Former Jay-Z business partner Damon Dash believes Harlem rapper Jim Jones has a hit on his hands with this next solo album.

As SOHH previously reported, Jones inked a lucrative deal with Columbia Records last year and longtime associate and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash believes the Dipset Capo's major label debut may just be a "classic."

"He actually put together a pretty decent album, I think, better than the average and what people expected," Dame told Hot 97 personality Peter Rosenberg in a recent interview. "He's a pretty respected dude and he has a lot of swagger. I'ma be helping my man Jim out trying to take him as a brand and making sure he gets to capitalize off that." [Watch below]

Dash grew up with Jones and said he's known the Byrd Gang front man since Jimmy was six years old. But he hasn't always been so supportive of Jim's career.

"I told Jim not to rap because he's not a rapper," Dash admitted. "I looked at him like a business man. But he has enough swagger and personality to pull it off."

Jim Jones is currently working on his fourth studio album, the follow up to 2006's Hustler's P.O.M.E (Product of My Environment) which scored with the infectious hit single "Ballin."

"Through his practice and his relentless assault on making music, a record every day, he actually got pretty good," Dame said. "So his new album, I think he might have come up with a classic, and that's me saying that."

According to Dame, Jim has two movies in the works, a book and a Byrd Gang album coming out in June, in addition to his solo project on the way.

"I'm proud of him, for real," Dame said.

[For more on your favorite New York rappers peep SOHH NYC]