There’s no denying that Jim Jones’ rise to the top has been a tumultuous one and the truth is it’s only just begun. A founding member of the Diplomats he stood in the shadows as an executive for years patiently waiting for his time to step into the spotlight. Years passed before Jim stepped into the artist role with his debut album, On My Way To Church. He followed it up with  Harlem: Diary Of A Summer.

While both albums were solid efforts and they fared well commercially for an independent artist Jim Jones truly became a star in 2006 with the release of his third album Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) fueled by the massive hit single “We Fly High (Ballin’)”.

Due to the album Jim became a dominant figure in the hip-hop world and landed an unprecedented deal with Sony under Rick Rubin and veteran A&R Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua . Jim Jones’ accomplishments were somewhat overshadowed however by rumors of beef within the Dipset as well as the turbulence between him and Cam’Ron. In addition to taking the reigns of Dipset after Cam’Ron mysteriously walked away from the once immensely popular group, Jim has still managed to release an album by hi s own group Byrd Gang as well as a mixtape album Harlem’s American Gangster.

It’s not only Jones’ progress that keeps his profile moving upward as a war of words with Jay-Z and disparaging comments about Nas have contributed. But the bottom line is, everybody does have their eye on Jim Jones and his major label debut Pray IV Reign is one of the most highly anticipated of the year. Jim Jones is definitely at a crossroads and only time will tell what his place in hip-hop history will be. Sixshot.Com’s Jon Michael sat down with Jim Jones to discuss the restructuring of Dipset, his effect on hip-hop culture, and what we can expect from his upcoming album.

Sixshot.Com: Jim, the first thing I wanted to talk about was your time at Koch especially Hustler’s P.O.M.E. The execution of that album was flawless and probably one of the most successful independent hip-hop albums. What was your game plan for that album and did you know it was going to be that successful?

Jim Jones: At that point I would say that I had already built up a nice fan base. I had two albums before that and they did well so it kind of built off that. Plus, there was always the Diplomat movement and all that, you know? It was already built in and of course a lot of it was from all the hard work we put in and all that grindin’ we was doin’. We delivered a good album to the people and made so it’s something that they want in their life and something that they need, you know what I’m sayin’? That’s why I was able to secure the deal over at Sony with Rick Rubin and 'Hip-Hop'. Now even though my numbers were cool before they should be at least three or four times that because of all the resources that the majors have.

Sixshot.Com: That leads into my next question, which is why you chose to go with Sony? I’m sure you had offers from every single major label out there. What about Sony appealed to you?

Jim Jones: I mean I would say that a big part of my decision was because of 'Hip-Hop'. He worked over at Rocafella and he was very instrumental in a lot of the success that Jay-Z had. He was involved in picking a lot of the music and developing the albums and all that. When I signed my deal I was one of the hottest cats out. I was puttin’ up big numbers and everything and they offered me a great deal. Rick Rubin is also over there and I don’t know Rick that well. I respect Rick a lot though because of what he’s done in the game and the fact that he takes chances.

Sixshot.Com: Another thing I’m curious about is the fact that we’ve been seeing you and Dame Dash a lot together. What role does Dame play in your career?

Jim Jones: I been knowing Dame for the longest time and Dame has done a lot in the game. He’s a veteran and all that. He’s been involved in a lot of historic shit. I’m over here getting this money and making this album so I called Dame up, you know? He knows what he’s doing and I value his opinion.

Sixshot.Com: Jim, I spoke to Freekey about a week ago and he was telling me that you and him are officially running Dipset. Is it a lot different running the show now especially with Cam’Ron out of the picture a little bit?

Jim Jones: I wouldn’t so much say that we’re running Dipset. It’s more about everybody having their business straight at this point, you know what I’m sayin’? Juelz is doin’ his thing and he got the Skull Gang and all that. Freekey got his situation over there at Big Cat with his album so it’s more just a point of the business being straight and us being able to operate on the level we need to correctly. When Cam left it held up some things as far as business so people was playing the waiting game a little bit so like I said before it’s more a issue of us being able to operate properly because all the business is squared away.

Sixshot.Com: Let me ask you this. Can Dipset be as big as it was and even more importantly would you say that it could get bigger?

Jim Jones: I mean you gotta look at it. We never stopped growing, you know what I mean? Look at the situations that poppin’ around us. Juelz is doin’ his thing. He got Skull Gang and his solo projects then on top of that I got my album coming out so it’s a lot that’s happening over here. Who’s to say it can’t get bigger, you feel me? Ya’ll might even see another Dipset album. Imagine that; imagine how big that would be.

Sixshot.Com: You’ve been a dominant figure in hip-hop for a while not. Do you feel that not only the music you make but also your style, the way you dress, and whatnot has changed the hip-hop game to some degree?

Jim Jones: I would most definitely say that I contributed to how hip-hop is moving within the last three years, the last three or four years actually. My music has changed it. The way I dress and my style as well as my lingo has changed it too, you know what I mean? But you know a lot of people have contributed to how hip-hop is moving right now. I’m not saying it’s just me but I definitely got a part in it. You got a lot of cats wanting to dress like Jim Jones right now and acting like they invented it, you know what I mean? (Laughs)

Sixshot.Com: It seems obvious that Cam’Ron kind of distances himself from Dipset and he is considered the boss. When he stepped away was it a lot of pressure not only having to step up but to have people looking to you to run things?

Jim Jones: You know man it’s always going to be some pressure when you have to step up into that situation. I mean you not only gotta step up to take control but you kind of have to fill in for what that person was and that’s some real big shoes to fill. Cam decides to take his little hiatus for a minute so I had no choice but to step up, you know what I mean? I always been a soldier but I knew how to lead and I knew in this situation that I would have to step up to keep the movement going and keep everything strong.

Sixshot.Com: As far as your career goes you’ve steadily progressed from album sales to your profile in the hip-hop game in general. In your opinion how big can Jim Jones get as an artist, executive, and hip-hop figure in general?

Jim Jones: Who knows man? To be completely honest with you I don’t think I’m that big. I mean a few people know me. There’s a lot to achieve as far as the game is concerned from reaching that superstar status to Hollywood and all that. These are all things I got my eye on so I’d say that the sky is the limit, you know what I mean?

Sixshot.Com: One thing a lot of people want to know is, how is the album coming along?

Jim Jones: The album Pray IV Reign will be out in the first quarter. It’s retarded already, you know what I mean?

Sixshot.Com: According to Dame it’s a classic. Would you agree with that statement?

Jim Jones: I mean I’m gonna leave that for the people to decide but it’s full of great music. I think it’s one of my best albums to date. That I could definitely say. I feel real good about it, you know what I mean?

Sixshot.Com: Besides the album is there anything else we should be looking for?

Jim Jones: We got a documentary comin’ soon, you know what I mean? And we got the Byrd Gang album. That’s in the stores right now. Other than that just look for the album Pray IV Reign in the first quarter.

Sixshot.Com: All right Jim, anything you’d like to say to all those Jim Jones fans out there?

Jim Jones: I been layin’ low for a minute but I been pumpin’ out this music and I’m coming back hard and I’m letting ya’ll know that nobody can fuck with it and they know that they can’t fuck with it. I don’t want nobody getting’ shook that I’m comin’ back for that spot but I gotta eat, you know what I mean? (Laughs)