For artists, having one huge hit can be a blessing and a curse. Jim Jones is very aware of his and the best example of the theory is “We Fly High (Ballin’),” the biggest song Jones’ ever released and one he happens to hate a whole lot 10 years later.
Jones admitted to Complex that he doesn’t share the same warm thoughts fans do when it comes to “We Fly High.” He said, “I actually hate the song. The record makes me cringe.” The admission probably sounds strange to fans considering how huge the lead single from his 2006 album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), actually was. The song climbed all the way to no. 5 on Billboard Hot 100 and Byrdgang captain once claimed the track made him a “triple platinum artist” when all single and ringtone sales were totaled up. It spawned countless remixes, created a few of the catchiest ad-libs from the period and ended up being licensed out to licensed out in countless ways. In short, it was as pop culture as any song could be, regardless of genre.
Still, Jones doesn’t like it at all.
“10 years later, that song has burned a hole in my brain that’s so disgusting it makes me cringe every time I hear it,” he said. “When I walk in the club, the DJ is definitely going to hit the record. A lot of the time when I go in the club I don’t even let niggas know I’m in the club, I be low in the corner, just for that.”
Perhaps the real reason he dislikes the song could be linked one of its key elements: Max B. The Wave God isn’t credited for the song – he did appear on and get writing credit for several others on P.O.M.E. — but it’s widely rumored he wrote the insanely catchy hook. Years later, Jones and Max had a very public falling out with the two putting great distance between them, which Max attributed to money and the lack of proper recognition. During the interview, Jones said, “There is no state between me and Max B” when asked about the possibility of working with the Wavy One, who should be home from prison soon.
Still, Jones knows just how big the song really was and understands how many opportunities it created. “When the song comes on and you see all the people citing the lyrics and doing the jump shot,” he said, “it puts a smile on my face at the same time.”
He continued, “For you to have milestones in this game like that is what we work for. I can also put my family in different positions where they don’t have to work for nothing, I’m able to support my whole family, put my son through the best of schooling. It’s a great feeling. That’s what we got in the game for.”
