Mike Jones
Who Is Mike Jones? (Swishahouse/Asylum/Warner Bros.)
Pointing out his “Grandma” as the mastermind behind his marketing genius, Mike Jones throws up his name and phone number like an infomercial. Go ahead and call it repetitious, simple, or even way-past-trendy. Nonetheless, requests for the “Still Tippin'” ringtone continue in droves. As Houston’s Swishahouse builds momentum for the major label release by Slim Thug and Paul Wall, Mike Jones carves out his crew’s niche with princess-cut diamonds engraving the candy paint of a succinct rap flow. Riding carnival wheels of production provided by Austin’s Salih Williams, the effects-laden rapper swerves through “Back Then” and remixes of “Got It Sewed Up” and “Cuttin'” as if fueled by “purple drank.” Chopping his own verses as a syrup-sippin’ party DJ, Jones eases fragmented gems between the call-and-response grills of “Screw Dat” and “Turning Lane.” Boosted by the crooning of Big Moe on “Flossin” and the classic rhyme patterns of Bun B and Lil Keke on “Know What I’m Saying,” Who Is Mike Jones? stands Cadillac tall among a virtual car show of busted lowriders and trick-addled Scions. Sporting a promise of “90% Grindin, 10% Sleep,” Mike Jones is “pimpin’ hard in the parking lot” and merely a dial of 281/330-8004 away.
This article appears in May 13 • 2005.