Artist of the Month: JustJames

I knew a bit about rapper JustJames going into this interview: we follow some of the same thinkers on Twitter, love many of the same classic hip-hop artists, and exist on a similar political frequency. I’ve hit “retweet” on many of his live bedroom recordings because—are you kidding?—he’s got great lyrical intuition. I always take solace in knowing that, whatever I’ve been trying to do as a musician and bridge-builder on the West Coast, JustJames is holding it down in the East.

But even though he’s an open book, there was a lot I didn’t know. This conversation touches on how he started rapping and how his songwriting process works, but it also dives into some deeply personal topics: how his late father shaped his character and convictions, how his mother narrowly chose not to abort him, how he strives to trust his intuition, and what he believes makes a relationship worth pursuing. 

Watch and listen below. Follow JustJames’s journey by following him on Twitter (@_justjamesmusic) and Instagram (@justjamesmusic). Stream his songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen.