The Complex 7: Mike Jones

Remember Mike Jones? Who? Mike Jones!?! OK, OK, we won't go down that road. After a four-year absence, the Houston MC is back with a new album, a new look and a newfound appreciation for the limelight. Today, the rejuvenated rapper is finally dropping his second studio album, The Voice, on the strength of two top-ten singles: "Cuddy Buddy" featuring Trey Songz and Twista, and "Next To You."

Jones not only seems like a whole new person, he looks like one, too; during his time off, he managed to drop over 100 pounds from his once chubby frame. While promoting The Voice, Jones dropped by for another round of The Complex 7 and also discussed his workout regimen and his current relationship with T-Pain...

Interview by Reginal Thomas

#1: WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Mike Jones says: The nagging, not understanding this job keeps me away on a consistent basis. I can't be up under you like a regular dude, I gotta stay on the go.

#2: WHAT'S THE WORST WAY YOU'VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Mike Jones says: Going through one of those "Back Then" situations with this person I was cool with a long time ago, I was trying to make it right with her and she broke it off. She wasn't trying to do it. That was the worst feeling. Then when I blew up, she was trying to come back and that was my reason for making "Back Then." So that was my worst experience at that time but I turned it into a fortune by expressing myself through the music.

#3: WHAT'S YOU FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Mike Jones says: I like Jordans—I'm going to forever like Jordans. I like Supras and Air Force 1s; I like the ones people go waiting on line for. I will support Kanye and grab his [Air Yeezys]. They're fly, I'm definitely going to grab those.

#4: WHAT'S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU'VE EVER WORN?

Mike Jones says: To be honest I've never worn anything embarrassing. As a kid, I was always allowed to wear what I wanted and I still wear what I like so I've never been embarrassed.

#5: IF YOU HAD A WEEK-LONG HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Mike Jones says: Make more music, you have to stay on it. Especially with them taking me away from the game cause they wasn't feeling the music that I had back then that the world loves right now. I got a lot of catching up to do. I came out in '05 and took over the game and in '06 they didn't like "Cuddy Buddy" and "Next To You"...I had those records back then. Now the world likes them and everybody back on me.

#6: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Mike Jones says: Water, fruit drinks, snacks...as long as it's full. I drink a lot of water lately, and Gatorade and Vitamin Water. I'm in the gym as much as I can get in there. When I'm on my down time, I go in the gym for about 20-30 minutes and just run, grab a Subway sandwich, instead of eating all the fat foods I used to eat. Right now I'm putting something together with Subway.

#7: WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Mike Jones says: When I lost my grandma. I had to just try to move on without her. That was super hard cause I wouldn't be here without her. She gave me the game and the guidance. I'm happy I took the time that I did have to chill with her and get to listen. Cause you know kids never listen to their grandma but I was one who came in there and if she said, Don't touch the stove, I didn't touch the stove. She passed before I came with Who Is Mike Jones?—that's why I dedicated that album and every album to her.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

Complex: So what's your regimen when you're in the gym?
Mike Jones: Cardio—that's how I lost the weight. I went from 295 to 190. It's a mental thing: Make sure it's what you really want to do. When they wasn't feeling my records, I had nothing but time to get into the gym. It took me about four to five months. I was just thinking, damn if I just drop this weight down and come back with this music and get it to the world, they're going to love it and say wow to the new look. I made the best of it and started working out cause I knew I was going to be back on top.

Complex: Some rappers encounter doubt when their buzz dies and choose to retire, but you've hung in there. Where does that drive come from?
Mike Jones: It's in me and it's from my grandma, too. She always taught me to make the non-believers believe. That's why "Back Then" was so big, because back then they didn't want me, now I'm hot they all on me. Everyone can relate to that. When I made "Back Then" I didn't think I would have to go through that again. When they turned the screen off I started to see people for their true colors. Now I lost the weight and I'm back on T.V. with "Cuddy Buddy" and "Next To You," people all on me again—it's like I can repeat that same song all over again.

Complex: What's your current relationship with T-Pain?
Mike Jones: I still got love for T-Pain, I just didn't like how the situation with "Cuddy Buddy" turned out. When I came out I took over the game and when T-Pain came out he was new. He was with Konvict but he was new to the world. When he came out with "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" and I was the heavyweight in the game, I showed him love by doing [the song] because my label didn't want to clear the record—no one liked it. I know how it feels when no one likes your shit 'cause I been through it myself, so I told him I got you—just make sure you got me cause I know you're going to blow. Jive was calling me—I guess the record was for Bun and Bun didn't do it—so it came to Mike Jones. When you watch the "Stripper" video [T-Pain] rocking the Ice Age chain cause he was representing. But when I went through turbulence with my label cause they didn't believe in "Cuddy Buddy," we all made that song—me, T-Pain, Lil' Wayne and Twista. "Cuddy Buddy" went top-ten so I was like I have get the video shot and didn't nobody come through.