Jonesy | ‘Flex Freestyle’, The Flow Maestro
Allow me to introduce you to Jonesy from North Philly. A Biggie/Rozay/new-age hybrid, Jonesy surfaced on my radar as I was riding the Dave East “Survival” post hype train and went to listen to his Funk Flex Freestyle. As the video started, naturally, I quickly scrolled to see the top comments.
“If D. Jones don’t blow I lost hope in this generation.”
“(Jonesy) messed it up for everybody. He just hit different. He murdalized that beat. No one could hold him.”
I mean, come on. Murdalized?! People literally have to invent adjectives to describe D. Jones. As the beat came on, Jonesy’s body was literally shaking in anticipation, but the second he dropped in, Jonesy immediately channeled all that energy into his flow. He was poised, yet relaxed, and as he began to spit his game, it became instantly clear to everybody listening that D. Jones came up there with something to say and he wasn’t going to relinquish the mic until he was done saying it.
Jonesy began his verse showcasing his lyrical aptitude with a throwback approach to flow. It was almost as if you were sitting shotgun in Jonesy’s car as he gave you a mini autobiography while containing enough heat and punch lines to ensure that he had your undivided attention.
“Wake up playboy, we got yo bitch; half naked, tied up in the back of a park whip.” “Menage a trois, papa, I’m like yah, she’s like you gonna bring your friend? I’m like nah, I can handle both, I got em from here ‘rellyo.”
As Jonesy continued, it became clear that this man is a master of flows; he rapped in front of the beat, on the beat, and behind it, switching between the three effortlessly. The craziest part of the whole experience, however, was the fact that Jonesy would not break eye contact with Flex the entire freestyle. Flex was on the edge of his seat the entire time, and it literally got to the point of intensity where Flex had to smile in amazement and look away shaking his head. During last thirty seconds of the freestyle Jonesy really hit a second gear, transitioning to a straight in-your-face style of rap, exuding confidence with every bar.
“Them niggas couldn’t tie these shoes; these loafers. Welcome to the penthouse boy; use coasters!…Went from being on papers to on posters!”
Flex may not have introduced the freestyle as Jonesy’s but it was clear he left the biggest impression. He flexed visual lyrics, double entendre’s, and endless wordplay, along with a quality that I find both rare and crucial in rappers: impeccable preparation. Jonesy’s flex freestyle is like a movie trailer for his music. You can find his visual lyrics in songs like “No Hook” and his “The Box” freestyle, while his infectious, in-your-face flow is guaranteed to get you bumping in his “I’m so Philly” freestyle. With impeccable timing, D. Jones is dropping a quick 5 piece EP on 4/20 called “What Up Jonesy” to lighten up your quarantine so definitely give that a listen when it drops.
I hopped on D. Jones’ instagram live today and asked him if he wanted to drop a comment on the piece and he responded with:
“Just make sure it’s actual factual. We work hard out here. Let em know I ain’t the goat yet but I’m goat-ish; I got all those goat qualities.”
In his own words, Jonesy is a rapper with his own style, his own flow, and his own lane. No manager. No deal. All hustle. Go check out D. Jones, you won’t regret it.
