B James is a hot and versatile artist bubbling on the Atlanta entertainment scene, creating music, spoken word poetry, painting, drawing, and more. Born in Alabama’s music capital, Muscle Shoals, and raised on the Southside of Atlanta, GA, this artist is cultured, well-traveled, and strongly connected. “Do it Done” and “Balling Hard ” are B James’s two major performance pieces from Blue’s Garden, his latest project that is currently streaming across all platforms. During his exclusive interview with Hip Hop United, B James detailed his new album, creative process, and inspirations that keeps him invested in his artistry.
Blue’s Garden: An Ode to B James’s Foundation
Blue’s Garden is a 13-track album depicting how B James was raised and underscoring the foundational influences that molded who he matured into. Blue was his father’s nickname, and the garden is a metaphor for being one of many seeds that his militant father nurtured and watered out of pure love.
The project takes the listener on a journey of being raised as a country boy in Alabama and then transitions to the ATL scene, illustrating how B James learned various life lessons. Listening to Blue’s Garden also gives romantic vibes, as B James articulates the way he feels about how women should be appreciated and valued. Nevertheless, his songs for the ladies detail positive ways about how men properly treat women and love them.
The Creative Process
B James is described as an eclectic artist, and rapper Common is often the reference for his style. He is a spoken word master and poetry-based lyricist who can flow on any type of beat, as well as rap and freestyle acapella. Music has always been a serious venture for B James; however, the past 4 years have been foundational in his career as a recording artist. He dedicates his time to working hard in the booth, investing in his projects, and fine-tuning the quality before presenting it to his audience.
The creative process begins from within B James’s essence, as he grounds within his own energy before all else. If he’s the first artist to perform, he sets the tone with his frequencies–both vocally and with his demeanor. Once he feels out the energy in the room and receives the beat, he becomes the vibe in the room–serenading the ladies, building with the gentlemen, and speaking wisdom into the ears of every listener.
As a fashion connoisseur, B James Incorporates his unique style with other cultures’ customary garbs. He spent most of his career traveling as a Claims Adjustor and met great people from diverse backgrounds who have stories to tell. He continued, “I also want to cater to being a gentleman too; because as men, we’re not represented properly and we’re not representing properly, as what it should be to be a man, especially a Black man in today’s world.” With his fashion and music styles, B James parallels the message of Jidenna’s “Classic Man.”
Musical Inspirations
Music inspirations include B James’s parents, who sang in weddings, their church choir, and in their home daily. While in high school, his brother’s friends made beats in band class and he stole their beat CD. They were fresh and included samples from greats, such as Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson, so he popped in the CD and recorded himself. After hearing the 2 bars that he laid down, he got excited and hasn’t stopped writing, performing, and recording since that day.
Bucket list collaborations include Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick, J. Cole, Andre 3000, and CeeLo Green. B James explained, “I think these artists are not just people that you can do music with, but you can also learn from. Whether it’s learning life lessons from, learning the industry, and learning how to stay on top of it… so it can turn into a beautiful friendship. So not only do I look at the craft and how they do their music and present their art, but I’d be interested in the friendship too.” When put on the spot, he said that Gunna, Kodak Black, and Drake are on his top 3 list for artists who are crushing it right now.
Upcoming Power Plays
Focusing on his craft and pushing himself as an all-around artist is B James’s priority as he expands his music catalog, takes marketing to the next level, develops more merchandise, and curates art events. Blue’s Garden is available across all streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify. Follow B James’s Instagram handles to stay updated on performances, art shows, appearances, and other events: @brian_jallen and @ink.abt.it (artistry page).
