Rich Jones

Rich Jones casually half-sings, half-raps about stumbling through the bars and darkened corners of Milwaukee Avenue. The song's dreamy, twinkling instrumental and Jones's simple, affectionate performance remind me of the many warm evenings I've spent walking through the bustling patchwork of diverse neighborhoods along that street. Even if you've never ended a night "blacked out on that Blue Line," as Jones raps, this heartfelt tribute to a stretch of Chicago road will help you appreciate its possibilities anew. - Chicago Reader

In 2015, Rich Jones began his casual crossover into the melodic. With a pair of EPs, Pigeons & Waffles and Loves Jones, we saw him test the waters of his newfound singing ability alongside raps that reflected the Rich Jones we had come to know over the years. While the combination turned out well, it was clear that his talents were developing in a way that was only being confined by his hip-hop comfort zone. Understanding that, Rich flew out to Las Vegas to work with longtime friend and EDM producer Ryan Lofty. The first and only release of their efforts, an awesome tropical house cut titled “Universe + Me”, debuted last summer to great feedback and has amassed over 86,000 plays on SoundCloud since. The two now are sitting on a full project due out this year, and having heard most of what’s to come, there’s no way I couldn’t make room for Rich Jones on this list. Stay tuned to These Days for more on their upcoming collaboration project, as well as Jones’ forthcoming solo project Pink Slips. - These Days

Chicago has become an epicenter for emerging hip-hop artists over the last few decades. Long before Kanye West and Chance the Rapper were bringing eyes and ears to the city, it was Chaka Khan and Curtis Mayfield. Now, Rich Jones is aiming to bridge the years between Chicago soul and Chi-town rap with his own unique blend of genres.

Fresh off last summer’s Pigeons & Waffles EP, Jones will seek to expand upon his local success with his latest project, February 16th’s Pink Slips. Though his sights may be set beyond his city’s borders, a Chicagoan never leaves his home behind. Accordingly, he’s brought along fellow rising rappers Taylor Bennett and IceFace for the latest Pink Slips single, “Magic Man”.

While the track doesn’t have the same reverentially soulful vibe as previous single “Devotion”, there’s still plenty of old-school feel sliced into the beat. A ’70s-rich chatoyant synth shimmers atop a smooth drum machine while Jones recounts his tribulations in the street game. Bennett delivers his verse in double-take speed before IceFace drops in hard to spit about his hustling highs and lows. Check out the cut below. - Consequence of Sound

For those of you who have been paying attention closely to the movement happening musically in the middle of the country, there are many names you’re probably already aware of. Chance, Vic, Keef, the list goes on of big-name acts that have ascended to the big time, but even more interesting is what’s bubbling at the surface. An act that has been brewing there for awhile is Rich Jones, a backpack rapper in the truest sense that used 2015 to find a decidedly new sound. That new direction gets amplified on his first release of the new year in “Devotions,” a loose single that we’re premiering today.

The single builds off Jones’ late 2015 work with producer Ryan Lofty and find the mercurial MC cleaning up a bit, which is reflected down to the cover art. The product of a series of sessions in Las Vegas that found Jones headed into new territories, this one finds Jones continuing down new creative avenues while linking up with DJ Elliven and this one sets an interesting tone for the year moving forward. - UPROXX

Peep Rich Jones’ Katie Levine video for “Call First” that encourages you to quit your day job but always be sure to ring ahead of time. Spilling sequence sets of words over some Jack the Wolf production, Rich moves the conversation to the next level boasting new occupations, new wages, while still lamenting and reminiscing over old ways and other nostalgic pangs all the while.

Featured off the Chicago emcee’s just released Pink Slips album that was inspired after being canned from a job, Rich opens up a new treasure trove of possibilities in the face of closed doors and uneventful opportunities. Jonesy reminds us that “it won’t be like this always”, as the artist provides juxtaposition visuals of himself as a metropolitan minded businessman to feeling himself, sporting his fave beanie (or Cubbies hat), sweater, parka, and in general Rich Jones just doing Rich Jones. Rich dishes out the ancient wisdom that implores you to cast off the burdens of the phone & pager world for a new freedom and autonomy of the self. The city & suit life is contrasted with the urban and down home surroundings that are presented as being more organic, humbler counterparts to the urban lit skyscraper-dwelling life (that also features cameo appearances from RJ affiliates Jordan Looney and Swords The Ronin). Rich Jones sends out a message today straight from the Pink Slips testaments to redefine the life you want to life and then proceed to embark upon that life for all the leisure and discovery that it’s worth. Rich was as kind as to divulge some insights into the inspirations behind the creation of “Call First”:

