Luke James (singer)
American singer-songwriter, musician and actor
Luke James
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James in Brooklyn, 2019
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Background information | |
Birth name | Luke James Boyd |
Also known as | WOLF |
Born |
(
1984-06-13
)
June 13, 1984
(age
39)
New Orleans , Louisiana, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | |
Website |
officiallukejames
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Luke James Boyd (born June 13, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. [1] He began his musical career singing background for R&B artist Tyrese , where he met and was soon mentored for several years by production team The Underdogs with an acquaintance, Quentin, under Luke & Q. He was signed directly to J Records by Clive Davis himself and later wrote songs for musicians such as Chris Brown , Britney Spears , and Justin Bieber . In 2011, James released his first mixtape , #Luke . The mixtape's critically acclaimed single "I Want You" earned him a Best R&B Performance nomination at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards . Like the first project, he released his second mixtape, Whispers in the Dark , as a free music download in 2012. His self-titled debut studio album was released on September 23, 2014. [2]
In August 2017, James released "Drip," which he tapped A$AP Ferg for the remix 3 months later. [3] On Jan 31, 2020, James released his second album "to feel love/d" which marks his return to music following a two-year hiatus to focus on acting. [4] The album was released in partnership with his manager Jonathan Azu 's record label and management company Culture Collective [5] and featured guest performances by BJ The Chicago Kid , [6] Ro James , [6] Big K.R.I.T , [7] Kirk Franklin , and Samoht. On November 24, 2020 "to feel love/d" was nominated in the category of Best R&B Album [8] for the 63rd Grammy Awards.
In his acting career, he starred as R&B singer Johnny Gill in the 2017 TV biopic of R&B sextet New Edition in BET 's The New Edition Story . Since then he's been seen in the Regina Hall and Will Packer film Little , [9] As Noah Brooks in FOX's Star , HBO's Insecure , [10] USA's Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. , [11] and BET's The Bobby Brown Story . [12] He was also featured in the third season of The Chi [13] on June 21, 2020.
Early life and career beginnings
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised by a single mother, James was influenced by an eclectic array of genres, particularly jazz and R&B . [14] James said his love for music started when he watched a contestant perform a cover version of Donny Hathaway 's version of " A Song for You " on Showtime at the Apollo . [14] He said "I got chills. And I get that feeling all over again whenever I think about that performance. At the time, I'd never said I wanted to be a singer; I just knew I wanted to entertain. And I'd never heard of Donny. But when my mother found her copy of one of his records, I knew then that I wanted to reach people that way." [15]
As a child, James was inspired by several recording artists and musicians such as Marvin Gaye , Willie Nelson , Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes , Alabama , among others. [16] He credits his mother for introducing him to all kinds of music. [15] James attended St. Augustine with schoolmate, (and future OFWGKTA member) singer-songwriter Frank Ocean . [16] While in St. Augustine, he joined a musical trio named Upskale with Quinten Spears (known as Q) and Tah for a brief period, which introduced him to his longtime manager, director , and choreographer Frank Gatson. [14] After graduating St. Augustine, the trio split and James relocated to [ data unknown/missing ] , California . Q and James later formed a duo called Luke & Q , where James performed under the name Luke The Singer. [14] Shortly after forming the group, the duo was able to be the opening act for R&B artist and Tyrese Gibson during one of his concerts. However, after the failure to garner both James and Q much recognition, they decided to both part ways.
