Rich Jones Announces New Album, The Shoulder You Lean On, Out Nov. 2nd

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A prolific Chicago-based artist and community figure, Rich Jones is a veteran of the cultural scene. His new album, The Shoulder You Lean On (out November 2nd), firmly plants the hip-hop rooted artist as a powerful songwriter and singer. Stream the album’s opener and first single, “Coin Toss,” below. 

Stream Rich Jones’ “Coin Toss” — 
https://soundcloud.com/richjonesmusic/coin-toss/s-TRvKQ

Jones began in Chicago as part of the group Second City Citizens where he explored his talents as an MC. The group founded a monthly hip-hop showcase in Chicago, now known as All Smiles, that has become a staple in the local scene and has continued for over five years. Through various collaborations with people like Supa Bwe, Taylor Bennett, and The O’My’s, Jones gained praise around the city, eventually being voted second best rapper in the city by the Chicago Reader in 2016, right behind Chance The Rapper.

With The Shoulder You Lean On, Jones found a place he sits in perfectly, blending classic styles with modern production and hitting the right emotional notes. With production by J. Kelr from BlendedBabies (prod. “Smoke Again” by Chance The Rapper), the album’s soundscapes are gorgeous and piercing, with Jones describing it as “truth telling through melody.” The album plays with the ideas of outgrowing a place, thinking you might be missing a greater opportunity somewhere else. Jones says, “Once you’ve seen the world, you get kind of teased by the idea of what another opportunity or place could offer you.”

For those in the Chicagoland area, Jones will celebrate the release of The Shoulder You Lean On with a release show at Sleeping Village on Saturday, November 3rd. Tickets are on-sale now.