His production methods, the ways in which he physically creates the music, demonstrate this self-motivation and reliance as well. Unlike many other producers, (most notably Large Professors helping along of DJ Premier) he never had someone to really teach him the ropes; no one was there to show him what to do and how to do it. Everything he learned, he learned. When Jonsin sits down to make a beat, may it be for Lil Wayne, Beyoncé, or the backstreet boys, he likes to start out with the chord changes, and the melodies, like a musician would…because that’s one of his main problems with the music industry today, how many of the so called “artists” aren’t really artists at all. He urges people in the industry, both rappers and producers alike to “be creative, learn an instrument, be what itunes categorizes you as.” He feels people like The Neptune’s should be idolized, and laments the way computers and technology have made it easy for anyone with half a brain to become a “musician.” Even though Jim Jonsin may be a new school producer, his mentality and methodology are very much grounded in the past. He tries to produce with as few samples as possible, and when he does employ other people’s music, he does so tastefully, and with regard to the original work. It aggravates him when he hears a song on the radio that rips a solid thirty seconds out of a song and calls it a hook. So while he does like to keep both his opinions and productions tasteful, there are some things he is willing to get pissed about.
This combination of work ethic, talent, perseverance, and common sense regarding what to say and do, and when to say and do it, (whether it comes to the words from his mouth or the notes in his music) seems to have worked out for him. He’s now one of music’s most successful producers, working with everyone from Pretty Ricky, where he really got started on his new life, to Lil Wayne, who preformed over some of his most successful tracks (most notably “Lollipop” and “Leather So Soft”) to Beyoncé, with whom he collaborated on her last album. And this is without mentioning the slew of others he’s worked with on the short term, including Slim Thug, Jamie Foxx, T.I and Twista.
The success continues for Jim Jonsin. Keep an ear out for him because he is likely creating the beat for one of the tracks on your favorite artist’s next project.
Written by Andrew Cosentino for Parlé Magazine