Jim Jones Explains His ‘Swagger Like Us’ Response

Everyone seems to have an opinion on “Swagger Like Us,” T.I.’s recent all-star collabo with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. Folks like Jermaine Dupri and Diddy have even recorded their own verses over the song in an attempt to assert their own “swag” status.

Now Jim Jones is taking it one step further. Last week, we were building with the Capo in his studio for some future shit (stay tuned) when he spilled the beans about his own response to the song, a rumor that Miss Info reported on yesterday. He’s currently recording a new joint named “Jackin’ Swagger From Us,” featuring additional verses from Juelz and Lil Wayne, along with a re-recorded hook from M.I.A. and a new beat by Chink Santana. Read on to preview an exclusive snippet of the track and see what Jones had to say about the four artists on the first “Swagger”…

Jim Jones f/ Lil Wayne, Juelz & M.I.A. “Jackin’ Swagger From Us”
(Snippet of Lil’ Wayne’s verse)

from Pray For Reign

Complex: You and Juelz are all about that swag-splashing. How do you feel about not being included on “Swagger Like Us”?

Jim Jones: I think it was deliberate. I really do think it was deliberate; maybe in my sick twisted mind I'm a little crazy. People know who set the precedent as far as fashion in this industry and people know who damn near changed the world as far as fashion. You look at people, they went from the urban world of clothing, back when Rocawear and Sean John was cool. And then in the past 5 years I stepped in and gave them a taste of what rock and roll looks like from my side. I guess people would say from an urban side, and it seemed to catch on like wildfire, to the point that people was going to stores and asking for that Jim Jones look. Me and Juelz had Chink do our own beat, I have Weezy's verse in my inbox right now and we kept the hook of that song because it was a sample. So we're going to put that as a bonus track on the album, and put it to the streets. “No one on the corner got swag like you we don't Rocawear that's for fags like you.” [Laughs.]

Complex: Ahhh…

Jim Jones: And look at the Vibe cover. Tell me who Jay-Z looks like in there? Did you see the picture of him? With the Louis Vuitton scarf and all that. Who did that resemble? You can say it. But he did it wrong; he had a Gucci belt with a Louis Vuitton scarf. Who does that? You smell me? That's like wearing one Nike and one Puma; how you going to get away with that? But I didn't take the song as a shot, because I don't feel like none [besides Weezy] of them possess any swag.

Complex: What about T.I?

Jim Jones: I don't feel like he possesses any swag. Not like that. It's fabricated. They're watching other people, then they try and do it. You know people that dress like T.I.? You know people that go out and say let me get a T.I. outfit or do you know people who say “yo, you're looking like Jim Jones?” Which one? Lemme hear it! When the bitches want to fuck you and the niggas want be like you, who got the swag? Niggas with money and fame always going to look like they doing something 'cause they got the camera in front of them. But the cool dudes always stick out no matter where they at.