Jim Jonsin

Jim Jonsin was born in Brooklyn, New York City but was raised in South Florida.[14] Jonsin's first job in the music business was as a scratch DJ.[15] At the age of 14, Jonsin was spinning records at local skating rinks and other venues.[16] By 18 Jonsin had graduated to spinning at Miami and South Florida dance clubs and formed his own record label called Cut It Up Def Records and produced one of its first singles, "Cut It Up Def" which independently sold 40,000 units.[17] Jonsin had become well known in the region by the time he released his next production, the single "Party Time", which he also rapped on.[17]

Jonsin's success in South Florida led him to a deal with California-based Heat Wave Records.[17] Going by his new artist moniker, DJ Jealous J, he released a compilation of Miami bass songs titled Miami Bass Jams.[16] The first two singles from the collection were certified Gold.[17] Jonsin went on to tour with some of the most popular acts of the time such as Cypress Hill, 2 Live Crew, and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.[16]

In the late 1990s, Jonsin was no longer on tour and returned to Miami to produce more bass records and eventually landed a position as an engineer at Slip N Slide records.[18] At the label Jim produced records for Trick Daddy and Trina.[19] In 2004 Jonsin went on to write and produce Trick Daddy's hit single "Let's Go" (featuring Lil Jon & Twista).[16] Soon after the success of this song Jonsin went on to work with Miami rapper Pitbull and produced "Dammit Man"[20] off the rapper's debut album M.I.A.M.I., which was certified Gold.[21] The music industry began to take notice of the Miami-based producer and Jonsin was tapped by Bad Boy Records to produce a record for the group which was made widely popular by the MTV reality show, Making the Band, Danity Kane.[22][23] Jonsin produced their single entitled "Show Stopper" which went on to be certified Gold by the RIAA.[24]

In 2008, Jonsin wrote and produced for Lil Wayne's 5x platinum single "Lollipop" released in early 2008.[16][25] The song was at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for 5 weeks which was the first time Lil Wayne had achieved this chart position.[26][27] In addition to the chart success at the 51st Grammys Jonsin won for Best Rap Song.[1]

A few months after the release of "Lollipop", Jonsin followed up with writing and producing T.I.'s 5x platinum single "Whatever You Like".[28][29] The song found cross over success and was on Billboard's Hot 100 for 7 weeks.[30] "Whatever You Like" was also a popular ringmaster spending 18 weeks at the top of Billboard's Hot Ringmaster's chart.[31]

At the close of 2008 continued this string of success with his production on Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's "Kiss Me Thru The Phone".[16] The song was downloaded over 2 million times and was also a popular ringmaster spending 11 weeks at the top of Billboard's Hot Ringmaster's chart.[32][33] The song went on to reach number 3 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart.[33]

In 2009, Jonsin co-produced the single entitled "Sweet Dreams" on Beyonce's multi Grammy winning and double platinum album I Am…Sasha Fierce.[4][19][34] This record achieved platinum status and reached #10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.[35][36] Shortly after "Sweet Dreams" was released Jonsin reteamed with Pitbull, producing "Hotel Room Service" which was certified platinum and reached #8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.[16][35][37]

The late summer of 2010 proved to be another high point for Jonsin's career. On August 16 Nelly released "Just a Dream", co-produced by Jonsin.[18] This single went platinum and reached #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.[35][38] The day after "Just a Dream" was released, Kid Cudi released the Jonsin-produced "Erase Me" featuring Kanye West, which reached #22 on Billboard's Hot 100.[39][40] Another August release Jonsin wrote and produced on was former American Idol winner Fantasia on "Falling In Love Tonight" off of Fantasia's Grammy nominated album Back To Me.[41][42]

In early 2011 Nelly released "Gone" featuring Kelly Rowland, which Jonsin again co-produced.[43] The single is a follow-up to Nelly's single "Dilemma" from 2002 which also featured Rowland and reigned for 10 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100.[44] Jonsin produced Eminem's "Space Bound" from Recovery, the top selling album of 2010 as well as the 53rd Grammy's Best Rap Album.[12][45][46] "On My Level" was released by Wiz Khalifa (which features Too Short) on Rolling Papers on March 29, 2011.[47]

Jonsin has cited DJ Jazzy Jeff and Jam Master Jay as strong musical influences on his style and has been known to use an MPC 3000, a Roland TR 808, and an Access Virus TI as his preferred gear.[19][72][73]

• 2006 BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year[74]
• 2006 BMI Urban Award for "Grind with Me", "Let's Go", and "Your Body"[75]
• 2006 BMI London Awards – Urban Award for "Here We Go"[76]
• 2007 BMI Urban Awards for "Girl Tonite", "Here We Go", and "Unpredictable"[77]
• 2008 Grammy Award – Best Rap Song – "Lollipop"[1]
• 2009 BMI Creative Inspiration Producer Award[16]
• 2009 BMI Urban Award for "Lollipop"[78]
• 2009 Billboard #3 Hot 100 Producer of the Year[16]
• 2009 Grammy Award nomination Album of the Year – Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce[79]
• 2010 BMI Pop Award for "Whatever You Like"[80]
• 2010 BMI Urban Awards for "Hotel Room Service" and "Kiss Me Thru The Phone"[81]
• 2010 BMI London Awards – Pop Awards for "Hotel Room Service" and "Sweet Dreams"[82]
• 2010 Billboard #16 R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year[83]
• 2010 Grammy Award nomination Album of the Year – Eminem – Recovery[84]

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