Serius Jones isn’t your average artist. After clawing his way to the top of the battle circuit, conquering 'Fight Club', and making a huge amount of DVD appearances, he is now signed to DTP/Def Jam, two of the most successful labels in hip-hop.

Serius balances raw lyricism with an uncanny ability for crafting good music. One of few New Jersey MC’s making an impact right now, it’s fair to say that Serius is at the front of the pack in terms of new artists.

Serius sat down with Sixshot.com to discuss his political aspirations, DTP, and exactly how big he is going to get.

I remember watching you battling, and you always seemed real non-chalant, like it came easy.

Man, that shit is two years old. A lot of people still watch it because it’s classic. I try to make everything I do classic. I did it for exposure. Now I’m focused on bringing myself worldwide. It’s time to show why I am where I am.

Did you enjoy the battling and being on all the DVD’s and everything?

Yeah, I make sure I have fun with it. It’s not gonna be a strain because I don’t like doing things I'm not good at. I enjoy working and all the work I put it.

Needlz discovered you, right?

Nah, basically Needlz is the first person I made music with. I discovered me. He was the first pro ducer I really got it in with. I made songs. That was like five years ago. Really, Needlz is more fam than anything.

What artists influence you musically?

The great artists that made an impact. I’m an impactful dude. If I walk into a room, you’re gonna know I’m there. All the greats, all the names that you can think of. I will be amongst them, as long as I have air in my lungs.

Did you have a lot of deals on the table?

There’s only 4 major records labels left. I mean basically I had an offer from every label you could name. I knew what I needed and wanted and knew there wasn’t stuff I was even going to entertain. I ended up with a multi-million dollar deal.

My deal is worth millions but I don’t talk about that because it’s not about that. Now it’s time for me to have millions, not just the deal, I want it in my bank account.

What made you go with DTP?

They had a track record. They have a track record of putting albums out. There aren’t many artists on DTP that can say they didn’t get a shot. And plus I’m DTP/Def Jam.

There’s a lot of people over there that if they understand what I’m trying to do, that can make it happen. I just felt it was cool to go and have that machine behind you.

The street album, King Me, was hot. Where were you trying to go with that?

I was just tryna give people a collection of my music. King Me basically was like, I made so many moves, I treated the game like a checker board and now I’m here, so 'King Me'.

I mean I have so much music. I have hundreds of songs but I’m not going to put anything out that isn’t up to par with what’s out today. I didn’t even promote that album as much as I should have and I sold 10,000 in months. I got 300 g’s in downloads, 60 or 70 thousand downloads. That’s shows you the power of the Internet.

You’re real lyrical. Do you feel lyricism is a lost art?

I think real music is a lost art. I’m not a lyrical miracle backpack rapper where I’m saying this just to try to be lyrical. I’m from the streets. My music speaks to the struggle. I just happen to be lyrical.

I don’t want to give you dry food, I put seasoning on it, and I spice it up.I mean really I think people gotta have a real life to talk about.

The past year and a half I had surgery, I bailed people out of jail, I been going through legal shit. It’s a unique situation because I’m famous but I’m still around the way. I’m in the same environment in terms of how I’m living.

I’m putting out a DVD because people got to see how I live. It’s either going to be called Life is Serius or Small Town Hustle. They could get to know who I am. 

How do you feel about the state of hip-hop today?

I think it’s two extremes. White media wants to make it like it’s detrimental to the growth of the youth and all that. But at the same time’ its celebrated. Black culture has always been what’s cool, from the fashion, to the music, just to the way we move. Technically, hip-hop runs the world.

What can we expect from your major label debut?

Classic shit man. If I don’t achieve that then I’m not reaching my goal. I mean, I gotta show that my confidence is not arrogance; I guess it’s a thin fucking line. I mean people just need to hear me before this album drops, google me, do whatever you gotta do.

A lot of music is so microwave now and ringtoney. You can’t have longevity like that. I’m gonna show you who I am. It’s gonna be historical and I can promise that because if it’s not I wont put it out.

Any artists you want to collab with?

A lot man. Kanye, I mean I basically wanna fuck with the greats. I mean I got the go ahead for a lot of your favorite MC’s on my album already but I just cant say yet. I just don’t want too many features because it could be considered a cop out. The classic never had a lot of featured from Illmatic, to Ready To Die. I wanna show you who I am.

Where do you see yourself in the game 5 years from now?

Um, definitely rich. Respected as far as black culture goes. I want to get into some political things to help uplift my community. I want to take my writing to a different level, you know, and get my Ice Cube on, films and stuff.

Anything you want to say to the fans?

Listen, I appreciate all the fans. I been hibernating but bear with me, puns intended (Laughs). By the time you read this I’ll have 4 or 5 new songs out. And also, interact with me.

If you feel like I’m not doing something right let me know. Check me out at http://www.myspace.com/seriusjones and Lifeisserious.com.  I’m gonna make sure hip-hop lives forever.