UK rapper Piers James’ musical journey started traditionally enough. Growing up playing the piano from a young age, he undertook the modern day rite of passage or learning to use Fruity Loops, Cubase and Reason which led him to properly explore and experiment with a variety of different sounds.
With a budding taste for production that was shaped by artists such as The Neptunes, Timberland, Ryan Leslie, Pete Rock, Nas and A Tribe Called Quest, this in turn created James’ own signature 90’s boom-bap style: one that’s quickly becoming his calling card with smooth, dream-like hooks matched with a laid-back, confident delivery.
With support from Huw Stevens on Radio 1 and warm up slots for Ghostface Killah over the past couple of years, his latest EP Vibes & Tribulations arrived with an added air of expectation.
There are elements of soul and jazz at work, whilst he is searingly honest with his lyricism, describing the EP as “a journey expressing how I perceive the world through my own perspective.”
Following on from Vibes & Tribulations, Piers shares his latest visuals for Blues directed by himself and Reece Selvadoori and choreographed by Esther Howard. Check it below and catch Piers supporting the legendary Masta Ace at Jazz Cafe on Saturday 8th April.
