[THE STEPH JONES INTERVIEW]

HERE IT IS! THE STEPH JONES INTERVIEW!

What’s good man? First off, we definitely want to thank you for doing this interview.

Now I know you, as well as many others, are wondering what’s up with the whole [addicted.] thing. Well, I came to a point one day where I realized that music is my addiction. [laughs] I know that sounds crazy but, it’s like you always want the newest and best music and there is rarely a moment where music is not involved in what we are doing. So, my first question to you is, would you consider music an addiction for you? And why or why not?

Yes, music is an addiction for me. I would do it even if I didn’t get
paid for it, because it has been the greatest teacher I’ve ever had in life.

This might sound real ‘Love and Basketball’ but, when did you fall in love with music?

I fell in love with music about two years ago. I’ve always had a great
appreciation for music but, it wasn’t until I wrote my first song, ‘Mr.
Ordinary,’ that it really hit me the way it did. I was in the studio
listening to a bunch of beats and I didn’t like any of them. When I
was leaving I started sing ‘Mr. Ordinary,’ which was a song that I had
written without a beat, it was all in my head and when I sang it the
producer started playing the keys and the music touched me in a way
that I never knew existed and that’s when I fell in love and found my
sound.

We have done some research on you. You know, like Teyana Taylor said, ‘Google Me Baby!’

[laughs] We googled you! But we want to hear your definition. Who is Steph Jones?

Steph Jones is just a young southern boy that has experienced a lot in his life and has a lot on his mind but a different way to say it. He’s full of life, love, positive energy, and definitely knows how to have a good time in any situation. That’s Steph Jones!

Everybody knows and remembers you from your past work in music videos. Which video did you enjoy the most and why?

I really liked doing the Faith Evans ‘I Love You’ video, because it was one on one and a whole different look for me because of the cornrows I was rockin.

When did you decide that you wanted to make moves and pursue a career and how did the people around you react [family and friends]?

I have been making moves my whole life, it doesn’t matter what I was doing; sports, clapping in audiences for extra work, modeling, music…whatever. So it’s not really a surprise to the people who know me because I’ve always been a hard worker and never was handed anything.

How did the Ludacris//DTP hook up come about?

I was at a comedy club and I got on stage and sang while Luda was there. When I got off stage he asked for my demo and about 5 months later I heard back from them. They were pretty much sold on everything I had going on, whether it was Myspace, modeling, my live shows and even just me as a person.

Every artist would like to believe that there is something unique about them. What would you say is different about you, something that you want to bring to the table that other artists aren’t?

Honestly, I don’t focus on trying or saying I am different. I am what I am and at the end of the day, I’m gonna do me and I want them to do them and let the music speak for itself.

What artists inspire[d] you and what made their music stand out to you?

I really appreciated the Beatles, Harry Belifonte and Stevie Wonder for their colorful melodies. But I loved me some Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Etta James, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye... I could go on and on! Basically, music with a purpose and feeling!

If you could remake any song, what would it be and why?

I would remake Rocket Love by Stevie Wonder. Because every time I listen to that song it makes me feel like I’m flying in space!

Another one of those repetitive questions, [laughs], what would be your dream collaboration?

I would like to work with Amy Winehouse and Kanye West.

What are you bumpin in your ride or on your ipod right now?

Besides me, I am listening to Lupe Fiasco and for the most part a bunch of foreign music that I don’t understand. I like to listen for new patterns and melodies.

What do you do for fun, when you’re just kickin it with your crew?

I don’t really have a big crew but when I do kick it I like to snow board, paintball, hike, workout, pop bubble wrap and interact with my fans on Myspace and Facebook.

Are you’re friends starting to act funny now that you’re on the come up?

No, they are not. I went thru all of that when I was modeling. Now they are just really happy because they know that it hasn’t come easy and that I’ve been through a lot, so they are very supportive.

This is for the ladies; does Steph Jones have a special lady in his life?

Yes! I am married to my music... and she’s so lovely to me! [smiles]

I am definitely feeling that ‘Mr. Ordinary’ track. What helps you stay grounded and feeling ‘ordinary’?

My surroundings help keep me grounded and the fact that I always go home and recharge myself with my old life style, my momma’s cooking, visiting my old teachers, climbing the same tree…etc.

Explain the ‘richbroke’ thing.

It means I’m rich in thought but broke in my pockets. But even when I start making the big bucks, I will still be using that term, because it helps me not to forget where I came from.

Last but not least, leave us with one fact that no one else knows about you. It can be ANYTHING.

I was so mad when I was a kid, that the other light skinned kids had soft wavy hair and mine was so nappy ,that I permed my hair and told everybody that I was mixed with white. [laughs] I grew out of that and now I’m Mr. Nappy Go Lucky! [laughs]

Aight, thanks again for doing this interview man. Keep doing your thing! May God bless you BIG TIME in 08!