jim jones

SUMMER 2022: Movie Magic

Marisa Mendez
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What a summer! I worked on my first full-length film, I put together the party of the YEAR for my 35th and I spent time with new and old homies – including my forever faves, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones. Also caught a couple of MGK‘s shows on his sold-out Mainstream Sellout tour and made a little cameo in Maggie on Hulu!

The movie is titled Young.Wild.Free. and stars Algee Smith (Euphoria, The New Edition Story), Sierra Capri (On My Block), Sanaa Lathan and Mike Epps and it’s directed by THEE Thembi Banks. It will be out for your viewing pleasure in 2023!

For my birthday, since I’ve loved whimsical movies like Hook, Sillyville, Big Rock Candy Mountains, Willy Wonka since I was a kid, I incorporated all the energy this year into an extravaganza with all my closest friends! I got a beautiful Airbnb and recreated different lands to correlate with the films, including ‘Neverland’ in the courtyard, ‘Juicy Juicy Island’ (to celebrate my love of fruit-themed items) by the grill, ‘Sillyville’ in the front of the house, ‘Big Rock Candy Mountains’ by the pool and a castle in the sky for the house. Pics don’t do it justice but you can check some out in the gallery below as well as a recap video.

Marisa Mendez x Jim Jones for HipHopDX’s ‘Hack3d’

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I host a new show for HipHopDX called Hack3d! Our debut episode features the legendary Jim Jones and those that know me know this was truly a dream come true!!!! I got to talk all things Dip Set! So freaking grateful man!

The show is called Hack3d because we surprise the guests with people from their lives that can help tell more of their story, and so be on the lookout for appearances from Jim‘s cousin Dave as well as music industry exec Tuma Basa!

(Photos) Me Doing Misc. Cool Shit – Winter 2019/2020

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It was a wonderful winter! Some of my highlights include the above brainstorming session with the legendary Jim Jones, a tour of THC Design in LA, being invited to the world premiere of the Sonic film (and getting to see Jim Carrey and James Marsden IRL!), randomly appearing on The Shade Room in a throwback 106 & Park clip from my high school days (what are the odds?! LOL!) and being able to meet some of our amazing MEIA fans in Orlando when I hosted the M Lounge on Feb. 28!

Photos below!
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#TBT Mixtape: The Diplomats – Diplomats Vol. 2

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Diplomats2front

Diplomats Vol. 2 was my introduction into the world of mixtapes, way back when in 2002. I was in the midst of my fascination with all things Dip Set, and was shopping on 125th Street (for my first time!), saw this on the street and the rest was history.

Vol. 2 came at the height of the guys’ beef with Nas, and features his infamous Power 105 interview (where he dissed them,) and includes their disses on songs like “Hate Me Now,” “Show You How” and “I Really Mean It.” (The latter itself wasn’t a diss, but Jimmy was sure to add his trash talk on the end.)

Listen to Cam, Jim and Juelz do their thing below!
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(Video) Dip Set Hits Hot 97 To Freestyle + Announce Reunion Tour

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Marisa Mendez x Dip Set 2015_LifeIsTremendez

It’s been so long overdue, but finally all members of the iconic Dip Set crew are on board for a REAL reunion, and an album is on the way. It will be warmed up first with a mixtape though, hosted by LIT Digital DJs‘ Funk Flex, DJ Mustard, Swizz Beatz and DJ Khaled.

Stopping by Flex‘s show on Hot 97 last night, Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey dropped off their new song “Have My Money,” while also spitting some bars off J. Cole‘s “Fire Squad” beat (for Lz and Jim) and “The Roc (Just Fire)” beat for Killa – which was a blast from the past, since that’s a Just Blaze beat from Cam‘s 2002 classic album, Come Home With Me.

The 15-city tour dates have not yet been announced, but the guys did reveal it will start with an NYC stop first at the Best Buy Theatre, and that they’ll also be at Flex‘s sneaker expo during All Star Weekend. The latter, however, is just to meet fans and sell Dip Set merch, NOT a performance.

Check out video from their Hot 97 visit below.
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(Photos) Throwback Thursday: How Dip Set & Saving My Lunch Money Brought Me To A Career In Music

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LIT_Marisa Mendez x Dip Set TBT 1

When people say things like, “Dip Set changed my life” or, “I was the biggest Dip Set fan ever,” (yes, people say those things…LOL) I don’t even bother to engage in a debate with them because winning would be too effortless. Dip Set REALLY changed my life. Because of my love (or slight obsession, either one) for them in high school, I chose the career path I embarked on, I met people who put me in the right place to advance in said career and I learned early on how to move around in the music business. Suffice to say, what Dip Set did for me trumps you hands down. Unless you’re like, Freekey Zekey. He probably has a better story than me. Anyway, here’s the 411:
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