SL Jones

Jones was born in Flint, Michigan, and shortly after moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was raised in a neighborhood known as 23rd & Wolfe Street.{{cite web|title=SL Jones: Made Man Part I{{!}}|url=http://24hourhiphop.com/next-in-line/sl-jones-made-man-part-i|date=December 25, 2010}} He described his neighborhood as being in a gang-heavy part of the city, a collection of smaller Crip and Blood affiliated neighborhoods. He regularly raps about and references his hometown and neighborhood, with the number 23, taken from the street's name, serving as a recurring theme in his music.{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Mark|title=SL Jones Carves Out His Own Identity, Aside From Killer Mike|website=MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667291/sl-jones-killer-mike-the-number-23.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716235137/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667291/sl-jones-killer-mike-the-number-23.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2011|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=July 14, 2011}} While growing up, Jones spent a brief time back in Flint, where he was pursuing studies in visual arts,{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Nadine|title=Killer Mike's longtime protege speaks about being an art student with Crip ties, coming up in the Grind Time Rap Gang, and putting on for Little Rock, Arkansas|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/dxnext/id.199/title.dxnext-sl-jones|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=April 18, 2012}} before ultimately moving to Atlanta to pursue a career in music. Upon beginning his career in music, the name SL Jones was selected with SL representing the words "Second Letter", as in the letter B (for Bryan), the second letter of the alphabet.

Jones first gained awareness when he began working with Killer Mike, Pill, Nario, Big Slimm, Da Bill Collector, and others as a part of Grind Time Official, also referred to as Grind Time Rap Gang.{{cite web|last=Paine|first=Jake|title=Killer Mike Reveals The Origin & Inspiration To The Grind Time Flag|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15812/title.killer-mike-reveals-the-origin-inspiration-to-the-grind-time-flag|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=July 3, 2011}} While working closely with Grind Time, SL Jones appeared on a number of mixtapes and official retail albums, including I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind and Underground Atlanta.

In 2009, SL Jones released his first solo mixtape C.O.L.O.R.S.: Bangin' On Wax. The mixtape included features from Killer Mike, Trae Tha Truth, Clipse, Chamillionaire, and more. Upon release, the project earned SL Jones accolades from a variety of press outlets, including Complex Magazine, which named SL Jones as one of The 10 Most Underrated New Rappers, writing: "With an analytical Mind and lyrical dexterity to go with impeccable flows and harmonies, [SL Jones] brings a complexity that's rare for both Southern and gang-affiliated rap."{{cite web|title=Complex Presents: The 10 Most Underrated New Rappers|website=Complex Networks|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2009/11/complex-presents-the-10-most-underrated-new-rappers|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=November 25, 2009}}

In 2011, SL Jones released four projects. On May 23, SL Jones released the Don Cannon-hosted mixtape The Number 23,{{cite web|last=Zeichner|first=Naomi|title=SL Jones' The Number 23 Mixtape|url=http://www.thefader.com/2011/05/23/sl-jones-the-number-23-mixtape/|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=May 23, 2011}} a project which included features from Killer Mike, Pill, Trae Tha Truth, Waka Flocka Flame, and Yo Gotti, along with production from various producers, most notably: Lex Luger, Shawty Redd, Don Cannon, and Smiff & Cash. The mixtape received positive feedback, with XXL Magazine awarding the project an L-rated review,{{cite web|last=Martinez-Belkin|first=Neil|title=SL Jones, The Number 23|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/reviews/2011/06/sl-jones-the-number-23/|accessdate=July 31, 2012|date=June 21, 2011}} while Atlanta's leading alternative weekly, Creative Loafing gave the project a 4/5.{{cite web|last=Richards|first=M.T.|title=SL Jones: The Number 23|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-167596-sl-jones-the-number-23|access-date=July 31, 2012|date=June 6, 2011}}

On August 23, 2011, The Number 23 was re-released in a slimmed down, non-DJ format titled The Number 23: Editor's Cut.{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Andrew|title=SL Jones: 'The Number 23: Editor's Cut' (Mixtape)|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/media/sl-jones/the-number-23-editors-cut-mixtape/55636|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=August 23, 2011}} This version, with a total of 16 songs, included two new tracks: "Out Here", which features Rocko and JBar, and "Michael Jordan", produced by Lex Luger.

On September 14, 2011, SL Jones released Pandamonium,{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Andrew|title=SL Jones: 'Pandamonium' (Clams Casino 'Rainforest' EP Remixes)|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/media/sl-jones/pandamonium-clams-casino-rainforest-ep-remixes/56342/|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=September 14, 2011}} a project that remixed Clams Casino's Rainforest EP. The project contained five tracks.

