Mike Jones

(2005), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. That same year, Jones guest appeared on T-Pain's 2005 single "I'm 'n Luv (wit a Stripper)", which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. His second album, The Voice (2009), was further commercially oriented. Despite a critical decline, two of its singles, "Next to You" and "Cuddy Buddy" (featuring Trey Songz, Lil Wayne and Twista), entered the Billboard Hot 100. Jones's career is loosely trademarked by his catchphrase "Who? Mike Jones!" (or "who is Mike Jones?"), which he usually repeated several times on songs, as well as handing out shirts with his cell phone number printed on the back.

• Name — Mike Jones • Birth Name — Michael Allen Jones • Alias — Sache • Born — 18 November 1981 • Birthplace — Houston, Texas, U.S. • Genre — * Southern hip-hop • Occupation — * Rapper • songwriter • Years Active — 1999–present • Label — * Asylum • Warner Bros. • Ice Age • Swishahouse

Jones originally wanted to be an NBA player who rapped on the side. He transferred from school to school many times, forcing him to play only in YMCA leagues due to transfer rules after the ninth grade. Jones dropped out of 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 "dime bags" for six months.

Jones began his musical career in 1999 in a group called Souf Folk, using the alias Sache. He released one album with Souf Folk, Country Thuggin. In 2001, Jones formed his own independent record label, Ice Age Entertainment, and began a solo career. He independently promoted and distributed his music on the streets and pressed it on DJs at strip clubs. Jones eventually signed with then-upcoming Southern hip hop label Swishahouse, after meeting with its then-A&R T. Farris. At that time, Swishahouse was signing fellow Texas-based 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.

In 2004 after the release of his breakout single "Still Tippin'", which was receiving much radio play, Jones signed a major deal with Jive Records and Warner Bros. He quickly released his second single, "Back Then", which went Platinum, making it Jones's first Platinum single. 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 best-selling album to date. After leaving Jive Records Jones signed a distribution deal with Asylum Records for his label Ice Age. In September 2006 Jones released the single "Mr. Jones". It debuted at No. 92 on the Billboard Charts. The song gained further recognition when 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, he released the second single from the EP, "My 64", featuring Bun B and Snoop Dogg. The single debuted at No. 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. On November 20, Jones released The American Dream. It debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 183.

On November 27, 2007, Jones released the debut single "Drop & Gimme 50" for his second solo album, The Voice. "Drop & Gimme 50" featured Hurricane Chris. On May 19, 2008, Jones released the album's second single, "Cuddy Buddy". The single did well on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 78. On December 2, 2008, the third single from The Voice was released. Titled "Next To You", it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 63. On April 28, 2009, The Voice was released, debuting on the Billboard 200 at No. 12 and selling 25,000 copies its first week.

In September 2021, Jones announced a new record deal with RBC Records to release his third studio album, Guap Season, in 2022. As of 2026, the album remains unreleased.

On February 10, 2007, YouTube user FDTV Video Podcast uploaded a parody video of Chamillionaire shooting Jones. It ridiculed Jones and was the subject of some controversy. By late 2008, the beef between the pair had died down. Chamillionaire apologized to Jones in 2010, officially ending their dispute. He said, live on stage, "From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to Mike Jones for the triple disc Mixtape Messiah 1 diss tracks. I mean no disrespect."

Film • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2007 — The American Dream — Himself — Autobiographical film • Furnace — Detective James Fury • 2023 — H-Town — Himself — TV-MA (Streaming on Peacock) Television • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2005 — Punk'd — Himself — Season 6, Episode 5: Neve Campbell, Mike Jones and Danny Masterson • Prison Break — Darius Morgan — Season 1, Episode 16: Brother’s Keeper • 2006 — Wild 'n Out — Himself — Team Captain & Performer • The Andy Milonakis Show — Season 2, Episode 5 • 2007 — The Game — Guest star