Fiend International Jones

FIEND (AKA INTERNATIONAL JONES) If ever there were two perfect words that best describe Louisiana based recording artist/entrepreneur Fiend (aka International Jones), they would be simply: renaissance man. With two gold records, a Grammy nomination, a successful independent record label, a lucrative management company, a budding boutique clothing line and a burgeoning film company under his belt, Fiend embodies what a successful modern day music industry entrepreneur is all about – versatility. Ask Fiend (aka Sleepy Eyes Jones) what is the secret to his continued success in this business and he will tell you, it is family and the burning desire to further his musical legacy. "My primary motivation is my family because I know that my success places them in a secure position financially. My second motivation is advancing my legacy as an artist, musician and industry entrepreneur. I want to push the envelope and show the world that there are still artists out here who can record cutting edge music that is rooted in the past, standing in the present while branching out into the future. I call it Aqua Soul because it’s made for below sea level music lovers.” It is this Aqua Soul music that has been taking the Hollygrove, New Orleans native to unprecedented heights for well over fifteen years. Fiend began his career in earnest when he was just a teenager, who landed a spot freestyling on New Orleans’s hottest radio station, Q-93. From there, he was signed to local record label, Big Boy Records, where he released an LP entitled The Baddest Mutha Alive, which instantly became a regional classic – one that is still highly sought after by serious collectors of New Orleans hip hop. Regrettably, Fiend’s tenure with his first label was cut short when the label folded, leaving Fiend without a home until 1997, when he inked a deal with Master P’s No Limit Records. During his tenure with No Limit, Fiend appeared on over 20 gold and platinum No Limit albums including his two solo LPs the rowdy ghetto tome, There’s One in Every Family, and the deeply introspective Street Life; both albums achieved gold status. In addition to be a recording artist, he also wrote hooks and verses for various No Limit acts including Master P himself. Unfortunately, Fiend felt that he wasn’t quite getting the money or respect that he deserved, so he left No Limit and formed his own independent label FE Entertainment where he could expand his musical horizons and gain the full financial benefits of his musical skills. “After leaving No Limit, it was only right to start a company to further my art for me and others.” Under his fledging independent label, FE Entertainment, Fiend released five albums totaling over 600.000 units independently. Chief among his indie releases is the Headbussa’s (a super group that includes 3-6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy J) with the lead single, "That’s How It Happen to Em"   selling over 400,000 Soundscan units. His underground compilation project Can I Burn Vol. 1 sold 50,000 units soundscan while Vol. 2 sold slightly over 50,000 units and counting. The Go Hard or Go Home compilation sold over 50.000 units Soundscan. In addition to selling over 50.000 units, The Addiction LP, garnered Fiend major accolades as a producer. From there, Fiend landed a publishing deal with Mike Caren of Atlantic Records. Caren teamed him up with producer Jim Jonsin and the two wrote Twister’s hit single entitled “Girl Tonight.” The song went on to become a top ten single. Fiend also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Single for Lil Wayne’s “Don’t Get It (Misunderstood)” from the his classic LP The Carter III. He continued working with Caren and Atlantic Records as a writer and A & R where, according to him, he “discovered a lot of talent and made a lot people wealthy.” In 2002, he and his childhood friend Mousa Hamdan formed a management firm called Street Customs Management. Today the firm boasts a small but impressive roster of artists including Fiend, Currency, Cornerboy P, Parradox and the Jet Life Crew. In addition, they manage the production team Beats How U Want’m, who have produced tunes for Flo-Rida, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Bobby Valentino and Hurricane Chris. In 2010, Street Customs co-organized all three of the Smoke Club tours and organized all three of the Jet Life tours, the first of which had 53 out of 57 cities both in the US and Europe sold out. Street Customs organizes at least two tours per year. Two years later, Fiend introduced his own line of designer t-shirts called Sleepy Bear T's. “Sleepy Eyes is an option of fresh for cool people,” says Fiend. “When you wear Sleepy Bear Clothing you never compromise your fresh.” Currently Sleepy Bear can be purchased at fine clothing boutiques around the world. With all of the international exposure that Fiend gained on these tours, his mind began to expand as did his music. “Traveling the world was the best thing to ever happen to me. I learned that I had loyal fans in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Hamburg, etc. that know and love my music. That realization helped to open my mind to what it means to be a true citizen of the world. That when I started calling myself International Jones, because I am truly international.” In 2007, Fiend introduced the name International Jones on two of Trick Daddy’s songs, “Lights Out” and “Booty Doo” on the LP Back by Thug Demand. International Jones introduces the laid-back, velvet-smooth, rich baritone vocals that Fiend is known for (think Street Life) over cool jazzy hip hop music that appeals to both young and old alike. In 2011, Fiend became an official affiliate of Currency’s Jet Life Crew and began dropping hot verses on various popular Jet Life projects. He also continues to drop critically acclaimed LPs and mix tapes both under the names Fiend (Little Ghetto Boy Vol. 1, Streets Ain’t Safe and 1 st Rolex) and International Jones (Tennis Shoes & Tuxedoes, Cool is in Session and Life Behind the Limo Glass). Keeping true to his versatile spirit, Fiend has plans for FE Entertainment to branch out into films. “We have a couple of good scripts in development now,” says Fiend who has acted in Master P’s I Got the Hook Up and did some voiceovers for the character Rosco in the film. “I’ve got a director on board and as soon as a script is done to our satisfaction we will be lights, camera, action!” With hot music, successful tours, a growing fashion empire and feature films on the horizon, the future looks bright indeed for Fiend.