James Watts
U-N-I
About James Watts
Every so often, an artist emerges from a musical genre, representing something fresh and challenging the very definition of what the word “artist” means in that particular field. Individuals such as this are a rarity in a profession where poor imitations of greatness and lackluster artistry are celebrated year after year. Emerging seemingly out of nowhere less than two years ago, New Jersey native J.A.M.E.S. WATTS has introduced himself as such an individual, spending the greater part of 2006 and 2007 on a quest to make a strong impression on the international music scene, and in turn building upon what it means to be relevant in today’s saturated hip-hop market. Writing rhymes since the age of ten, James Watts grew up on the sounds of some of rap music’s most prolific people, those who aimed to make a definitive statement, whether it violent or political, gangster or revolutionary. Under the influence of his older cousin, a DJ, J.A.M.E.S. began to study albums ranging from Dr. Dre's West Coast opus The Chronic to Nasty Nas' Illmatic. From this, he developed a well rounded idea of what hip hop meant, and began to see it as an art form without restrictions or borders, using its diverse influences to immerse himself in a plethora of other types of music. Of this time in his life, he states, "I was fortunate to be exposed to all of this great music at an early age. I started really loving hip-hop at a time when it was pure, raw, and honest, before it reached the mainstream and became the dominant youth culture. Still, I’m lucky to have been there for that transition, and I watched it grow into what it is today; I think it's still beautiful. I'd like to think I'm a product of both worlds." And having a foot in two worlds is nothing new to J.A.M.E.S. Coming from a racially mixed background, ("I'm a remix," he claims with a laugh. "I have two Black grandfathers and two White grandmothers, so I'm a mix of a mix"), and living in both urban and suburban settings ("my town is a combination of millionaires and people on Section 8...real poverty. I mean, we sit between neighborhoods with multimillion dollar homes and some of the most violent blocks in America….I grew up around millionaires and murderers"), he has always lived with a degree of duality, and it is this experience that he aims to bring forth in his music. In his animated tone, he reveals, "I'm not like other guys who rap, man. I mean, I love the streets. They’re a part of my heart….but I'm not from the block; I’m college educated. I’m coming from a totally different place.” From that place came his debut, in the form of Welcome Home, a collection of 21 tracks showcasing Watts’s talents both as a rapper and a producer; he followed that release up only two days later with his now cult favorite mash-up CD, Summer Vacation, which meshed his own Chicago-inspired musical backdrops with hip hop luminary Kanye West. These two albums, released for free via the internet, propelled J.A.M.E.S. to the forefront of independent music coming out of the tri-state area, gaining him attention from hip hop purists and commercial fans alike. What began as a small bedroom enterprise crept its way across the globe, leading to thousands of downloads from listeners and supporters worldwide. Still, it wasn’t enough to let the young artist and producer rest on his laurels – he went on to put out the critically acclaimed 16-track Shameless Promotion mixtape (a collaboration with New Jersey music collective the Ish Productions), and two now-classic music videos with lauded indie film director Rik Cordero. With a strong buzz in tow, J.A.M.E.S. WATTS took to the road, networking and performing wherever he could be heard – victories in head to head battles lead to open mics, which lead to taking home wins at several top industry showcases, which eventually landed him in front of thousands at venues ranging from college tour stops at The University of Michigan to such storied concert halls as S.O.B’s in New York City. From this, new opportunities arose as Watts began to make a major impact in the unsigned hip hop community – industry executives from companies such as Def Jam, SRC/Universal, Jive and Interscope began to take notice, courting him with deals and offering support to the man they see as having the potential to be one of the leaders of hip hop culture’s new generation. However, never one to compromise his own principles or artistic vision, he says, "I refuse to sacrifice my integrity for monetary success. Unless I do this on my terms, there's no real point. Of course I want to be on TRL.....of course I want to be a millionaire! Who doesn't?!? But I won't try to be someone or something I'm not to get there. I don't knock anyone's hustle, but I have to be me first." Well said. Here's a toast to the future.
Taken from Last.fm
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