Meet Markell Jones Sr.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Markell Jones Sr.

Hi Markell, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I started in prison in 2017 (California City Correctional Facility). I had started making music in years prior to 2017; then I started reaching out to some of my good ppl who were also making music on the streets so I could better understand the music business. After talking to a few good sources such as Thirsty P (dead homie$ la), Nipsey Hussle (the marathon clothing), and G.I. Joe (on my grind). They all said the same thing at different times, which was “you need a brand” something that speaks for you when you’re not speaking. Also generates income and traffic for your music career. I understood immediately and started working towards that before my return to the streets. Then one day, it hit me, risktakerz! Everything I’d been doing with my life was a risk, and everything I planned on doing was going to be a risk. From that day forward, I started walking as a brand, a business owner, and not just some local artist. I made parole in 2019 and never looked back! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a very uneven road for me til this day. I struggle with consistency do to the lack of team. it’s really just “me.” even tho I have ppl I rap with, or who support my brand, I am the only one working towards the end goal, which is running a successful business and helping the ones around me eat too. I just feel like it takes a team to really succeed in the field, but every day I put my best foot forward and do what needs to be done for risktakerz as a brand a label. not discrediting none of my good ppl support or my brothers work in the music aspect, I’m strictly talking about the clothing/ merchandise side of things. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an entrepreneur, music artist, and fashion designer. I am known for my risktakerz clothing brand and risktakerz label, which produced some of the hottest underground artists I know (in my book). Such as “da gutta soul which represents the, i.e., and “mayday” out of watts. I’m most proud of sticking to the script and goals I set out for myself while incarcerated, based on I really never had goals in life before that point. All I really knew was gang bangin and the streets. So, to set some goals for myself and stick to them makes me proud of me. But most importantly, I made a way for my brothers, who were on the inside with me, to create a lucrative lane for us to learn and grow from while putting prison behind us. And I think me not just worrying about me sets me apart from others. I’m most proud of showing my son that you can achieve all you have to do is work towards your dreams and believe, never lose faith! Oh yeah, my biggest achievement so far is my song “Vlone Friendz” made it to the big screen. It was featured in the movie “white men can’t jump” (2023). From the pen to a win if you ask me! 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I lost my mom & dad when I was 13 (cancer), I been to prison 3 times before the age of 30. And still I thrive, I wake up every morning with positive energy and good intentions to help not just myself but others also. 

Pricing:

• T-shirts – 60$
• Hoodies – 75$
• Sweatsuits – 150$
• Features/Shows – 500$
• Interviews – 250$

Contact Info:

• Website: www.itzrisky.com
• Other: https://linktr.ee/TinyGun

Image Credits
Denis Shapoval