FAMU alum Brian Jones: The 'Green Screen King' behind Love & Hip Hop's success

Brian Jones

In the ever-evolving world of reality television, one name stands out for his significant contribution to the Love & Hip Hop franchise: Brian Jones, a FAMU alumnus who has been dubbed the "green screen king." Since 2013, Jones has served as the senior producer of the Love & Hip Hop series, a role that has seen him play an integral part in the development and expansion of the brand to include Atlanta, New York, Miami, Houston, and Hollywood.

  
Jones, who studied business at FAMU, is widely praised for his outstanding business acumen and relentless drive. His journey in the entertainment industry began when he left FAMU to return to his native New York City. His first foray into the industry was as an intern at Bad Boy Entertainment, followed by a stint in video production at Uptown Records. 

Jones even worked in artist management, where he continued to build relationships and hone  his skills.
 
As the music industry began to shift with the advent of digital downloads and streaming, Jones recognized the need to adapt. "When the music industry started getting funny, with people downloading and streaming instead of buying music back in the day, I had to reinvent myself to stay relevant," he explained.
 
Jones' pivot from music videos to television came when he reconnected with Mona Scott-Young, his former colleague at Violator Management, the mastermind behind the Love & Hip Hop franchise. His experience in shooting high-budget music videos with artists like Diddy prepared him for the challenges of reality TV production. "When music dried up for a period, I went from shooting million-dollar videos to working for an independent label with a smaller budget, smaller salary, and smaller office. I had to take that 'L' and figure it out," he said.
 
Jones' ability to adapt to the new changes in the entertainment landscape forced him to reassess things and gain deeper understanding of where people consumed entertainment.  That experience has been key to his success, as he is always evolving. 
 

Advice for entertainment industry hopefuls 

He advises young industry hopefuls to be persistent and to seize opportunities when they arise. "Don't be so hungry for a check that you miss the opportunity. You have to be smart about your own opportunities when they come. You have to be persistent and hungry. A lot of people think that opportunities are going to just fall in their lap, they don't.  You have to be prepared," he emphasized.
 
Jones' strong guidance and his role in the development of storylines and his business acumen have been lauded as instrumental in the show's success.
 
Despite his achievements, Jones remains grounded and forward-thinking. "I don't know how long reality TV is going to be around or how long Love & Hip Hop is going to be around. I'm fully aware that VH1 could decide at any time to not renew us. With that in mind, I am constantly thinking about and working on the next big project," he said.

Brian Jones' journey from FAMU to becoming a key figure in reality TV exemplifies his resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His story is an inspiration to aspiring professionals in the entertainment industry.