Exclusive Preview: “This Is Jim Jones”
This Is Jim Jones official trailer
“What n*ggas can’t do is what I do with my eyes closed” – Jim Jones
Rap fans – if you think you know Joseph Guillermo “Jim” Jones, think again.
In his new, full-length documentary, This Is Jim Jones (directed by Carly Carol), the 33-year-old Harlemite gives fans a rare glimpse into his life of glaring extremes; an existence punctuated by its star’s perennial underdog status.
The chronological order of the scenes is often muddled, but there are ten basic chapters:
Chapter 1 sheds light on Jim’s journey from boy to man. It includes childhood pics, memories from his mother Nancy (addicted to crack cocaine when Jim was young), tales of growing up with Dame Dash in East Harlem, his estranged father’s untimely death from HIV/AIDS, his legendary temper, and becoming affiliated with the Bloods as a teen.
As Dame earnestly tells us he “didn’t expect Jimmy to be the guy I passed the torch to”, we see Jim beginning to build serious relationships within the music industry. We’re then given a glimpse into his business acumen with mention of his ventures at KOCH, Asylum Records and Sony BMG; a closer look however at how he actually worked on and sealed these deals would have been appreciated.
Chapter 2 begins to shed light on Jim’s relationship with Cam’ron. When Jim says “his success was my success”, he means it. It also shows that while Cam was Dipset’s frontman for the most part, Jim was creeping on a come up in many ways, including pioneering the rock-inspired, skull and crossbones-infused fashion look. Jim and fellow Dipset member Juelz Santana discuss their new “splash” movement; when an interviewer asks Jim if he’s running out of it, he replies in genuine shock: “Am I running out of splash? How is that possible? I’m the wishing well!”
Chapter 3 delves into The Diplomats movement, exploring the relationship between Jim, Cam, Juelz and Freaky Zeakey. It focuses primarily on Cam’s original label deal with Sony and eventual move to Rocafella via his relationsip with Dame.
Chapter 4 breaks down Dipset’s tenuous relationship with Rocafella’s kingpin, Jay-Z.
In the film’s climactic moment, the story (from Jim’s point of view) behind Cam’s megahit “Oh Boy” is told. The “Oh Boy” beat (by Just Blaze) was allegedly intended for Jay-Z, and the “H to the Izzo” beat (by Kanye West) was originally promised to Cam’ron. According to the film, Kanye backtracked and gave his beat to Jay. Cam’ron then took the “Oh Boy” beat and murdered it (with Juelz), so Jay decided to jump on it with a feature. Cam heard Jay’s verse, deemed it wack, and made sure it didn’t see the light of day. According to Dame Dash, Jay then made moves to separate himself from his Harlem label affiliates (in addition to allegedly not letting them put their records out and not signing off on their budgets).
Chapter 5 is brief, another glimpse into “Jimmy’s World” – a look at Harlem, Jim recording the album and more.
Chapter 6 is all about “Ballin’”, Jim’s breakthrough single. Angie Martinez talks about the song’s massive success: “At the radio station [Hot 97] we die for records like that.” In this chapter Jim also takes his initial meeting with legendary producer Rick Rubin (held in Rubin’s truck) in Los Angeles.
Chapter 7 is true-to-form Jimmy against his rap foes. It’s called “Byrd Food” because “we start pecking on you n*ggas”, he says. “Byrd ass n*ggas! Jay is a byrd. You’re too old to be doing what you’re doing and you dress terribly” he finishes with a chuckle.
Jim’s “We Fly High” saga with Jay is touched on, with Angie Martinez offering her final thought: “The person on bottom, the underdog, is always going to somewhat benefit from [beef].” Jim’s altercation at Hot 97′s Summer Jam 2008 is also mentioned, as is the death of close friend/rapper Stack Bundles.
Chapter 8 shows Jim and Dame with their adorable sons shopping at Niketown (dropping $3000 in one hit) with Dame telling cameras “This is the reason we fought so hard”. There’s also a scene where Jim is previewing tracks from his upcoming album to VIBE magazine’s Editor-In Chief, Danyel Smith.
Chapter 9, titled “Frenemies”, reverts back to Dipset drama, including Freaky Zeekey’s release from prison, Jim’s unexpected, brief alliance with 50 Cent (“The moves I make are the moves I make, whether n*ggas like it or not”), Dame’s thoughts on Jim and Cam’s ongoing estrangement and Jim’s final thoughts on the situation: “I always told Cam there’d be a separation; deep down inside, I’m just waiting for the get-back”.
Chapter 10 features Dr. Ben Chavis, who preaches that “trials and tribulations are for purification”. Jim speaks on his relationship with his late father and his work to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS.
Jim’s closing thought? “I know what I’m hustling for. I’m hustling to get the fuck up out this game.”
This Is Jim Jones drives home the point that regardless of your thoughts on Jim’s talents as a rapper or even as a businessman, his sheer determination and proven success to date cannot be denied.