On December 14, 2011, SL Jones released a mixtape, Flight Risk.{{cite web|last=Iraheta|first=Mark|title=Mixtape: SL Jones "Flight Risk"|website=Complex Networks|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/12/mixtape-sl-jones-flight-risk|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=December 14, 2011}} The 10-track project included production by several producers, including Sonny Digital, Young L, Lex Luger, and Shawty Redd. XXL writes, "...the tape is another dosage of quality material from SL. Streets approved, no questions."{{cite web|last=Bristout|first=Ralph|title=SL Jones, Flight Risk|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/reviews/2012/01/sl-jones-flight-risk/|accessdate=July 30, 2012|date=January 10, 2012}}

In 2012, SL Jones announced his intention to release a series of EP projects; instead he began working to complete a 12-track mixtape with Atlanta producer DJ Burn One for the first five months of the year.{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Andrew|title=Mixtape: SL Jones & DJ Burn One 'Paraphernalia'|website=Complex Networks|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/mixtape-sl-jones-dj-burn-one-paraphernalia|date=May 23, 2012}} In February 2012, SL Jones announced the collaborative project, titled Paraphernalia. In concert with the announcement, SL Jones released “Wave Runner,” a song produced by DJ Burn One that ultimately was not included on the mixtape.{{cite web|last=Drake|first=David|title= SL Jones, 'Wave Runner' (Prod. by DJ Burn One) MP3|url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/02/13/sl-jones-wave-runner-prod-by-dj-burn-one-mp3/|date=February 13, 2012}} On May 23, SL Jones released Paraphernalia, which includes features from rappers Freddie Gibbs and Rittz and singer Ebony Love.{{cite web|author=Gotty|title= SL Jones X DJ Burn One - 'Dope Man' Video|url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2012/05/sl-jones-x-dj-burn-one-dope-man-video|date=May 17, 2012}}

Critical response to Paraphernalia was positive. Complex Magazine hailed the mixtape as "an expertly crafted piece of Southern-fried hip-hop." FADER Magazine wrote, "Paraphernalia boasts variety, songcraft and attention to detail, a tough trifecta to find."{{cite web|last=Drake|first=David|title=Download SL Jones' Paraphernalia Mixtape|url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/05/23/download-sl-jones-paraphernalia-mixtape/|date=May 23, 2012}} RCRD LBL wrote, "Paraphernalia is like spending the day at a barbecue. There's soulful lyricism and the sort of stoned throwback organic funk at which Burn One excels."{{cite web|last=Maness|first=Carter|title=Mixtape: SL Jones X DL Burn One - Paraphernalia|url=http://rcrdlbl.com/2012/05/24/mixtape_sl_jones_x_dj_burn_one_paraphernalia}} The Smoking Section wrote, "My best advice is not to sleep on Paraphernalia."{{cite web|author=Raj|title= New Music: SL Jones X DJ Burn One Feat. Rittz & Ebony Love - 'M.D.M.A.'|url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2012/05/new-music-sl-jones-x-dj-burn-one-feat-rittz-m-d-m-a#more-294119|date=May 21, 2012}}

In 2013, SL Jones announced a new EP, Trapper's Delight, produced by M16.{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/ep-sl-jones-trappers-delight |title=EP: SL Jones "Trapper's Delight" |website=Complex |date=January 23, 2013 |author=Paul Meara |accessdate=May 8, 2015}} The EP included seven songs and earned strong marks from outlets like Complex, XXL, and others.{{Cite web | url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/01/sl-jones-drops-new-ep-trappers-delight-download-now/ | title=SL Jones Drops New EP, Trapper's Delight [Download Now] - XXL| date=23 January 2013}} In April, SL Jones went out on his first headline tour, "The Way Of Life No Hobby Tour", to support Trapper's Delight and prepare for his new mixtape.{{Cite web | url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2013/04/sl-jones-sack-religious-video |title = UPROXX| date=9 October 2023 }} The nine-city tour made stops in states including Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

In August 2013, SL Jones announced a new mixtape, Way Of Life No Hobby, hosted by popular mixtape DJ and record executive Don Cannon. The mixtape was preceded by three singles, "Big Bank (No Ones)",{{Cite web | url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/premiere-sl-jones-big-bank-no-ones-prod-by-metro-boomin |title = Premiere: SL Jones "Big Bank (No Ones)" (Prod. By Metro Boomin)|website = Complex Networks}} "America's Nightmare",{{Cite web | url=https://www.spin.com/2013/08/sl-jones-americas-nightmare-kevin-gates-stream-mixtape/ | title=SL Jones and Kevin Gates Play the Part on 'America's Nightmare'| date=2013-08-29}} and "Don't Want Nan".{{Cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/premiere-sl-jones-dont-want-nan-feat-starlito-and-trouble/ |title = Premiere: SL Jones - "Don't Want Nan" (Feat. Starlito and Trouble)|date = 2013-09-03}} Like Trapper's Delight and Paraphernalia, SL Jones collaborated exclusively with one producer, Metro Boomin, for Way Of Life No Hobby. The mixtape was released on September 4, 2013, via popular mixtape website LiveMixtapes and includes features from Killer Mike, Kevin Gates, Starlito, Trouble, Mibbs of the rap group Pac Div, and others.{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23745/sl-jones-way-of-life-no-hobby.html|title=SL Jones - Way Of Life No Hobby - DJ Don Cannon|website=LiveMixtapes}}

• C.O.L.O.R.S.: Bangin' On Wax (2009)
• The Number 23 (2011)
• The Number 23: Editor's Cut (2011)
• Flight Risk (2011)
• Paraphernalia (2012)
• Trapper's Delight (2013)
• Way Of Life No Hobby (2013)

• Pandamonium (Rainforest Remixes) (2011)

• I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind
• Underground Atlanta

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.sljonesmusic.com/}}

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Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:20th-century American male rappers

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Little Rock, Arkansas

Category:Rappers from Arkansas

Category:Southern hip-hop musicians

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century African-American musicians