Jim Jonsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Jonsin
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Jonsin in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Gregory Scheffer |
| Born | June 8, 1970 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Origin | South Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | Rebel Rock |
James Gregory Scheffer (born in 1970), known as Jim Jonsin, is an American music producer and songwriter. He grew up in South Florida. Jim Jonsin has produced songs for many famous artists. Some of these include Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Usher, Lil Wayne, and Eminem.
He won a Grammy Award for his work on Lil Wayne's 2008 song "Lollipop." This song, and T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" (which he also worked on), both reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jim Jonsin's productions have also been part of other Grammy-winning albums. These include Beyoncé's I Am... Sasha Fierce and Eminem's Recovery.
In 2006, Jim Jonsin started his own record label called Rebel Rock Entertainment. Through this label, he signed the rapper B.o.B.
Contents
Early Life and Music Start
Jim Jonsin was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He moved to South Florida when he was young. His first job in music was as a scratch DJ. When he was only 14, Jim Jonsin was already playing records at local skating rinks. By the time he was 18, he was DJing in big dance clubs in Miami.
He even started his own record label called Cut It Up Def Records. One of his first songs, "Cut It Up Def," sold 40,000 copies! Jim Jonsin became very well known in South Florida. He then released another song called "Party Time," where he also rapped.
His success led him to a deal with Heat Wave Records in California. Under the name DJ Jealous J, he released a collection of Miami bass songs called Miami Bass Jams. The first two songs from this collection became very popular. Jim Jonsin then toured with famous groups like Cypress Hill and 2 Live Crew.
Making Hit Songs
In the late 1990s, Jim Jonsin stopped touring. He went back to Miami to produce more music. He became an engineer at Slip-N-Slide Records. There, he produced songs for artists like Trick Daddy and Trina. He wrote and produced Trick Daddy's 2004 song "Let's Go."
After this success, Jim Jonsin started working with Pitbull. The music world noticed his talent. He was asked by Bad Boy Records to produce for the group Danity Kane. He produced their 2006 song "Show Stopper," which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
Big Hits and Awards
Jim Jonsin had his biggest success with Lil Wayne's 2008 song "Lollipop." This song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song. In the same year, he had another big hit with T.I.'s "Whatever You Like." This song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks!
At the end of 2008, his success continued with Soulja Boy's "Kiss Me Thru The Phone." This song was downloaded over 2 million times and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2009, Jim Jonsin helped produce "Sweet Dreams" for Beyoncé. This song was a hit and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Soon after, he worked with Pitbull again on the 2009 song "Hotel Room Service," which also reached number eight.
The summer of 2010 was another great time for Jim Jonsin. He helped produce Nelly's "Just a Dream," which reached number three. The next day, Kid Cudi released "Erase Me," which Jim Jonsin produced. He also wrote and produced "Falling In Love Tonight" for American Idol winner Fantasia.
In 2011, Jim Jonsin co-produced Nelly's song "Gone" with Kelly Rowland. He also produced Eminem's "Space Bound" from his Grammy-winning Recovery album. This album was the best-selling album of 2010. Jim Jonsin also produced "On My Level" for Wiz Khalifa.
Starting His Own Companies
Jim Jonsin has started several companies related to music and even racing!
Rebel Rock Entertainment
In 2006, Jim Jonsin started his record label, Rebel Rock Entertainment. He signed B.o.B, a rapper from Georgia, as his first artist. B.o.B.'s first song, "Nothin' on You" (with Bruno Mars), became number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for three Grammy Awards!
His next song, "Airplanes" (with Hayley Williams), reached number two. His third song, "Magic" (with Rivers Cuomo), reached number ten. All these songs were on B.o.B.'s first album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which Jim Jonsin helped create. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
B.o.B won several awards in 2010 and 2011. He was nominated for many Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. He won a Soul Train Award for "Nothin' On You" and a Teen Choice Award for "Airplanes."
Rebel Rock Productions
Jim Jonsin also signed three producers to his production company, Rebel Rock Productions. These include FnZ, a duo from Australia, and Danny Morris. Danny Morris has worked with Jim Jonsin on many songs. These include Usher's "There Goes My Baby" and Kelly Rowland's "Motivation."
Rebel Made
In 2009, Jim Jonsin created Rebel Made Publishing Company. This company helps songwriters. Writers like Terence Reid, and the producers Finatik and Zac, are part of Rebel Made.
Rebel Rock Racing
In 2010, Jim Jonsin started a racing team called Rebel Rock Racing. He races with Bucky Lasek, a professional skateboarder, and Marius Avemarg, a professional driver from Germany. Famous people like Pitbull and Yelawolf support the team. They also have sponsors like Beats by Dre.
Mentoring on American Idol
In 2011, Jim Jonsin appeared on the 10th season of American Idol. He was chosen to be a mentor for the contestants. He helped them produce and record cover songs to sell on iTunes.
Musical Style and Tools
Jim Jonsin has said that DJ Jazzy Jeff and Jam Master Jay have greatly influenced his music style. He likes to use special music equipment. Some of his favorite tools are an MPC 3000, a Roland TR 808, and an Access Virus TI.
Awards and Nominations
- 2006 BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year
- 2006 BMI Urban Award for "Grind with Me", "Let's Go", and "Your Body"
- 2008 Grammy Award – Best Rap Song – "Lollipop"
- 2009 BMI Creative Inspiration Producer Award
- 2009 BMI Urban Award for "Lollipop"
- 2009 Billboard #3 Hot 100 Producer of the Year
- 2009 Grammy Award nomination Album of the Year – Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce
- 2010 BMI Pop Award for "Whatever You Like"
- 2010 BMI Urban Awards for "Hotel Room Service" and "Kiss Me Thru The Phone"
- 2010 Billboard #16 R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year
- 2010 Grammy Award nomination Album of the Year – Eminem – Recovery
