thug | | Bun B |
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