Noa James
Encyclopedia
Noa James is a West Coast
rapper based in the Inland Empire
. James is currently signed to independent label, Black Cloud Music.
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, a weekly magazine sister to LA Weekly
, followed by his feature on XXL Magazine's The Break, in early July.
festival with the support of fans, James was asked by independent hip hop artist Murs
to perform.
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.
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.
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
rapper based in the Inland Empire
Inland Empire (California)
The Inland Empire is a region in Southern California. The region sits directly east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Inland Empire most commonly is used in reference to the U.S. Census Bureau's federally-defined Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area, which covers more than...
. James is currently signed to independent label, Black Cloud Music.
Early life
Noa James was born on December 31, 1984 to Haitian parents in Queens, New York. He grew up on the South side of Jamaica Queens, eventually finding his way to Pasadena, CA and San Bernardino, CA. As a young man, 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.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.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
Inland Empire (California)
The Inland Empire is a region in Southern California. The region sits directly east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Inland Empire most commonly is used in reference to the U.S. Census Bureau's federally-defined Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area, which covers more than...
underground hip hop
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
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
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
festival, Paid Dues
Paid Dues
Paid Dues is an annual hip hop festival that took place in California, until the summer of 2007 it was announced that the festival travel to multiple locations.Paid Dues is event presented by Murs 3:16 in association with Guerilla Union....
in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
. During this time, James also was featured on the front cover of IE Weekly, a weekly magazine sister to LA Weekly
LA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
, followed by his feature on XXL Magazine's The Break, in early July.
Performances
James has performed at venues large and small; t often at college campuses in Southern California and Las Vegas. In early 2011, after campaigning heavily for a spot at the Paid DuesPaid Dues
Paid Dues is an annual hip hop festival that took place in California, until the summer of 2007 it was announced that the festival travel to multiple locations.Paid Dues is event presented by Murs 3:16 in association with Guerilla Union....
festival with the support of fans, James was asked by independent hip hop artist Murs
Murs
Murs may refer to:*Murs , American rapper*Multi-Use Radio ServiceFrench communes*Murs, Indre*Murs, Vaucluse*Murs-et-Gélignieux, Ain département*Mûrs-Erigné, Maine-et-Loire département...
to perform.
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
Pomona
Pomona was a goddess of fruitful abundance in ancient Roman religion and myth. Her name comes from the Latin word pomum, "fruit," specifically orchard fruit. She was said to be a wood nymph and a part of the Numia, guardian spirits who watch over people, places, or homes...
, 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.
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.
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.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)
- (Single) Mirrors in the Clouds (2011)