Jim Jones

Fortitude, ambition and creative business tactics are at the forefront of Jim Jones’ career. The enigmatic Diplomat CEO and entrepreneur spent the past decade designing an empire that will solidify his place in Hip Hop history and beyond.

After continued success with his Dipset crew and his Diplomat Record label, Jim’s solo album, On My Way To Church, debuted at #18 on Billboard Top 200 in August 2004, and has sold over 200,000 copies independently to date. The videos for the first single, “Certified Gangsta”, and second single, “Crunk Musik”, have received consistent airplay on both BET and MTV. Jim Jones is also exceedingly popular in the fast-paced world of mix-tape releases.

Building upon successes from his record label to his new alcohol brand, Sizzurp, Jim Jones is preparing to release a new Documentary Film, currently titled THE JIM JONES PROJECT, which presents a candidly-told cautionary tale of a “gangsta” rapper in transition. A purposeful message in the documentary is intended to act as a deterrent for the self-destructive behaviors of at-risk youth who have taken the bravado of “gangsta” rap to heart.

Bronx-born-but Harlem raised, Jim Jones knew all to well at a very early age what the streets had to offer. While he experienced his share of trouble growing up in Harlem, he was fortunate enough to escape anything that would cause him to wind up as another statistic in the concrete jungle.

In addition to his many ventures, Jim Jones is also gaining respect for his role as a music video director winning several music award nominations. He created the vision behind several videos for Dipset emcee Cam’ron including “Oh Boy”, “Hey Ma” and “Get Em Girl/Killa Cam”, State Property’s “When You Hear That”, as well as his own popular “Certified Gangsta” and “How G Is This” videos.

Jim takes his ability to influence the world at large very serious, he continues to search for new ways to find social and political growth while progressing within the Hip Hop culture. Currently, Jim is an active participator in Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit, The Andre Neal Foundation as well as the South East Queens Action Network for Public Schools, all which focus on building and strengthening the community through it’s youth, educating them on politics and teaching them how influential their voice is.

Even his pursuit to bring the ideals of gangsta rap to the world with his Documentary Film, Jim makes it clear that he is no way advocating a movement toward it. “My advice for younger people is: Please don’t try this shit at home. There’s a difference between a gangsta and a gangbanger - a gangbanger is very ambitious, he has a fiery heart. When he knows how smart he is, he’ll turn into a gangsta. A gangsta becomes a businessman, because with power you gotta show restraint - you only show that power when your back is against the wall and people force you to come out swinging.” - Bio courtesy of Tygereye Entertainment

Along with fellow Harlem-based player Cam'ron, Jim Jones founded the Diplomat label, home to the Diplomats/Dipset and many of that crew's prolific solo activities. Though more of a businessman and behind-the-scenes figure than an MC (he was also named a director of AR at Warner Music Group in early 2005), Jones released solo albums in 2004 (On My Way to Church, which hit the Top 20 upon its August release) and 2005 (Diary of a Summer). Andy Kellman, All Music Guide