Is he the next Eminem? Jonezen (Chris Jones) is an award winning recording artist raised in Detroit, MI who now resides in Los Angele, CA. Jonezen signed with Concore Entertainment in June of 2014 and has distribution through the Universal Music Group. Jonezen sells more than music–he sells a lifestyle. He is a movement. His “The Party Ain’t Over” campaign represent personal change, triumph over life’s obstacles and reaffirms that anything is possible. AHH sat down with him for an interview.
What is the significance of your name?
Jonezen: I got the name Jonezen in rehab. By the age of 24 I had the shakes and cold sweats every day. I literally had to drink to function. I’d wake up, put 3 shots back, have a couple smokes and then start my day. When I was 26 I got arrested at the San Diego airport for getting in a fight with a cop. I passed in the back of a cab. The cab driver couldn’t get me up so he called over the cops. This dude shook me to wake me up – I threw some fists and got thrown in jail. When I got out I decided I was going to try to get sober. I saw a doctor who told me that my liver was shot and if I kept drinking sooner or later it would fail and I would die. I kept drinking for another year and a half and finally really bottomed out in L.A. I had a choice – rehab or homeless. I chose rehab. I brought my recording studio and laid about 25 tracks in treatment. When I got out I dropped a mix tape called Live From Rehab (its out as a free download on Daatpiff and my website). While I was in there I was on the phone with clothing sponsor and good friend of mine talking about moving forward as a solo artist and needing a name. He said why don’t you call yourself Jonezen? It made sense because Jones is my last name and I was in rehab. We had a good laugh and the name stuck. Rehab was a blessing man. Best choice I ever made. When I went I had ruined everything I built in the music game and my life was a complete disaster. I had lost it all. In rehab I rediscovered who I was as a person and was able to figure out how to do this music thing sober and better than I ever did before.
What single or project are you currently pushing?
Jonezen: Right now we’re pushing the new single “Tear The Club Up” ft. Gucci Mane and Natalia Damini, which released on November 18th. That’s available everywhere. That record goes hard. It’s getting love from radio, Dj’s, blogs – it’s doing really well so far. We’re also about to drop a teaser/mix tape for my upcoming album Beautiful Disaster. It’s called “Beautiful Disaster – The Preview” and should have about 6-7 tracks on it. Look for that in the next week or so and the actual full-length album will drop in early 2015.
Some industry insiders are saying you might be on the level of being the next “Eminem”.. What are your thoughts on that?
Jonezen: Damn. That’s crazy to me man. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Em is the Jordan of hip-hop. I grew up listening to his records and still do to this day. I can see how people make the comparison though. We’re both white, from Detroit, sober…I get it. I’m honored to have my name thrown around with his. That lets me know I’m on the right path and have accomplished more than most people who set out to do this already. I don’t know if I’ll be able to accomplish what he did in the game but I’m going to try and it feels like we’re on the way. At the same time – I’m not trying to be the next Em. I’m just trying to do me. Be the first Jonezen. But like I said I’m honored to have my name thrown around with his.
Jonezen “Tear The Clup Up” ft. Gucci Mane & Natalia Damini
You just got off a national tour with Bone Thugz N Harmony. Tell us about that experience.
Jonezen: That was TOO dope. Those guys are legends. I grew up bumping their music so being able to hit the road with them was a dream come true. They kill it live. We had great crowds and the fans were really feeling our set. I just dropped a video of that the other day. Check out the show footage on my YouTube (YouTube/jonezenmusic) and see what it was all about. I have to give a big shout out and thank you to We Are Team Hans and the 101 Group for putting me on that. Good people over there. I love being on the road. I love everything about it. The drive, the scenery, the long days, hotels, building relationships with new people, the freedom, meeting fans, growing the base and of course rocking the set. When I hit the stage it’s the only time that I’m 100% in the moment. Nothing else matters accept that performance. That song. That lyric. That drop in the beat. On stage is where I feel the most at home. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back on the road in 2015.
Any final words for the readers?
Jonezen: I appreciate em! And I leave them with this – Don’t give up. F### a hater. Keep pushing. No matter what the odds are anything is possible if you work for it and believe in yourself. I want to shout out my label Concore, Charve The Don and big ups to you guys for the interview. Hit me up on those socials. All my stuff is @Jonezenmusic. That’s the facebook, twitter, Instagram and youtube. Official website is www.jonezenmusic.com. If you haven’t yet, watch the video for “Tear The Club Up” video and pick up that single. You can also call in to your local stations and request the record if you want to support. We can do all the promo we want but ultimately what blows is up to the fans so if you f## wit me then f## wit me! You can grab Live From Rehab at jonezenmusic.com. Look out for Beautiful Disaster – The Preview out in the next week or so and the official album early in 2015. #ThePartyAintOver #JNZN – That’s what it is!
Jonezen on the Get Loud Tour w/ Bone Thugs