Life & Work with Mitchell James

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchell James.

Hi Mitchell, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My dad was a drummer so I grew up around venues and music my whole life. His dreams really became my dreams and I started playing the drums when I was six. I began songwriting when I was in elementary school. I grew up in Fresno so hip hop was the primary genre that I was exposed to and immediately fell in love with rapping and writing raps.

Lauryn Hill was one of my biggest inspirations as a kid. I was really inspired by the contrast between her singing and rapping. Lootpack, Digable Planets, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Roots were other big inspirations for me early on.

I was a teenager during the blog era which was massive for my career as I was able to see kids my age independently making music, videos, and growing fan bases online. Artists like Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, and Kendrick Lamar were really important figures in my life that showed me this career path was actually feasible. I used to spend hours every day going to sites like Pigeons and Planes, WSHH, and Okayplayer to discover new artists from all around the country who were making noise and disrupting the gatekeeping of the industry.

I joined the military after high school to put some money in my pockets so I can truly pursue a career as a rapper. Once I got out of the military I moved to Colorado for school and hit the ground running with playing shows and releasing records. I quickly built a base of supporters and by the end of my first year out of the military I had headlined some of the biggest venues in my area and had opened for artists I grew up listening to. I really got a taste of how possible my dreams really were.

I was one of the first participants in an open mic in Fort Collins hosted by Murs of the Living Legends, called Groundwaves, which had a huge impact on my career in the mentorship and community which that program provided.

Once I graduated college at Colorado State I decided to move to Los Angeles to broaden my horizons and learn more about the center of the music industry. Since moving to LA, I have played countless shows and met numerous artists who are chasing the same dream that I am. The hustle and grind of this city has really impacted my own drive and focus, as it has opened up new doors and opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had access to.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This game demands resiliency. The best advice I’ve ever received was to start and never quit.

As an artist in this day and age, the biggest obstacle is not letting life get in the way. This game is expensive and requires betting on yourself without second-guessing those bets. You have to unequivocally believe in yourself and be fearless.

The biggest obstacle I’ve had and challenge I’ve had to overcome is being patience. This doesn’t happen overnight, but the small victories along the way make it so worth it.

Outside of music, my life has been riddled with trauma, but I wouldn’t change any of it. That’s my story and the reason why what I have to say is worthwhile.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a rapper. A lot of people who rap don’t like to identify as purely being a rapper, but hip hop is the art form that saved my life and the reason behind everything in my life that I am proud of. Hip hop is the music equivalent to the Phoenix rising from the ashes. Its foundation and history in black culture was built on breaking through and speaking truth to power. I am honored to be participating in such an impactful culture.

I am most proud of the lessons I’ve learned in being a part of this game. The rap game is like an amplified version of the game of life that requires an additional layer of vulnerability. I am also most proud of the songs that I have made that have truly had an impact on people.

My song “Big Kids” was a really vulnerable track for me about my childhood. The response was incredible and it really made me realize the more transparent and vulnerable I am the more of an impact I make. As artists, it’s our job to say or speak to the emotions everyone else is feeling and be vulnerable so others can feel less alone in those thoughts and feelings. I am really proud of that role.

Another project I am really proud of is my song “PB&J” that I made with some of my best friends Trav The Trigger, Duke Shoota, and Honeyboy. We made a video for the song with Marmo Films and I really love the outcome of the collaboration. The song is just a good time and still one of my most listened to.

What sets me apart is my story and perspective. I’ve had a very interesting life that’s been full of loss, pain, and tragedies that are all too common in this world. When I perform live I really try to embody that feeling and show people how grateful I am to be able to tell my story and share those emotions.

What are your plans for the future?
I’ve spent my career until this point working on building a base of supporters and listeners that warrant the release of a debut album where I can really tell my story.

Some of my favorite artists had classic debut albums. Fashawn, Nas, Nipsey Hustle, and plenty more artists made a massive impact with their debut.

I have been working tirelessly for this moment and we are getting closer every day. When I tell my story in my debut, it will definitely be worthwhile and to an audience big enough to make the impact I know I am capable of.

I have also been actively involved in the hip hop nonprofit space which has been very rewarding. UnlearnTheWorld, a dope artist and educator from the Bay Area, who is the executive director for Hip Hop for Change, a nonprofit that teaches youth the foundational principles of hip hop, brought me on as a hip hop educator last year. The work is extremely rewarding and I look forward to the future of building with the organization.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mitchellcanrap
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mitchellcanrap
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mitchellcanrap
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3gXduoHGiwFKxqYkH5YLKR?si=rS4Pnw45Rw2KnE_kE3RmUw