2007–present: songwriting and breakthrough
After disbanding, James honed his skills as a songwriter, quickly hooked up with producer Danja , and began to craft hits for those in the pop , R&B and soul genres. He also worked alongside Tank . [17] He then began to co-write hits, such as Chris Brown 's " Crawl " for his third album, Graffiti . [14] In addition to writing for Brown, he also wrote (or co-wrote) hits for pop artists such as Justin Bieber (" That Should Be Me "), Britney Spears (" Kill the Lights ") and Keri Hilson ("Do It"). [14]
In 2005, he appeared in Destiny's Child's Soldier video, with the members of the Upskale music trio. In 2011, he was personally selected by R&B singer Beyoncé to appear as a model/actor in her " Run the World (Girls) " music video . [15] In December 2011, he released his debut extended play (EP) album #Luke as a free digital download . His first single, "I Want You", received universal acclaim from critics for its production and for James' vocal performance. [16] The single later earned him a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards . [16] [18] Upon release of his second free digital mixtape, Whispers in the Dark , in December 2012, James began to garner buzz for his formal self-titled debut album, which is expected to be released from Def Jam in early 2014. [16] On January 8, 2013, the album's first single, "Make Love to Me", [19] was released to iTunes one month after the music video directed by Frank Gatson. [20] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards , James was nominated for Best R&B Performance award for his 2012 single "I Want You" (but he lost to Usher 's " Climax "). [21] [22] On February 7, 2013, the song "I.O.U." was released as the second single from his anticipated debut album. [23] In 2013, he was personally chosen by Beyoncé to be an opening act for her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour . [24] In August 2013 he released a video for "Oh God" featuring Hit-Boy; the music video was directed by Sarah McColgan. [25] On December 4, 2013, he released another visual for "Strawberry Vapors", also directed by Sarah McColgan, the song was another release off the Whispers in the Dark album. [26] On December 5, 2014, James received his second career Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Song for " Options (Wolfjames Version)". [27]
In 2016, James auditioned for the role of Singer Johnny Gill in the BET Biopic Miniseries The New Edition Story , after being considered by long time music associate Elijah Kelley . Both were cast in the biopic (with Kelley in the role of Ricky Bell). [28] From 2017–2019, James played Noah Brooks in the main cast of Lee Daniels ' Musical Drama, Star on FOX. Later in 2019, he was cast in Will Packer's Little alongside Regina Hall and Issa Rae .
Discography
- Studio albums
- Luke James (2014)
- to feel love/d (2020)
- For No Reason (2020)
- Mixtapes
- #Luke (2011)
- Whispers in the Dark (2012)
- Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | US Adult R&B Airplay | |||
"Make Love to Me" | 2012 | — | — | m | Luke James |
"I Want You" | — | 97 | 40 | Luke James / #Luke | |
"Oh God"
(featuring Hit-Boy ) |
2013 | — | — | — | Whispers in the Dark |
"
Options
"
(featuring Rick Ross ) |
2014 | — | 28 | 27 | Luke James |
"Drip" | 2017 | — | — | — | For No Reason |
"World To Me"
(produced by Tchami) |
— | — | — | Non-album single | |
"These Arms" | 2018 | — | — | — | For No Reason |
"Amor, My Love" (ft. G.No) | 2019 | — | — | — | Non-album single |
"Breathless"
(with Jude Demorest ) |
— | — | — | Star | |
"go girl"
(featuring BJ The Chicago Kid and Ro James ) |
— | 29 | — | to feel love/d | |
"all of your love' | — | — | — | ||
"blow' | — | — | — |
Filmography
Films
- Rift (as Freddy Davis ) (2011)
- Black Nativity (as Jo Jo ) (2013)
- Little (as Trevor ) (2019)
- Christmas in Harmony (2021)
Television
- 2003 – Half & Half (as " Tyrese 's background singer")
- 2016 – The New Edition Story (as " Johnny Gill ")
- 2017 – Star (as "Noah Brooks")
- 2018 – Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. (as " Sean Combs ")
- 2018 – The Bobby Brown Story (as "Johnny Gill")
- 2020 - The Chi (as Trig)
- 2021 - Genius: Aretha (as Glynn Turman )
Videography
- "4 AM" (2011)
- "I Want You" (2012)
- "Mo' Better Blues" (2013)
- "Make Love To Me" (2013)
- "Love Chile" (2013)
- "I.O.U." (2013)
- "Oh God" (2013)
- "Strawberry Vapors" (2013)
- "Superpower" (2013)
- "Options" (2014)
- "Dancing In The Dark" (2014)
- "Exit Wounds" (2014)
- "Drip" (2017)
- "Run the World" (2011)
- "Go Girl" (2019)
Tours
- BET Music Matters Tour (with Estelle), (2012)
- The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (opening act) , (2013–14)
- Sweet Talker Tour (opening act for Jessie J) , (2014–15)
- to feel love/d tour, (2020)
Awards and nominations
Year | Awards | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best New Artist | — | Nominated | [30] |
2013 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Performance | "I Want You" | Nominated | [31] |
2013 | Soul Train Music Awards | Centric Award | — | Won | [32] |
2015 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Song | "Options" | Nominated | |
2020 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Album | To Feel Love/d | Nominated | [33] |
References
- ↑ Luke James Celebrates His Birthday .The Boom Box. Retrieved June 20, 2015
- ↑ Luke James Reveals Album Cover For Upcoming Debut .Singers Room. Retrieved September 15, 2014
- ↑ New Music Luke James Taps Asap Ferg. Revolt. Retrieved June 10, 2020
- ↑ "Luke James, Ro James, and BJ The Chicago Kid dive into the '90s in "go girl" video" . The FADER .
