Jim Jones Thinks The Music Industry Isn't Interested In Talent: "They Look For Numbers"

BY Erika Marie 9.4K Views
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Jim Jones, Industry, Talent, Social Media, Numbers
He says it's "scary" that "the next Drake" is being passed on for an artist making "bullsh*t" records but hitting big numbers.

Is the music industry missing out on talent? Jim Jones thinks so. As a veteran artist, Jones has seen various shifts in the Hip Hop scene. Much has changed in the genre since its inception, and with the advent of social media, the entire industry has changed the way it seeks, develops, and promotes talent. During his recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Jones, who often speaks about the ins and outs of the industry, said that he believed labels are more concerned with popularity than actual talent.

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"What's so sad about what's going on in the music industry [is] they don't look for talent anymore, they look for numbers," said the Dipset icon. "That's scary because you can have the most bullsh*t talent and make the most bullsh*t record, and as long as that record go viral and click a number, there's a label that's gon' give you a sh*tload of money just because of your analytics and your numbers. And they will skip over all the people that got talent that could be the next Michael Jordan or the next Drake or the next Dipset."

"They skippin' over all that if you don't have your numbers and I know that whole-heartedly," he continued. "That's one of the things that I definitely would get back to changing in the game if I had the opportunity to get into the music industry as an executive again. 'Cause we missin' the talent and I'm not takin' nothin' away from no music that's out there 'cause I like being lit, I like goin' outside. All this music gives you different feelings but I'm talking about when it comes to making different music and real music and giving people the opportunities that should be in the right spot when it comes to being successful, that's what I want to dig into."

Watch Jim Jones's full interview with The Breakfast Club below and let us know if you agree with him.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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