It’s been a long time coming for CEO Jim Jones. He’s usually on the grind managing the day-to-day operations at Diplomat Records, which includes; Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and new artists J.R. Rider and Un Casa. In the last few years Jim Jones has been hard to ignore as he became more visible as an artist through mixtapes and the release of “Cam’ron Presents The Diplomats” in 2003. These days Jim Jones has more ghetto stories to tell. Strapped with a new distribution deal with Koch Entertainment for Diplomatic Man Records, the head capo in charge is ready to drop his solo debut album.

MahoganyGirl: What’s really good Jim Jones?
Jim Jones: Everything is Good.

MG: The “Cam’ron Presents The Diplomats” album came out on Diplomat/Rocafella/Def Jam so tell me about the current Diplomats deal with Koch Entertainment?
JJ: We’re still doing our thing with Rocafella but this deal with Koch is a distribution deal on a mixtape type of thing.

MG: What are the major differences between the two deals?
JJ: More Money. The majors be jerking you. The money is there but you got to work a lot harder to get ya paper. With this deal the money is a lot better in the long run.

MG: Your debut album “On My Way To Church” drops soon. What topics are you touching on?
JJ: I’m talking about all types of shit on this album. I got raunchy songs and songs for the ladies. Songs for the good ladies and gangsta shit. I’m speaking on my niggaz in the hood and on some political shit too. Everything I write about is truthful. I’m talking to my niggaz selling drugs that have no choice. Not saying it’s an excuse but sometimes that’s all you can do to take care of your family. I’m just speaking on the whole crab in the barrel mentality.

MG: Speaking of politics. Who are you voting for this year?
JJ: I don’t really fuck with the voting. I don’t wanna sound like a hypocrite. I would vote Bush out if they had a vote for that. I think Bush is a fucking dickhead.

MG: [Laughs]…What about John Kerry?
JJ: I aint really with that shit. I’m with whatever has to do with getting Bush out.

MG: Alright back to the album. As far as production goes who did you work with on the album?
JJ: I work with Heatmakerz and a some other cats. I’m not your typical artist I like whatever I like. I hear a beat and if I like it I use it so I worked with a lot of new cats.

MG: You’re usually behind the scenes was it hard for you to step into the artist role?
JJ: I’m not the most talented when it comes to the music but I got a message I wanna put out there for people that have been through what I’ve been through.

MG: How are you handling your CEO duties right now?
JJ: I told them I want everything right with this album, so I aint doing no business until the album drops on August 24th.

MG: The song “Certified Gangsta” was on the Diplomats Volume five mixtape but it ended up being your first single. How did that come about?
JJ: I heard the beat and I liked it. I just did the shit and put it out. It wasn’t suppose to be on the radio. I made that song for my niggaz that like to get high while they ride you know. It’s wasn’t suppose to be a single.

MG: How did The Game get on the track?
JJ: I read about him when he was in a magazine with Juelz. I was feeling his flow and his gangsta. He was real with his shit. My homies told me I need to get him on a track.

MG: I saw you in Lil Flips video showing off your tattoos. You been working out? [Laughs]
JJ: [Laughs] Nah, I was just out in Miami walking around and just showed up at the video. I was about to go buy a ride that’s why I had all that money in my hand.

MG: You recently had a son right?
JJ: Yeah, Little Capo status.

MG: What’s his name?
JJ: Joseph Jones.

MG: Is it hard to juggle family when you’re albums about to drop?
JJ: I ain’t even gonna front the shit is hard. Going on tour and being away from home a lot but I try to see him as much as I can.

MG: You recently launched the Sizzurp Purple Punch liquor. How did that come about?
JJ: I was in the right place at the right time. We had a chance to make a drink that we would want to drink so we made the Sizzurp.

MG: How would you describe it?
JJ: It’s like grape cool-aid.

MG: What’s next for the Diplomats?
JJ: We got J.R Rider Coming. Then Un Casa, Cam’s album and then Juelz. We got a movie coming, and a clothing line on the quiet is kept. And we’ll be out on tour soon too.

MG: Any last words?
JJ: Shout out to the Westside.

- [ LS ] -