Noa James

Noa James (Born Jamie Wilson) is a West Coast rapper based in the Inland Empire.

Early life

Noa experienced more struggles than most people experience in their entire lives at a very young age ranging from his mother's incarceration after abandoning him, living in an orphanage, the deportation of his father, to the most prolific moment in his life; the passing of his grandfather.^[1]

Music career

Rapping since the age of 13, Noa James began his musical journey as a successful battle rapper who quickly became known for his brutal punch lines and sharp tongue. After 5 years in the battle circuit, Noa realized that he wanted success as an artist and although he was young he knew he had a big story to tell.^[2]

Over the years James' autobiographical rhymes have made him a pioneer in the art of storytelling and although his powerful stage presence and large stature has made him a force to be reckoned with, it is the size of his heart, that has remained most imminent. Not only making a name for himself as an artist, Noa is also widely known as a leading force in Southern California's Inland Empire underground hip hop movement.

Under Black Cloud Music, Noa, along with five other likeminded and passionate artists have been breaking the mold and starting a musical movement that is undeniable and worthy of its growing success. After the release of several independent mixtapes before his Black Cloud affiliation in May 2010, Noa released his first official album on the label entitled Beautiful Darkness, which was well received and respectably noted by both his fans and peers. It was a project of love and labor and showed both sides of James' personality and elaborate mind. Beautiful Darkness is now available in several record stores throughout Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Las Vegas.

In May 2011, James released Intelligent, Elegant, Elephant: Humble Power, a project that generated quite a larger buzz digitally following his anticipated debut performance at a major hip hop music festival, Paid Dues in San Bernardino, California. During this time, James also was featured on the front cover of IE Weekly,^[3] a weekly magazine sister to LA Weekly, followed by his feature on XXL Magazine's The Break,^[4] in early July.

Performances

James has performed at venues large and small often at college campuses in Southern California and Las Vegas. In early 2011, after campaigning heavily for a spot at the Paid Dues festival with the support of fans, James was asked by independent hip hop artist Murs to perform.^[5] James has created a stage for aspiring artists and rappers alike to express their creativity in a positive environment at his weekly open mic event called The Common Ground that's held in Riverside, CA. In early October 2011, James teamed up with The Glass House in Pomona, CA to put on the first D.I.Y. Music and Fashion Festival where local independent artists and clothing vendors gathered together to showcase new and emerging talent.^[6]

In the Summer of 2011, James, along with a roster of indie artists throughout the Inland Empire, embarked on the Humble Power Tour where they toured and performed throughout Southern California.

James hosted the Dues Paid stage at the annual Paid Dues Festival in April 2012 at The National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, CA.^[7][7]

Philanthropy

James also holds various charity events every year to support programs and shelters in the surrounding communities, including his annual "Toys for Tots" event to support Mercy House, a nonprofit organization, as well as food drives to give hope to those in need.^[8]

Discography

• In Blanka Mode EP (2009)
• Sounds of a Monster LP (2009)
• Beautiful Darkness (2010)
• James For the Win Vol. 1 (2011)
• Intelligent, Elegant, Elephant: Humble Power (2011)
• The Adventures Of Young Orca (2013)
• "Fat Boy Love Letter Ep"(2013)
• "Pterodactyl Jones"(2014)

References