The “Call First” video was shot by Staten Island photographer Katie Levine with the idea of showcasing Rich’s personality and letting the song speak for itself. Pink Slips, the album featuring the track, chronicles a period of self-discovery and hustle after Rich was fired from is job a few years ago. While that can be a difficult process to deal with, it can also be fun and exciting when you’re challenged to make something of yourself. The video reflects that aspect of this period and shows Rich in some of the dingy corners of the city that made him who he is. - IMPOSE Magazine

Last week, Rich Jones dropped his latest project, Pigeons & Waffles, which in my opinion, includes his best work to date. Rich has been grinding it out for years in Chicago’s underground, so it’s dope to see the rest of the planet paying attention. You really should go back and peep some of his old work, because his videos are always incredibly creative and well done — even if they were done on a shoestring budget. It doesn’t have to be a big budget major label affair to be dope — all it takes is some creativity and a sharp eye for good shots.
Today Rich returns with “Wake Eat Sleep” — another job well done from Rich which features the rapper out in his element doing his daily operation. No Gangstarr. Check it out up top. - Fake Shore Drive

Fresh off the release of his Love Jones EP from earlier in the year, Rich Jones is back in the Booth with the premiere of a new project.

Pigeons and Waffles, a tightly-wound, seven song EP, is the latest release from the perennial Chicago artist, who is on pace to drop a new body of work for each and every seasonal change. Once again Jones has teamed up with local talent, as Montana Macks handles the production throughout on this decidedly hip-hop-centric release. Guest features include ADaD, Cody DeCamry, Defcee, Jordan Looney and Supa BWE.

Ever in the studio, Jones has been back and forth from Las Vegas to LA and back again to Chicago while working on a very exciting project that is expected to follow Pigeons & Waffles. Keep it locked to DJBooth.net for future details. - DJ Booth

There’s been a lot of talk over the last few years here locally of a sort of ‘hip-hop renaissance’ that has taken place in Chicago. As one act after the next finds success on a national scale, it’s hard to argue that sentiment. From Chief Keef to Chance The Rapper to Vic Mensa, the acts that have come from here have paced the scene on both a national and international scale. But a scene isn’t made by only those at the top. To be a true scene, many aspects have to exist, many players have to take part, and in Chicago that is as true as it’s ever been. While everyone may be attracted to the story of a 20-year-old who tours the world on the strength of a free album release, stories abound locally and one in particular worth telling is that of underground veteran Rich Jones who is currently preparing for his Pigeons and Waffles release for which we are premiering the lead single, “Lies, Lies, Lies” ft. ADad with production by Montana Macks.

“Long story short, at some point I figured I’d try my hand at it and have spent well over a decade now cutting records and having fun,” Jones said. “On my best day I’m a font of knowledge for aspiring artists, a vocal advocate for the creative peoples and endeavors I support, and most importantly a bridge between people and places that aren’t familiar with one another but should be.”

No one plays more shows than Rich Jones. At 27, he has seemingly seen and done it all. A native Chicagoan, he began rapping at a young age and found his passion for the art form almost immediately. A typical day sees Jones crisscrossing the city from his side job hustling sausages on a food truck to studio sessions and shows all over town. A typical month sees him play on average five to six sets, give or take. A member of the Second City Citizens trio, Jones hosts a monthly show at Tonic Room and underlines that with additional sets opening for friends or headlining local venues.

Pigeons & Waffles represents a renewed vigor from Jones, who is coming off a spirited and well-received release, LoveJones with producer Krush Love and, as he says it “there’s plenty in the tank.”

“Pigeons & Waffles has existed as a playlist in my iTunes since 2011,” said Jones. “Due to other projects and life shit, I was having trouble seeing how I could finish it in a way that would satisfy both Montana Macks and I. As fate would have it, I took a long hard look at what music I had in the archives at the beginning of the year and thought, ‘Fuck, I really like these songs. This needs to get done’ If not now when ya know?”

The lead single, “Lies, Lies, Lies” featuring ADad is a welcome entry point to the project as a whole. The smooth, understated tones sit well with the creeping warmth of Spring and Jones is right at home over the easy instrumentation while handling himself impressively over a variety of rhyme schemes. He also flexes here on the vocal side of things, giving a peek into future releases by handling the hook ahead of ADad’s inspired bars.

For an artist that truly embodies the hustle of Chicago from the ground up, Rich Jones is comfortable with what’s on the horizon and excited to start unloading some of the music he’s had locked up. It’s the kind of ease that comes with knowing the right moves and understanding how to make them and Pigeons & Waffles looks to be a continuance of a local act breaking through.

“I think the most frustrating thing I dealt with early on was being ambitious with what I wanted to create but lacking the ability to carry out that vision properly. I do miss the default mentality of creating something without any expectation of where it might go or lead to, something I have to remind myself to keep in mind now that I have a catalogue, done shows, etc,” said Jones. “Losing yourself in whatever you’re doing is one of the greatest possible feelings in the world. It may even test the limits of your very sanity! But if you’re doing it right, it’ll all turn out alright in the end.” - 1833