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2LP
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GET 52747LP
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"It takes grindin' to be a king and Houston's Mike Jones' work ethic of 'You Don't Work, You Don't Eat, You Don't Grind, You Don't Shine' had his phone blowing up in 2005 with the release of his major label debut Who is Mike Jones? on Asylum/Swisha House/Warner Records. Mike Jones started rapping in the early 2000s and he released a couple of independent albums on his own label Ice Age Entertainment before linking up with Michael '5000' Watts of Swisha House. He recorded the underground single 'Still Tippin' with Texas contemporaries Paul Wall and Slim Thug, which appeared on the Swisha House compilation The Day Hell Broke Loose 2. The song, full of southern hip-hop slang and braggadocio, was an ode to the classic car culture in Houston, Texas, and could be heard bumpin' out the trunks of cars nationwide with its heavy bass and classical string loops. Before the release of Who Is Mike Jones? girls would ignore him, but after the release of 'Still Tippin' they were all up on him, which led to the release of the single 'Back Then' where he shouted out his real cell phone number that played a major part in the marketing and promotion of the album. You could call 281-330-8004 and get his voicemail and leave a message, but sometimes he would answer, which led to spreading the word of Mike Jones' debut album. Back Then was also a top-selling ringtone because (back then) you had to buy and download ringtones, unlike today. Mike truly went viral before going viral was even a thing. After dropping the two hit singles, Who Is Mike Jones? was released on April 19th, 2005, and would sell over a million copies that year, leading to certified platinum status. Twenty years later, this Texas Rap classic still holds up with features from other H-Town legends including S.U.C.'s Big Moe (RIP), Bun B, Paul Wall and Lil Keke. Juicy J and DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia added their Memphis touch to the 'Got It Sewed Up Remix' and the album ends with a heartfelt dedication to Mike Jones' late Grandmother on 'Grandma.' Get On Down now presents the first vinyl reissue of Who Is Mike Jones? in a limited-edition silver and red color-in-color pressing packaged with a full color printed insert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this H-Town classic."
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