Volume 3, Issue 13 |
| Jim Jonsin |
Ever heard of Eminem, Usher, Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Pitbull, T.I., Game, Trick Daddy and
Nelly? Well, those are just a few of the chart topping artists that Jim Jonsin has crafted hot beats
for. In this exclusive interview, Jim talks about his hitmaking track record and what song he
produced led to a GRAMMY.
IAE: Please tell us where you’re from and what influenced you to pursue a career in music?
JIM: I am from Broward County, and Palm Beach County, Florida. I was a DJ who loved music and always
wanted to be a part of music, so I became a producer. I liked the limelight, but since I’m a Gemini, sometimes I
don’t like the attention. As a producer, you can come out when you want to or hide when you don’t want to be
seen. I like putting people together and being a part of the creative process and directing them, so being a
producer is the perfect job for me.
IAE: You started out in the Miami nightclubs dee-jaying, but what was it that got you into
producing songs?
JIM: I started DJing in Palm Beach, when I was 17 and I met this guy named Bob Smith. We wanted to
start a record label, so four of us started a company called, Cut It Up Def Records. We put out a few 12 inches
(vinyl albums), then we did a compliation record that went gold independetly; and this is when I first started
producing. We had regional hits and went from there.
IAE: When did you get that first major opportunity as a producer and how did that come about?
JIM: I worked out of a label in Florida called, Slip N Slide Records, and they had Rick Ross. A guy named
Ted Lucas, who runs the label, hired me as an engineer and so I played my beats for him and he gave me a
couple album cuts with Trina. Then, in 2004 I played a track for Trick Daddy, Lil Jon and Twista. That track
ended up being the single, “Lets Go”, which was a huge hit that went triple platinum and was #1 on the
Billboard Charts. At the same time I produced the record with Kelly Rowland and Trina called, “Here We Go,”
and this also became a hit. Also, at that time I was developing a group called Pretty Ricky and I co-produced
their hit single “Grind on Me.” From there I did Pitbull’s song “Dammit Man” and when it came out it was a big
hit.
IAE: You discovered B.o.B., one of my favorite artists in recent years. What was it about him
that made you want to sign him?
JIM: I remember being in the studio one morning looking for a new artist for my new imprint (label) deal for
Rebel Rock, on Atlantic Records, and my firend Rocco played me this music he discovered on MySpace.
B.o.B. was being looked at by many other labels so we made a deal for him and signed him. After signing him
we spent a long time developing him. His whole package was undeniable. He had it all, singer, writer, producer,
artist, rapper and his team was an awesome group of people.
IAE: What was the one record that was the major turning point in your production career?
JIM: “Sweet Dreams” for Beyonce was huge for me. It was a totally different sound and it showed my
versatility. I had already made a name in hip hop and R&B, and the “Lollipop” record I did for Lil Wayne was a
huge hit too. That record was an eye opener that, “This guy Jim Jonsin makes global records.” Lollipop
wouldnt have been possible without the writer Static Major who passed. (R.I.P.)
IAE: What advice can you give to young producers about the importance of making sure their
publishing is in order?
JIM: Remember, when you’re doing your publishing deal make sure you are with BMI, ASCAP or SESAC
to handle your performance rights royalties. For publishing itself, make sure your song commitments are in
order, and be sure you know how to calculate your percentage versus your song commitment; that is crucial.
IAE: What’s next for Jim Jonsin?
JIM: I would like to build Rebel Rock to be the most unique and established company in the business. We
are signing great artists and developing writers and producers. I want to build a solid company all the way
around.
IAE: What are your musical weapons of choice when crafting a Jim Jonsin smash?
JIM: Logic Pro Audio computer program, MPC2500, Virus TI keyboard, Native Instruments plug-ins with
keyboard modules inside the Logic Audio, Waves plug-ins for EQ’s, guitars by Frank Romano, keyboards by
Danny Morris and then you get your hits.
Nelly? Well, those are just a few of the chart topping artists that Jim Jonsin has crafted hot beats
for. In this exclusive interview, Jim talks about his hitmaking track record and what song he
produced led to a GRAMMY.
IAE: Please tell us where you’re from and what influenced you to pursue a career in music?
JIM: I am from Broward County, and Palm Beach County, Florida. I was a DJ who loved music and always
wanted to be a part of music, so I became a producer. I liked the limelight, but since I’m a Gemini, sometimes I
don’t like the attention. As a producer, you can come out when you want to or hide when you don’t want to be
seen. I like putting people together and being a part of the creative process and directing them, so being a
producer is the perfect job for me.
IAE: You started out in the Miami nightclubs dee-jaying, but what was it that got you into
producing songs?
JIM: I started DJing in Palm Beach, when I was 17 and I met this guy named Bob Smith. We wanted to
start a record label, so four of us started a company called, Cut It Up Def Records. We put out a few 12 inches
(vinyl albums), then we did a compliation record that went gold independetly; and this is when I first started
producing. We had regional hits and went from there.
IAE: When did you get that first major opportunity as a producer and how did that come about?
JIM: I worked out of a label in Florida called, Slip N Slide Records, and they had Rick Ross. A guy named
Ted Lucas, who runs the label, hired me as an engineer and so I played my beats for him and he gave me a
couple album cuts with Trina. Then, in 2004 I played a track for Trick Daddy, Lil Jon and Twista. That track
ended up being the single, “Lets Go”, which was a huge hit that went triple platinum and was #1 on the
Billboard Charts. At the same time I produced the record with Kelly Rowland and Trina called, “Here We Go,”
and this also became a hit. Also, at that time I was developing a group called Pretty Ricky and I co-produced
their hit single “Grind on Me.” From there I did Pitbull’s song “Dammit Man” and when it came out it was a big
hit.
IAE: You discovered B.o.B., one of my favorite artists in recent years. What was it about him
that made you want to sign him?
JIM: I remember being in the studio one morning looking for a new artist for my new imprint (label) deal for
Rebel Rock, on Atlantic Records, and my firend Rocco played me this music he discovered on MySpace.
B.o.B. was being looked at by many other labels so we made a deal for him and signed him. After signing him
we spent a long time developing him. His whole package was undeniable. He had it all, singer, writer, producer,
artist, rapper and his team was an awesome group of people.
IAE: What was the one record that was the major turning point in your production career?
JIM: “Sweet Dreams” for Beyonce was huge for me. It was a totally different sound and it showed my
versatility. I had already made a name in hip hop and R&B, and the “Lollipop” record I did for Lil Wayne was a
huge hit too. That record was an eye opener that, “This guy Jim Jonsin makes global records.” Lollipop
wouldnt have been possible without the writer Static Major who passed. (R.I.P.)
IAE: What advice can you give to young producers about the importance of making sure their
publishing is in order?
JIM: Remember, when you’re doing your publishing deal make sure you are with BMI, ASCAP or SESAC
to handle your performance rights royalties. For publishing itself, make sure your song commitments are in
order, and be sure you know how to calculate your percentage versus your song commitment; that is crucial.
IAE: What’s next for Jim Jonsin?
JIM: I would like to build Rebel Rock to be the most unique and established company in the business. We
are signing great artists and developing writers and producers. I want to build a solid company all the way
around.
IAE: What are your musical weapons of choice when crafting a Jim Jonsin smash?
JIM: Logic Pro Audio computer program, MPC2500, Virus TI keyboard, Native Instruments plug-ins with
keyboard modules inside the Logic Audio, Waves plug-ins for EQ’s, guitars by Frank Romano, keyboards by
Danny Morris and then you get your hits.
| Jim Jonsin - GRAMMY Award Winning Producer |
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