Harlem rapper and entrepreneur Jim Jones joined Angie Martinez for a raw and wide-ranging conversation on her acclaimed IRL podcast, opening up about his legacy, relationship with Chrissy Lampkin, Dipset history, viral moments, and what it means to be a hustler in today’s world.
From the moment the interview began, Angie made it clear: “Jimmy out here just, you know, getting the streets rattled for no reason.” And that perfectly set the tone.
As a result, Jim Jones maintains his position in the game. Now, the people get to see what motivates Jim to do what he does. Thus far, all people have seen is him creating debates about Nas, along with beefing with 50 Cent.
Jim didn’t shy away from the headlines surrounding his controversial comments about Nas.
“I said what I said. I wasn’t trying to come for Nas personally — I was speaking from a performance standpoint, from the streets,” he told Angie. “It wasn’t about disrespect. But if you ask me who the people connect with more, I’m going to say me.”
He made it clear that his statements were about his real-life experience and the energy he brings to crowds and culture, not lyricism alone. The viral moment sparked a wave of responses on social media, but Jim isn’t backing down.
“I know what I’ve done. I know what I still do. I’m outside. That counts.”
One of the most powerful sections of the interview came when Angie brought up Chrissy Lampkin, Jim’s longtime partner and one of the most iconic figures from Love & Hip Hop.
“When we did reality TV, that was our real life. That wasn’t a role,” Jim shared. “Chrissy — she held me down before the cameras and long after them.”
He also acknowledged the pressure and drama that came with doing a show like Love & Hip Hop during the early days of reality television.
“People think they know you from a clip or a storyline, but real love don’t live in edits.”
When asked about marriage and next steps, Jim gave a knowing smile and said: “We still together, that’s what counts. Everything else is between us.”
Jim Jones spoke openly about his childhood and growing up without a silver spoon.
“I was in survival mode since I was a kid,” he said. “My mom was out there hustling. I saw a lot early. I had to grow up fast.”
He described moments of being “in the streets but trying not to let the streets define me.” His upbringing shaped how he handles pressure, business, and betrayal today.
“When you don’t got nothing to fall back on, you learn how to move different.”
This hunger and resilience fueled his rise as one of Dipset’s frontmen, and ultimately, as a solo star and entrepreneur.
When Angie brought up Dipset, Jim became animated.
“We changed the whole game — the way people dressed, the way people talked, the way people moved,” he said. “That wasn’t by accident. We had Harlem in our DNA.”
He broke down how the Dipset movement wasn’t just about music — it was about culture. From pink furs to the biggest club anthems of the 2000s, Jim made clear that Dipset’s impact is still felt today.
“We was our own machine. We ain’t wait on no label to make us stars.”
Jim also dropped gems about hustling — not just in the streets, but in life.
“You don’t gotta sell drugs to be a hustler,” he said. “If you got a product, a vision, or even just the will to get up and grind — you a hustler.”
The conversation then shifted to today’s digital era, and Jim’s surprising knack for going viral — from his workout videos to meme-worthy moments online.
“Sometimes I don’t even try, but the people love authenticity,” Jim laughed.
He reflected on how being himself, flaws and all, is what makes his content connect.
“People can spot fake from a mile away. If I’m on camera talking mess or dancing or saying something crazy — that’s just me.”
Angie pointed out that his honesty and willingness to be himself has helped him remain relevant across generations, even as trends shift and the music industry evolves.
Throughout the interview, Jim offered insight on staying grounded.
“I’m blessed, but I ain’t lucky. I worked for this. Even when I messed up, I kept going.”
He emphasized the importance of health, loyalty, and evolving.
“I’m still in the studio. I’m still building. I’m still trying to outdo myself.”
Jim Jones came from the business side of things to do music. With “We Fly High,” he scored a major hit. After that, he dropped the star-studded remix and got a response from Jay-Z. From there, he was written off as a one hit wonder. However, Jones kept pushing and maintained relevance. Jimmy became one of the first rappers to do Love & Hip Hop, which extended his relevance.
Diversifying from music to reality TV and continuing to handle business kept Jim relevant. Additionally, with his music, he improved his lyricism. As a result, this is why he created the conversation about Nas. For all of the criticism, he has people talking, and he’s sitting down with Angie.
By the end of the hour-long conversation, one thing was clear — Jim Jones is more than just a rapper. He’s a Harlem legend, a cultural icon, and a man who’s still writing new chapters in his story.
Whether it’s music, family, entrepreneurship, or viral moments, Jim continues to reinvent himself — without ever pretending to be anyone else.
“Everything I am — the good, the bad, the growth — it’s all Harlem. It’s all me.”
This Angie Martinez sit-down isn’t just a must-watch — it’s a masterclass in authenticity, legacy, and growth. Jim Jones doesn’t hold back, and the stories he shares are a reminder that real ones still exist in hip-hop.
