With a percussive flow, infectious ad-libs, and a gruff demeanor, Jim Jones reps the Five Boroughs wherever he goes. Delving into his personal life and reflecting on his success, Jim Jones announces Wasted Talent, his upcoming album. Inspired by (and interspersed with quotes from) the 1993 Robert DeNiro intersectional crime drama A Bronx Tale, particularly the quote “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent,” the upcoming album finds Jones reflecting on the life lessons learned during childhood and during his decades in the rap game. Bringing grit, emotion, and a modern spin to the classic sounds of New York, Wasted Talent finds the Harlem rapper reuniting with Diplomats cohorts Cam’ron and Juelz Santana over beats from the likes of The Heatmakerz, chopping it up with NY mainstays like Jadakiss and Trav, meshing styles with Southern stars like Yo Gotti and YFN Lucci, and recruiting West Coasters Mozzy. Eric Bellinger, and Ball Greezy for cross-regional smashes. With production from The Heatmakerz, 808 Mafia, Jahlil Beats, Cool & Dre, Dougie on the Beat, DJ Relly Rell, and additional appearances from Lil Durk, 5AM, and Alexza, Wasted Talent arrives on April 13th.
Born and raised in Harlem, Jim Jones came to the rap forefront as a member of the Diplomats, the legendary rap crew headed by Cam’ron. As the most colorful personality in a very colorful crew, Jones quickly became a beloved cult figure, lending a raucous outro to the smash hit “I Really Mean It” and providing the hook to rap radio classic “Crunk Muzik.” In 2006, Jones broke out with “We Fly High,” a massive platinum hit that reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Hot Rap Chart, and became the official anthem for the Super Bowl winning 2007 New York Giants. The Capo followed up the success of that Super Bowl hit with “Pop Champagne,” which reached the top 25 of the Hot 100, reached #3 on Rap and R&B radio and earned a Gold certification from the RIAA. Jim Jones parlayed his rap success into mogul status, founding the popular Vampire Life clothing brand in 2011, following it up with the VampBerry energy drink, and starring in several VH1 and BET shows like Love & Hip-Hop, Irv Gotti’s Tales, Chrissy & Mr. Jones, and Vow or Never. He currently stars in WeTV’s Marriage Bootcamp Family Edition.