Jim Jones’ new album, Pray IV Reign, is out March 24 through Columbia Records.
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[...] a few hours ago, Jim Jones held a screening for his new documentary in New York. Click here for a full breakdown of each chapter in the film and watch the official trailer after the [...]
This Is Jim Jones was the best track off of the ‘On my way to Church’ debut album by Jim
[...] Exclusive Preview: “This Is Jim Jones” via DrJays [...]
[...] read the rest of review, click here. Kudos to the Boss Lady for the in-depth review. Jim’s fourth LP, Pray IV Reign, hits stores [...]
yeah people were talking about this **** and how good it was. my question is when is the last time you/ jim jones watched streets is watching?
DJNumbers:
Streets Is Watching is completely different to This Is Jim Jones; I enjoyed both. You should also check Serius Jones’ Life Is Serius when you get a chance.
~Boss Lady
Why don’t you point out that all Jimmy had was one hit? Why don’t you point out that his sheer existence is a travesty to HipHop? He never had success nor anything else aside from one song that happened years ago. He is not loyal, he uses too many drugs that obviously mess up his head and it just not likeable. He is in fact very unsumpathetic. This documentary – what is the point? The white-washed fairy-tales of a one hot wonder who thinks he actually has some kind of significance? Wait and see, his album will drop soon. His buzz is low, this will be a flop. Well deserved. “Na na na”…negro please.
I think jim jones is a clown, he got pushed around by Max b. Its all over youtube and world star hiphop.
Jim Jones is wack…….
judas jones
he is wack.a dipset sell out, linkin with 50 when cam had beef 50…jones and juelz r sell outs. their shiit is weak too. holla
give me a break niggga, calling yrself a trend setter??? not to me…
2 cornballs in 1 documentary and Hov is still richer that all of them….PLEASE!!!
Hey Boss Lady whats good?
Just stopping by to show you some love and to let you know how proud everyone over here is of you.
Keep doing your thing ma’
Much love and Success
S.Bravo
Aww Stan! Thank you!
You moved from Harlem > West Sydney and I moved from West Sydney > Harlem – crazy huh?
Always representing Down Under
~Boss Lady
Jimmy is man who has ups and downs like all of us we dont have ours documented on film w all go thru the same thing maybe a little different but if we all had our lives taped we would be real interesting see what we do in our day to day lifes perhaps a documentary on Boss Lady would be cool you have an real interesting job it would be cool to go behind the scenes to see how you come up with ideas get your opinions on artists you interview that would be cool!!!
SO WHEN IS THE FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING OUT?
AND WHERE CAN WE GET IT? WATCH IT?
fashionhustlers.com
Jim Jones?!?! Bawahahaha, I feel bad even commenting on this dude… What a waste of breath! This guy along with his dipset comrades have been exposed more than Rick False, “ON VIDEO” lol! He’s a one hit wonder, acts tough around ppl he know won’t do anything, and get chased around parks in his own hood. Nobody’s checking for Jim but dudes who like to wear nutt huggers…
first off you people cant judge jimmy cuz u dont know what he went thru so yall need to kill yourselves. second of all if you havent noticed, jimmy and juelz were the first to rock ed hardy and other rockstar styles juelz was doin it back in 2005 when nobody knew what that style was jim and juelz and anyone in the dips have been trendsetters . cam said on purple haze ” im the reason your diamonds are square” besides idk where guys get the idea that skinny jeans aka nut huggers are for gay people. they are for people that want a loose cut jean but dont want there jeans sagging off their azz so fashion wise or anything else nobody can say shyt bout capo i aint dikk riding no homo but u people need to do your research
[...] DrJays.com Boss Lady’s writeup of all the chapters: Chapter 1 sheds light on Jim’s journey from boy to man. It includes childhood pics, memories from [...]
[...] Writeup of all the chapters @ DrJays.com [...]
[...] a full review of “This is Jim Jones” check out BossLadyNYC’s blog on Dr.Jays.com [...]
[...] excerpt from Dr. Jays. [...]
[...] In the film’s climactic moment, the story (from Jim’s point of view) behind Cam’s megahit “Oh Boy” is told. The “Oh Boy” beat (by Just Blaze) was allegedly intended for Jay-Z, and the “H to the Izzo” beat (by Kanye West) was originally bought by Cam’ron. According to the film, Kanye backtracked and gave his beat to Jay. Cam’ron then took the “Oh Boy” beat and murdered it (with Juelz), so Jay decided to jump on it with a feature. Cam heard Jay’s verse, deemed it wack, and made sure it didn’t see the light of day. According to Dame Dash, Jay then made moves to separate himself from his Harlem label affiliates (in addition to allegedly not letting them put their records out and not signing off on their budgets). DrJays.com [...]
[...] to DrJays.com’s BossLady for the writeup of all the chapters [...]
[...] source Tags: diary, freenimies, jim jonesPosted in videos | [...]
men i think i really love dis.thanks guys