My name is Timothy Prolific Jones, and I am a Black Long Island Native. I am a writer and poet by design, hip-hop by culture, cultural amplifier by passion, and activist by necessity. My mission is to amplify voices of the hip-hop generation. I am a poet, writer, activist, performer, marketer, publishing consultant, artist manager, and champion of independent artists.
During my adolescence, I embarked on a spiritual journey with a pen, a pad, a cassette deck, and a village of physical and philosophical mentors and teachers. Over the past 15 years, I have written and performed poetry at a diverse variety of venues, ranging from The Nuyorican Poets Cafe and New York University to Riverside Church and Rikers Island.
I appear regularly as a hip-hop culture critic on the MNet America show “Headliners,” have written for YRB Magazine, and am the co-host/associate producer of Sweet Success Sundaes on Bondfire Radio. I also manage the Queens-bred emcee, SoSoon, and co-produced his debut album, The Bandwagon: Director’s Cut.
My poetry has been published in the graphic novel, Gunplay, and in The New School For Public Engagement’s award-winning literary journal, 12th Street, where he served as the Online Editor and eventually Editor-in-Chief. I am currently working on a several book projects, and possesses an uncanny ability to incorporate hip-hop into any discussion.
Marketer
Poetry and hip-hop are fine art, and it is up to the stewards of the culture – artists, entrepreneurs, and marketers to articulate and deliver them in ways that reinforce their value. Being a creative allowed me to understand that artists are fortunate vessels for stories, concepts, and ideas. My goal is to honor purpose and vision by supporting independent artists through intelligent, honest, and effective marketing. Tactics vary according to budget, ranging from grassroots efforts to developing strategies that utilize a mix of earned and paid media.
Throughout my career, I gained a reputation amongst my peers for my ability to construct grassroots marketing, branding, and social media campaigns, and became a go-to consultant for numerous projects. Professionally, I worked at WiT Media as a marketing associate for two years, learning the ins and outs of arts/cultural/lifestyle marketing, advertising sales, and project management. Currently, I am in partnership with Purpose Productions, providing support to artists, activists, and organizations.
I find out what people need, and how I can help. Sometimes that takes the form of designing websites, creating social media plans and executing them, developing marketing strategies, and producing events.
Activist
In 2002, I joined the Blackout Arts Collective (BAC) as a volunteer, seeing an opportunity to use my art as a vehicle for social change. Eventually I would become the organization’s Assistant Program Coordinator, which gave me my first opportunity to work for a non-profit organization. As a BAC member, I curated artist showcases, co-facilitated workshops, and taught in after school writing and political education programs. In 2004, I participated in the 3rd annual Lyrics on Lockdown tour, where I performed and facilitated workshops around the issue of mass incarceration. After 7 years with the organization, I joined the board of directors, and served as co-chair until 2010. In 2009, my former independent book publishing company, Andre Maurice Press, published One Mic: A Lyrics on Lockdown Anthology, in collaboration with Blackout Arts Collective, Rikers Island Academy, New York University, Columbia University, and The New School.