REVIEWS
L.A. sparkplug JimiJames breaks through with her independent debut, The Truth. James asserts her individuality quickly with the double-whammy of the JJ-Fad-meets-Gwen Stefani digipop of “Ther’ He Go,” and the quirkily funky (and surefire hit single) “It Was You” and “Eye Candy” is a warm, sensual lullaby that mixes coyness with longing. James’ eclectic mix of Southern crunk and ‘80s pop is filtered through a complex, confident and defiantly female persona.
–dusty culpepper, Rolling Out
Modern music has had its share of innovative ingénues. From Madonna to Janet to Gwen to Beyoncé, these ladies have done their part to keep folks dancing into the new millennium, all while injecting their music with their own personal identity. Los Angeles native Jimi James is now looking to join that illustrious sorority of sirens. Her debut album, the independently released The Truth, bears the influence of all of those artists, but James is carving her own niche in the pantheon of great artists.
“I’m a huge Madonna and Cyndi Lauper fan, I love Prince, the Police — I’m a total child of the ‘80s,” she says with a laugh. “And I love Missy because of her freedom.”
James has studied ballet, modern dance and gymnastics since childhood, and her vocal talents have always been evident. After studying theater at North Carolina A&T, she returned to Los Angeles to build her recording career. “I decided to start songwriting, and since I had already established relationships from when I was younger, I was in the studio nonstop,” she explains. “From there, I just developed my own style.”
That style is born of her love of ‘80s pop and, since her move to Atlanta, the 21st century’s crunk swagger. Simultaneously theatrical and introspective, Jimi James’ persona is outside-the-box, and as such, she chose to go the independent route to maintain her identity. “I realized that it’s about you as an artist,” she says. “You cannot wait for the [industry] to validate you.”
-todd williams, Rolling Out
The music of JimiJames is fun, confident, honest, vulnerable, erotically sexy, and speaks a truth. Her music is a movement that needs to be experienced.
- Ohso Kool, WHCR 90.3 SugaTreats
– Los Angeles sounds good right about now, cus that’s where jimi stays. her style is something like hip hop smoothed out on the r&b tip with a pop appeal to it (member dat??), but very funky, quirky, raw, stylish, and sexy. i’m excited.
Ok, so this beautiful lady is new to me, but has worked with some amazing people in music and I have NO idea why it took me so long to jump on board. I had the pleasure of meeting Jimi James @ The PPP listening party the other week and was completely drawn in by her soothing spirit and REAL personality. Not one of those fake the funk type chicks. Jimi brings it to you real… weather you want to hear it or not! Some big things are in the works for her, so be sure you check out her page and grab some of that music! It’s bananas..