Jim Jones is a funny dude. After being Cam’ron’s sidekick/weed carrier for almost a decade, he finally broke through with his 2006 hit “We Fly High”. Fast forward a little bit and after some well placed guest appearances, rap feuds, and label deals; Jim Jones is now a star is his own right. Now he brings you more with Harlem’s American Gangster. Yea, it’s a little jab at Jay-Z’s album American Gangster. Now, this isn’t the follow up to Jim Jones’ last album Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), this is an “official” mixtape (Do any of these “official” mixtapes ever sell?). Will this hold his fans over until he drops his 4th album? Let’s see…
1. Intro
Featuring Oshy & Dame Dash
The beat drops and it sounds like The Runners produced this one (I can’t recognize if it’s a new or old one). Dame Dash talks shit in the beginning and sends Jigga some sneak jabs (“You know what I find amusing? How much niggas wanna be like a Harlem nigga. How niggas run around calling themselves American Gangsters”). Jim Jones comes in rapping but it’s really nothing that grabs you; he’s not known for his lyrics. If you like Jimmy, you’ll like this. If you don’t like Jimmy, you probably won’t like this.
2. The King
Featuring Noe Ecken
The hook on this track is absolutely horrible. I guess this guy Noe is filling in for Max B now because he’s doing a lot of hooks on this album. Even though the 1980’s inspired beat is decent and Jimmy does what he can, the chorus totally brings the whole song down. And this is track 2?
3. Love Me No More
Featuring Cobe
Do mixtapes have first singles? If so, “Love Me No More” is Harlem’s American Gangster‘s. It has all the elements of single and even though the chorus at first listen sounds awkward, it grows on you. Basically it talks about what happens in the hood when you get money; when you were broke everybody loves you, when you get money people hate on you. If you like this one, you might want to check out the remix featuring The Game (not on the album).
4. Skit #1
Featuring Dame Dash
Dame reminisces about growing up in Harlem.
5. Byrd Gang Money
Featuring Mel Matrix & Noe Ecken
This is another track where the beat is taken down by a weak chorus. Come on Jim; I know you ain’t Nas or anything but if you know you lyrics aren’t top notch, give me some good hooks. You figure out the subject matter of the song. What the fuck is Byrd Gang Money? The features on the track aren’t half bad though and like I said the beat is not bad at all.
6. Stay Ballin’
Featuring Jnay
This beat on this one is high quality. It reminds be of S.O.S. Band’s “Just Be Straight With Me”. This song must just be a snippet because on the copy I had it was just a little over minute and that was mostly beat. So far still the best I’ve heard here.
7. Skit # 2
Featuring Dame Dash
More of Dame talking.
8. Come On, Come On
Featuring Noe Ecken & Oshy
The hook has Noe ( I guess) borrowing the hook from Stacey Q’s “Two Of Hearts” (“Two more blocks…”). Yea. The beat is kinda average and the second dude that raps sounds a little like Jay-Z (How ironic). The song as a whole is nothing to write home about.
9. I Gotta Have It
Featuring Noe Ecken
Okay, the guy who I said raps like Jay-Z is Noe Ecken. I repeat; he tries to rap just like Jay-Z. Speaking of rapping; does Jim even try to stay on beat anymore. On this track he’s all over the place. I gonna start just commenting on tracks now. Why beat a dead horse and tell you how much each song is under whelming.
10. Skit #3
Featuring Dame Dash
Okay Dame, enough is enough.
11. Up In Harlem
I think Jim tries to evoke that 70’s feel on this album but I don’t think his lyrics and lack of talent can pull it off. The beat sorta does it, but just so.
12. American Gangster
Ladies and gentlemen here it is, your obligatory Jay-Z diss song. I remember when I first heard this one around the same time when Hov’s American Gangster came out. I don’t think it made mush noise either. Once again, it’s kind of hard for Jimmy to stay on subject. Even though the beat is okay, there’s nothing really noteworthy here.
13. Lifestyle
I now realize why I’ve never did a Jim Jones review; I can only stand his voice for so long. It’s not that I’m hate Jim, I just don’t think he’s a rapper. Take this song for instance, he uses the same cadence and scheme he uses all the time: A few bars/ad lib/more lines/ad lib. All this shit is starting to run together.
10. Skit #4
Featuring Dame Dash
Damn Dame.
15. Lookin’ At The Game
Featuring Stack Bundles
The beat utilizes an old break beat (Schooly D’s “P.S.K. What Does It Mean?”) and features the late Stack Bundles. I can’t help but feel as if Jimmy is using Stack’s death for promotion. Would Stack Bundles be on this album if he was alive? Would Jim be releasing an album by Stack Bundles? You make the call. This song is mediocre at best.
16. Rockefeller Laws
Featuring Rell
If you don’t get nothing out of this song, at least Jim explains what Rockefeller Laws are. Another boring song. I’m just trying to get through this album.
17. No Fuss
Featuring Mel Matrix, Stack Bundles, & Rell
Ha. I actually don’t mind this song. The concept is simple, the beat is simple and it’s the end of the album.
Bottom Line:
Okay, maybe I’m not the biggest Jim Jones fan. Maybe you can go as far as saying I’m not a Jim Jones fan at all. But I give him credit for trying to drum up some buzz off the American Gangster thing. This album is only for the diehard Jim Jones fans and while it shows some hints of better things to come, it probably won’t sway any new fans.
nappy Picks: “Stay Ballin'”
Download: Jim Jones – “Stay Ballin'”
