We asked some of our favorite musicians to tell us about some of their favorite artists, songs and moments from 2008. Here's what New York champagne-popper Jim Jones had to say about the year in music.
Big Events of 2008 That You Address On Your New Album
I’ve been finished with my album so I didn’t get a chance to mention anything about a black president and all that type of sh*t there. But my albums always talk about the recession. We been in a recession. It’s called poverty. That’s what my album reflects. All my n*gg*s in the hood that’s coming up hopeless and trying to struggle to make a dollar. It ain’t easy because they ain’t giving no jobs so we hustle to get ours.
Why My Single Deserves To Be On Year End Best Lists
It’s the New Year’s anthem. That’s a celebration anthem. You can’t end a year off without poppin champagne. [In regards to T-Pain’s comments saying “Pop Champagne” was the worst use of auto-tune he’s heard], what are they about to have an auto-tune beef? Obviously T-Pain is very successful and he makes a lot of money off of it, so he has the right to say who’s using it proper and who’s not using it proper. Until somebody’s making the same money he’s making off of it, that’s his domain.
Personal Achievement Most Proud Of
Watching [my] studio be up and running. Because it’s something where I watched a close, personal friend of mine start from nothing and just dream to be a part of the music industry because I was in it and made it happen. Let’s just call [my friend] Batman. I ain’t got nothing to do with it, this is all his.
Most Expensive Purchase
I don’t know. I mean I spend money everyday so I’m not thinking about the most expensive thing I bought this year. I don’t really calculate it like that. I calculate it like I see it, I want it, I buy it, and I keep moving.
One Cutback Due To The Recession
I’m still wearing new sneakers everyday and my tank stays on full.
Biggest Disappointment Of 2008
I be mad at little sh*t. But I’m not mad like that anymore. I’m pretty much cool. I get mad at the record label sometimes when they don’t do things as fast as I need them done, but everything pretty much in order. I don’t know what to be mad about. I should be mad I don’t got a billion dollars.
Favorite Album
Jeezy’s album. T.I.’s album, Weezy’s album. Every one of them’s albums had music on there that I needed to hear. T.I. had a real good album. I’m not going to front. He had a real good album because it was more emotional than anything. So it was different for him, but he pulled it off.
Hottest Verse
I don’t know. You know what is the most clever, ingenious song of this year? I must give him credit because he nailed it on the button and it was a risk, but he knew what was going to happen. I give it to Jeezy because he put “My President” on his album, way before all of this went down. There still was a race going on and a chance for McCain to win, and he got that off and now he probably has the most influential song of the year with the inauguration about to happen. So shouts to Jeezy for all that. He nailed that one on the head.
Favorite Rapper
It have to be Weezy, hands down. Who had the biggest year? Let’s get to it. N*gg*s had some songs. N*gg*as had some good verses. N*gg*s had some great videos. But he sold a million in one week. People loved it. I mean for me, it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be even though he’s got some hot songs on there. I just knew he could be a vicious monster, but then again I got to think about my music. There’s a big difference when you put music out on the street than when you put music out to the masses that got to sell for you. Not say it like that, but more the n*gg* really is a monster when it comes to the music and he’s done songs on mix tapes that were way more aggressive than his album. I guess that’s just more for the crafting, but building a brand because my mixtapes are way more aggressive than my albums, also. There’s nothing wrong with [pop records] because that’s what makes the money. But it’s a thin line. This definitely was the album that took him to a whole other level. Definitely took him to Wayne’s world.
Favorite Song To Hear In The Club
“Pop Champagne” Because poppin’ champagne is the feeling that you get and the ladies get involved. It’s a great song. I haven’t been to too many clubs lately. I hadn’t been in a club to watch it pop off, I only been in the club to perform [it]. I performed it in Hartford, Connecticut a couple of weeks ago and the reaction was retarded.
Favorite Producer
I’m a fan of Kanye. [I didn’t hear] the singing [album]. Just the two songs they play on the radio. I f*ck with those two. I like Jim Jonson. He poppin’ with them T.I. joints.
Favorite New Artist
Ron Browz. Show him some love off “Pop Champagne.”
Favorite Website
I don’t really look at the computer. [Laughs]. I mean I’m online but I’m not online. But Complex.com. They show love and they let me be on their cover. That was big at this point in my career.
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.
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