James A. Jones Jr. aka “KING James” was born in St. Louis Missouri to Valerie and James A. Jones Sr.. Although his parents were married, they would separate for extended periods of time throughout the vast majority of KING’s childhood. The turmoil at home drove KING to the streets at an early age where he learned the ropes thanks his older brother. Also credited to his brother was the cultivation of KING’s musical talents. Using the motto “perfect your craft” KING’s older brother molded what started as a younger brothers curiosity into the passion inside a twelve year old rapper/song writer with a swagger all his own. “I remember he used to sit there and make me write and recite for hours till I got it done,” says KING.
Due to run-ins with the law and the incarceration of his older brother, KING decided to make a much needed lifestyle change. By the time he was a Senior in high-school KING James decided to focus on education as his ticket out of a poverty stricken community. In December of that year KING took the ACT and scored exceptionally well. He then applied to three colleges and was accepted to all of them. His choice eventually was Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Still fighting legal battles, KING managed to uphold a decent average in school while simultaneously recording several mix-tapes. “I was on papers almost the whole time I was in college!” explains James. Being the person he is KING would not let the adversity he faced weaken his drive. “My mama always told me They set traps for Black males, so I had to stay one step ahead of the system. That’s why I had to keep a few tricks up my sleeve.” That determination allowed him to graduate cum laude with a degree in English. “I think my education helps me better understand the science behind putting words together effectively,” says KING of his Bachelor’s degree.
KING says, “my music is real life. I’m not giving you some juiced up depiction of my upbringing, or an over-extravagant impression of the party scene. Real people do real things, and that’s what I’m about.”
Pimpin In The Parking Lot
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James A. Jones Jr. aka “KING James” was born in St. Louis Missouri to Valerie and James A. Jones Sr.. Although his parents were married, they would separate for extended periods of time throughout the vast majority of KING’s childhood. The turmoil at home drove KING to the streets at an early age where he learned the ropes thanks his older brother. Also credited to his brother was the cultivation of KING’s musical talents. Using the motto “perfect your craft” KING’s older brother molded what started as a younger brothers curiosity into the passion inside a twelve year old rapper/song writer with a swagger all his own. “I remember he used to sit there and make me write and recite for hours till I got it done,” says KING.
