Jim Jones is the first independent artist to take the No.1 spot on Billboard

Jim Jones is the first independent artist to take the No.1 spot on Billboard
Rapper Jim Jones has become the first independent artist to take the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Ringmaster’s Chart, with his smash single “We Fly High...”

The extremely popular ringtone has sold 1.1 million Mastertones, according to Nielsen Ringscan, reaching platinum status after 15 weeks on the charts. The runaway hit has also landed at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B and Rap chart, after 19 weeks. Jones’ latest album, Hustler’s P.O.M.E., remains on top of the Billboard Independent Chart, where it debuted nine weeks ago. At the time of its release, Hustler’s P.O.M.E. took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Rap Chart and the No. 6 spot on Billboard’s Top 200.

On Jan. 24, 2007, Jim Jones will host the grand finale ceremony for the Achieve Your Dreams Poetry Contest at the Magic Johnson Theater in New York City. The contest was conceived by the nonprofit Entertainers 4 Education Alliance to encourage at-risk youth to pursue higher education and their dreams. The contestants were asked to write a poem describing how they will achieve their dreams, like Jim Jones has done with his. The winner will be selected by Jimmy, the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance staff, and a panel of celebrity and music-industry judges. The lucky person will receive a book stipend for their first year of college, as well as an internship with Diplomat Records. “I am very excited about this event,” said Jim. “We received hundreds of poem submissions from students from around the city and narrowed it down to the finalist. I just want students to know that they can be anything they want to be if they believe they can and work hard. I am happy that I can make a difference.”