In a candid interview on the No Funny Shit Show, legendary LOX member Styles P made it clear that he doesn’t believe Jim Jones is on the same lyrical plane as him. While co-host Kenny Supreme suggested that Jones might have a stronger collection of songs, Styles quickly dismissed that notion, asserting that they simply operate in different leagues.
Styles P Breaks Down the Difference: ‘I’m a Lyrical Technician’
Styles P explained that his style focuses on complex lyricism rather than just catchy hooks. “Me and Jim don’t do the same thing,” he said. “I’m a bar master. I’m a lyrical technician. I’ve been on joints with some of the best emcees in the world,” he added, name-dropping hip-hop greats like The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Black Thought, and Talib Kweli to emphasize his credibility.
Respect from Legends Validates Styles P’s Craft
Styles highlighted the recognition he’s received from hip-hop icons. “When Rakim tells you you nice, KRS tells you you nice, Big tells you you nice, Hov tells you you nice … all these people tell you you nice, you’re f**king nice,” he said confidently. For Styles, it’s about creating timeless music that connects on a deep level, not just crafting radio hits.
A Legacy of Emotional and Hard-Hitting Bars
“I’m not here to make catchy hooks and do dope sht. I don’t knock that,” Styles added. “I’m trying to say some sht that’s gonna make your soul move—that’s gonna be some sh*t you may catch 10 years later, down the line.” He also pointed out that very few rappers in his generation have built as extensive a catalog as he has.
He didn’t hold back when critiquing Jim Jones’s style: “[Jim] don’t got none of those kind of songs that make nas cry,” Styles said. “You better check my jacket. I made up a fucking lane… It was fly dudes, it was kings. I invented the lane where nas saying they make hard sh*t. Me.”
Jim Jones Fires Back: Challenges Styles P to a Verzuz Battle
Jim Jones didn’t stay silent for long. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Jones challenged Styles to a Verzuz battle, referencing their collaboration on the track “Bobby” from The Lobby Boyz album with Maino.
“Now go listen to [the] song ‘Bobby’ we did on Lobby Boy,” Jones said. “We recorded it at the same time in the studio together. Since we talkin’ bars let’s [just] do a versus [sic] ep something for [the] people to listen n judge.”
Jones added, “I’m not scared of no competition on any level, I’m here to level [the] playin field. If we talkin bars let’s go.”
Previous Verzuz Clash: LOX vs. Diplomats
This wouldn’t be the first time Styles P and Jim Jones’s crews crossed paths in a Verzuz showdown. Back in 2021, The LOX decisively defeated The Diplomats, adding more fuel to their ongoing friendly rivalry.