- ↑ Ifeanyi, K. C. (2020-02-28). "How a 6-year hiatus led to R&B singer Luke James's creative emancipation" . Fast Company . Retrieved 2020-11-18 .
- 1 2 Luke James (Ft. BJ the Chicago Kid & Ro James) – Go Girl , retrieved 2020-11-18
- ↑ Luke James (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.) – Traveling , retrieved 2020-11-18
- ↑ Flanagan, Andrew (24 November 2020). "Beyoncé, Dua Lipa Headline 2021 Grammy Nominations" . www.nprillinois.org . Retrieved 2020-11-25 .
- ↑ "Luke James' 'awkward' strip scene in 'LITTLE' " . www.usatoday.com .
- ↑ Komonibo, Ineye (6 November 2019). "A Definitive Ranking Of Issa's Love Interests On Insecure" . www.refinery29.com .
- ↑ Petski, Denise (March 22, 2017). " 'Unsolved': Luke James, Aisha Hinds & Letoya Luckett Cast In USA's Tupac Shakur Biggie Smalls Pilot" . Deadline .
- ↑ "The Bobby Brown Story" – via www.imdb.com.
- ↑ Grant, Shawn (September 17, 2019). " 'The Chi' Adds La La Anthony, Lil Rel, Luke James to Cast" .
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bio: Luke James" . Island Def Jam . Retrieved March 19, 2013 .
- 1 2 3 "Luke James Bio" . Last.fm. January 15, 2013 . Retrieved January 29, 2013 .
- 1 2 3 4 5 Cline, Georgette (December 30, 2011). "Luke James Admits He Was Once a 'Dirtbag,' Speaks on New EP" . theboombox.com . Retrieved March 25, 2013 .
- ↑ Kellman, Andy. "ALl Music rundown" . AllMusic . Retrieved May 20, 2016 .
- ↑ "Best New Artist Nominees - 2012 Soul Train Awards" . bet.com. October 31, 2012 . Retrieved March 25, 2013 .
- ↑ "Hot Shot: Luke James Unwraps Risqué 'Make Love To Me' Cover" . thatgrapejuice.net. January 9, 2013 . Retrieved March 20, 2013 .
- ↑ "Video Premiere: Luke James – 'Make Love to Me' " . toyazworld.com. December 15, 2012 . Retrieved March 20, 2013 .
- ↑ "Watch: Luke James Visits '106 & Park', Talks Grammy nomination, Beyonce, & More" . thatgrapejuice.net. December 15, 2012 . Retrieved March 20, 2013 .
- ↑ "2013 Grammy Nominations" . BET . Retrieved March 20, 2013 .
- ↑ "Premiere: Luke James' 'I.O.U.' " . vibe.com. February 7, 2013 . Retrieved March 20, 2013 .
- ↑ "BEYONCÉ TAPS LUKE JAMES TO OPEN FOR EUROPEAN TOUR" . April 18, 2013.
- ↑ "New Video: Luke James (Feat. Hit-Boy) 'Oh God' " . 13 August 2013 . Retrieved 18 December 2016 .
- ↑ "New Video: Luke James 'Strawberry Vapors' " . 5 December 2013 . Retrieved 18 December 2016 .
- ↑ "59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees" . Retrieved 18 December 2016 .
- ↑ Wendy Williams (2017-01-17), New Edition Story , retrieved 2017-10-20
- ↑ "Luke James - Billboard Chart History" . billboard.com . Retrieved March 28, 2013 .
- ↑ "Luke James On Sex-Symbol Status, Staying Humble & Soul Train" . centrictv.com . Retrieved March 26, 2013 .
- ↑ "Luke James Remains Humble After Missing Grammy, Readies Debut Album for 2013" . singersroom.com. February 10, 2013 . Retrieved March 26, 2013 .
- ↑ "Soul Train Awards 2013 Winners: Full List" . centrictv.com. December 1, 2013 . Retrieved December 18, 2016 .
- ↑ Shafer, Ellise (March 14, 2021). "Grammys 2021 Winners List" . Variety . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
External links
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Artists |