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Name: Noa James

Age: 26

Reppin’: San Bernardino (Inland Empire)

My style and/or skills have been compared to: An Elephant punching holes in the wall of a funeral home until the dead wake up. And also Royce da 5'9", Sean Price and L.E.G.A.C.Y.

I started rapping: In 1996 after my grandfather passed and my mom caught a 5 year bid in prison; all I had left was the music my grandfather and I shared, which was Bobby Blue Bland and B.B King. I started really listening to them and they inspired me to write and rap about how I feel.

My standout records and/or moments have been: My standout records would be all the tracks off my latest project, I think it's my best work so far. My stand out moment would be performing at Paid Dues 2011, it was the most amazing and unreal thing I've been a part of; another moment would be the release of my first project that went in stores across Cali and out of state.

I’m gonna change the game by: I'm not really worried about changing the game because the music and artists are already getting better. With my music I am very honest and I would hope that it inspires other artist and people to be honest also, even when it comes to something that is embarrassing or something you may typically be ashamed about.

I’d Like to Work With: Jill Scott, Maxwell, Linkin Park, 8ball & MJG, Royce da 5'9", Alchemist, Willie Hutch (if he was still alive), Erykah Badu, N.E.R.D, Lady Gaga; this list can go on.

My goal in hip-hop is: To shed light on the positive things that hip-hop provides. My music isn't always uplifting and peaceful, it can be the rawest and grimest shit you've ever heard, but hip-hop has put me in a position where I can help out my community and make a change. There are plenty of rappers that have nonprofit organizations but no one pays attention to that. I would like to change that.

I’m gonna be the next: Artist to show you that passion and hard work really pays off. And I will be the next artist to say "finally I made it by doing it my way."

To check out more of my music you can go to: My site, Twitter, Bandcamp, or Facebook

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