SL Jones

SL Jones
Jones in concert at A3C in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Bryan Jones
Born	Flint, Michigan, United States
Origin	Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Years active	2006–present
Associated acts	Killer Mike, Pill, DJ Burn One
Website	http://www.sljonesmusic.com

Bryan "SL" Jones is an American rapper and songwriter.

Jones was born in Flint, Michigan and shortly after moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was raised in a neighborhood known as 23rd & Wolfe Street. He described his neighborhood as being in a gang-heavy part of the city, a collection of smaller Crip and Blood affiliated neighborhoods. He regularly raps about and references his hometown and neighborhood, with the number 23, taken from the street's name, serving as a recurring theme in his music. While growing up, Jones spent a brief time back in Flint, where he was pursuing studies in visual arts, before ultimately moving to Atlanta to pursue a career in music. Upon beginning his career in music, the name SL Jones was selected with SL representing the words "Second Letter", as in the letter B (for Bryan), the second letter of the alphabet.

Jones first gained awareness when he began working with Killer Mike, Pill, Nario, Big Slimm, Da Bill Collector, and others as a part of Grind Time Official, also referred to as Grind Time Rap Gang. While working closely with Grind Time, SL Jones appeared on a number of mixtapes and official retail albums, including I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind and Underground Atlanta.

In 2009, SL Jones released his first solo mixtape C.O.L.O.R.S.: Bangin' On Wax. The mixtape included features from Killer Mike, Trae Tha Truth, Clipse, Chamillionaire, and more. Upon release, the project earned SL Jones accolades from a variety of press outlets, including Complex Magazine, which named SL Jones as one of The 10 Most Underrated New Rappers, writing: "With an analytical Mind and lyrical dexterity to go with impeccable flows and harmonies, [SL Jones] brings a complexity that's rare for both Southern and gang-affiliated rap."

In 2011, SL Jones released four projects. On May 23, SL Jones released the Don Cannon-hosted mixtape The Number 23, a project which included features from Killer Mike, Pill, Trae Tha Truth, Waka Flocka Flame, and Yo Gotti, along with production from various producers, most notably: Lex Luger, Shawty Redd, Don Cannon, and Smiff & Cash. The mixtape received positive feedback, with XXL Magazine awarding the project an L-rated review, while Atlanta's leading alternative weekly, Creative Loafing gave the project a 4/5.