Mike Jones "Who is Mike Jones"

“If you don’t work then you don’t eat, and if you don’t grind then you don’t shine.” This just may encompass the theme of Who is Mike Jones. Right about now, you may be asking yourself that same question, who is Mike Jones? If you lived in Texas like I do, you’d probably know his name by now. Based out of the Houston area, Mike Jones has been a lone star state celebrity for a number of years now. He’s used his anonymity and lack of success as a rallying point for his rhymes. For those of us who have been lucky enough to be aware of Mike Jones, we all knew it was just a matter of time until he got a record deal. So, now that his album is on store shelves nationwide, it’s time to ask that age old question, is it any good?

Who is Mike Jones has all the makings of a hit rap album. High quality beats and tracks give it that “platinum” sound that all mainstream hip hop albums have these days. Mike Jones can be described as a “laid back” style rapper. He has a pleasant voice and great delivery that makes every track flow. The subject matter of the album is a little lighter than most of your hip hop albums. Most tracks deal with Mike Jones asking “Who is Mike Jones” and detailing his fight to the top. He demands respect and acknowledgement and one thing is true, by the end of it you sure as hell know Who is Mike Jones. Along with that fact, you also know Mike Jones phone number. I’ve yet to call it, but he says it about four hundred times, about a third of the amount of times he asks “Who is Mike Jones”. There are a few songs with a more serious tone. Even one that suggests that Mike Jones could set aside his easy going attitude and pick up a Mac 10 and blast some playa haters if he needed too.

If you asked me after my first listen I would’ve told you this was a great rap album. Now that I’ve listened to it a few times I’d probably simply tell you it’s a decent rap album. If you’re a serious rap supporter who takes hip hop seriously, this album may get old to you rather quickly. However, there’s no denying that this is the perfect album to crank up on a Saturday night as you roll through downtown with the windows down and your homeys in your car with you on the way to the club.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS

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