Harlem native, Jim Jones, surprised most with the announcement of producing a play about his life. “Inside The Life & Mind Of Jim Jones,” had two screenings in New York this week, I managed to be in the building to see this event live. People can say what they want about Jim Jones, but one thing that can’t be denied is he is entertaining.

The play begins with a little kid talking about life and ballers, it was kind of hard to hear everything he was saying. We then see a reporter and a camera man on what is suppose to be the streets of Harlem. The film crew is doing an E true Hollywood story on Jim Jones. You see the usual hustlers trying to sell stuff, dudes gambling and sexy ladies walking by. Jim Jones then makes his debut on stage to the delight of the Harlem residents. Jim is asked how does it feel to return to the hood and he replies he never left. Jones then goes into a rap about growing up in Harlem and staying close to the streets. While Jim Jones talks with people from his hood, haters arrive and gun shots go off leaving someone dead.

Jim Jones, although not the shooter, is sent to jail. He is given a second chance by the judge(Ben Chavis), but he must right some wrongs. He must talk to kids, go to sex anonymous and apologize to women for his offensive language and songs. Of course seeing Jim Jones trying to accomplish these goals is pure comedy. He does a rap for school children that leaves one of the students asking the teacher, “What’s brain?” During sex anonymous Jim Jones talks about females stating, “that pussy had a heart beat, I gave it CPR.” Obviously he didn’t last too long and left to go to see a shorty. Jim does a speech to apologize to some angry women but then follows it with a song with the chorus, “This is for my Bitches(lol, about to be my ringtone).”

The play is not all about jokes, there is plenty of drama in the story. Jim Jones deals with former friends turning into enemies, dealing with envious haters, and problems staying faithful. When Jones is locked up the judge states, “Obama is in the White House, no more excuses for black men.” While talking to a young kid going the wrong way in life, Jones states, “look at Obama if he could do it we could do it.” The play promotes people to hope for more in life and not be stuck in a hood mentality.

The story is about Jim Jones struggles in life. It shows him as a child being shown how to cook crack and sell drugs to him being grown and having his own child. Jim Jones prays for reign to get through all his problems. Ben Chavis states, “Amidst the rain, Hip Hop culture is still evolving and Jim Jones is still rising.” The show ends with the cast and Juelz Santana performing, “Pop Champagne.” Jim Jones new album, “Pray For Reign,” drops early 09.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 1:55 pm and is filed under News. You can skip to the end and leave a response.