Mike Jones

Michael Allen Jones (born November 18, 1981) is an American rapper.

In 2001, Jones formed his own independent record label, Ice Age Entertainment, and began solo rapping.

He independently promoted and distributed his music on the streets and pressed it on DJs at strip clubs.

Jones eventually signed to upcoming southern record label Swishahouse after meeting with Swishahouse A&R T. Farris.

At that time, Swishahouse was signing fellow upcoming southern rappers Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire.

Farris recalled signing Jones, saying, "I heard him on one of my partner’s mixtapes and I wanted to meet him and try to get him to rap on our mixtapes. We linked up, signed him."

DJ Casual from Meridian, Mississippi was the first person to play Jones on the radio.

He loved what Jones was doing and passed it on to several fellow DJs.

He reached national fame in 2004 on Swishahouse with the release of his breakout single "Still Tippin'" (featuring Slim Thug and Paul Wall), which peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jones subsequently released his single "Back Then", which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard.

In 2004 after the release of his breakout single "Still Tippin'", which was receiving much radio play, Jones signed a major deal to Jive Records and Warner Bros. He quickly released his second single, "Back Then", which eventually went Platinum, making it Jones's first Platinum single.

"Still Tippin'" and "Back Then" acted as singles for his debut studio album Who Is Mike Jones?, released on April 19, 2005, which peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Jones initially became recognized for his catchphrase "Mike Jones, who?"

(or, "who is Mike Jones?"), which he would usually repeat several times on songs.

He also became known for handing out shirts with his cell phone number printed on the back.

The two went on to be trademarks of Jones throughout his music career.

Mike Jones originally wanted to be an NBA player who rapped on the side.

He transferred from school to school many times, forcing him to only play in YMCA leagues due to transfer rules after the ninth grade.

Jones dropped out of Boulder City High School and briefly took jobs at fast food restaurants.

He worked at a Compaq plant and sold cell phones from an apartment on Antoine Drive.

T. Brown, Jones's partner in several financial ventures, said that he sold some "dime bags" for six months, but the two mainly bought "T-Mobile Sidekicks" and sold them for an inexpensive price.

Jones often visited his grandmother's house in the Studewood area of Houston.

He credits her with giving him the ideas to pursue rap, to use his real name, and to write songs for strippers.

Jones began his musical career in a group called Souf Folk, using the alias Sache.

He released one album with Souf Folk called Country Thuggin.

On April 19, 2005, Jones released his debut album, Who Is Mike Jones? After two months the album also achieved Platinum status.

It is Jones's highest selling album to date.

After leaving Jive Records Jones signed to a distribution deal with Asylum Records for his label Ice Age.

In September 2006 Jones released the single titled "Mr. Jones".

It debuted at #92 on the Billboard Charts.

The song gained further recognition when fellow rapper Lil Wayne freestyled on his version "Sky Is The Limit" for his "Da Drought 3" mixtape.

On January 31, 2007, Jones announced an upcoming EP and a movie, both titled The American Dream.

On April 21, 2007, Jones released the second single from the EP, titled "My 64", featuring Bun B and Snoop Dogg.

The single debuted at #1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

On November 20, 2007, Jones released The American Dream it debuted on the Billboard charts at #183.

On November 27, 2007, Jones released the debut single "Drop & Gimme 50" for his second solo album, titled The Voice.

"Drop & Gimme 50" featured Hurricane Chris.

On May 19, 2008, Jones released the album's second single, called "Cuddy Buddy".

The single did well on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at #78.

On December 2, 2009, the third single from The Voice was released.