On Saturday March 26th, buzzing Hip Hop artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will hit Chicago’s Schubas for an intimate performance. They’re bringing Rhymesayers’ Blueprint along as a special guest, and will also have Chicago’s own Rich Jones on hand. Earlier in the week we spoke one on one with Blueprint, now we give you an introduction to the Windy City native Jones, who just released his first project in the 10 song Sweater Weather EP. Hit the jump to get to know Rich Jones, and check out the event page for more info on Saturday’s jam.
RubyHornet: So, you’re opening up for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis this week. How are you feeling about the show and appearing in front of this particular crowd? What do you have in mind for your set?
Rich Jones: Words can’t describe how excited I am to do this show. Both Macklemore and Blueprint are very talented MC’s, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to share the stage with them. I’m mostly excited for the crowd! Putting myself and my crew out there in front of people who don’t know us is going to be amazing. That is honestly the biggest thrill for me- meeting new people and growing our fan base with every show I or my crew does. The set will be bomb. Producer/MC Montana Macks will be featured, my group Second City Citizens will be dropping in to say hey, do a few tracks off the second installment of Our Side of Dope series. I of course will also be performing some stuff from my recently dropped solo project Sweater Weather. We like to do all sorts of tracks but for live shows especially it’s important to keep the energy up. As time goes on, I plan on incorporating more of my introspective/quieter material to balance things out but for now gotta keep a hold of people’s attention!
RubyHornet: I understand you got this spot by winning an emcee contest. Tell us about your victory, and any impact it has made on your career or mindset on music?
Rich Jones: The Master of Ceremonies contest was a really cool opportunity and it feels great to be honored with first place. Not every day does an unknown MC get the chance to perform in front of the people that are at the forefront of Chicago Hip Hop. The biggest thing is that it allowed me to become acquainted with other MCs, producers, promoters, and other influential people in the hip hop scene. I’ve been on overdrive ever since; networking, writing, recording, and doing everything in between to get me and my crew established. So needless to say winning that contest was a surreal experience. The crowd I performed in front of that night inspired me. That was honestly the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed in front of and hopefully they’ll just keep growing.
RubyHornet: Where are you from? How long have you been making music?
Rich Jones: I was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago. Excluding the 4 years I spent in Wisconsin for college, I have lived in the city my whole life, proud to call Chicago my home. I began making music in earnest around senior year of high school. But I had been writing and freestyling for a few years before then. One day early senior year I just decided to go for it and record some of my work. Around then I also linked up with my partner in crime Swords the Ronin, co-founder of our group Second City Citizens, and started writing and recording with him. Things really didn’t start to click though until right before I left for college. I had met our producer Montana Macks briefly in high school and reconnected with him at a party. He told me he produced and MC’d, began working with each other that summer. Been a phenomenal source of knowledge and support, been cutting tracks ever since. Not to mention he’s pretty damn cold on the beats too.
RubyHornet: Tell us about your recent release. What is the purpose of the project, how does it represent Rich Jones?
Rich Jones: The initial purpose of Sweater Weather was to take a risk, put something out. With the combination of free studio time and close friends who wanted to help, I took the plunge and started the process. Now that it’s complete, it’s safe to say that this project is my formal introduction. In a sense, the project is a memoir documenting the last five years of my life and my transition from kid to adult. Growing up in Chicago was truly a blessing, but I’d be lying if I said it’s been smooth sailing throughout. Sweater Weather tells that story. In addition, the variety of sounds on the album represents who I am and the various things I am capable of as an MC and as a person. The tracks are genuine and the writing is honest. Others can fuck with wild gimmicks or hammed up braggadocio, but I prefer to just do me.
Download Rich Jones: Sweater Weather
