Trinidad James

Trinidad James
James performing in 2013
James performing in 2013
Background information
Birth nameNicholaus Joseph Williams
Born (1987-09-24) September 24, 1987 (age 36)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websitetrinidadjames.co

Nicholaus Joseph Williams (born September 24, 1987), better known by his stage name Trinidad James (often stylized as Trinidad Jame$), is a Trinidadian-American rapper and songwriter. In December 2012, he signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and released his debut single, "All Gold Everything". The song reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, received platinum certification by the RIAA, and spawned a remix featuring fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I., Jeezy and 2 Chainz. He was dropped from the label in 2014 after failing to promptly record a debut album.

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, he focused on a career in songwriting and production. He has written for primarily female artists such as City Girls, Kehlani, Flo Milli, Queen Naija, and Lakeyah, among others. Trinidad James has co-written songs including Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk", Fifty Fifty's "Barbie Dreams", and Bhad Bhabie's "Hi Bich". He signed with Artist Publishing Group in 2018.

Early life

Nicholaus Williams was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. His family moved to Canada and Florida before settling in the Bronx, New York City. As a child, he went to Catholic school. He has stated he cannot remember any parts of his life before the age of seven because of a head injury. In the eighth grade, he moved to Atlanta, where he began playing basketball. He began rapping in November 2011. He has listed Jay-Z, Cam'ron, T.I., and Young Jeezy as his influences.

Career

In 2012, James released his official debut single, called "All Gold Everything", which charted in the top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was taken from his official debut mixtape, titled Don't Be S.A.F.E. (Sensitive As Fuck Everyday), which was released on July 31, 2012, and officially re-released with a music video on October 16, 2012. On December 13, 2012, it was announced James had signed a record contract with Def Jam Recordings worth approximately US$2 million. In January, Def Jam re-released Don't Be S.A.F.E to iTunes, which included the remix to "All Gold Everything" featuring 2 Chainz, T.I., and Young Jeezy. In the same month as his record deal signing, he made guest appearances on Gucci Mane's single "GuWop Nigga", as well as Wale's eighth mixtape Folarin. In February 2013, he would also make a guest appearance on Def Jam labelmate August Alsina's debut single, "I Luv This Shit", which became a hit on Rhythmic Contemporary radio, reached number thirteen on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number forty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100. This would later mark his final song to reach the latter chart to date. Later that year, he would perform alongside French Montana, ASAP Rocky, and Schoolboy Q for the remix of ASAP Ferg's single, "Work". Both features would receive platinum certification from the RIAA.

In August 2013, he announced and subsequently released his second mixtape, titled 10 PC Mild, through Def Jam and Think It's A Game Entertainment. The mixtape garnered generally mixed reviews, with many considering it an improvement from his previous effort, but praising the slew of guest performers which included Childish Gambino, Travis Scott, Fabo, Cyhi the Prynce, and Gucci Mane. After months of not releasing any new music, James announced that he had been dropped from Def Jam on August 1, 2014. He also indicated that instead of releasing his album through the label, he would make it available for free, and that the producers and rappers who contributed to the project should not expect any compensation because he had "no money." In April 2016, James released the single "Just a Lil' Thick (She Juicy)" featuring Mystikal and Lil Dicky. On December 31, 2016, James released a mixtape "The Wake Up 2" to streaming services such as Spotify and to mixtape websites alike.

On June 9, 2018, James released a single titled "M.M.M. (Marilyn Maryland Marilyn)" to streaming services. The music video, directed by Mike Marasco was uploaded to YouTube on the same day.

On November 27, 2019, in an interview with popular rap talk show "No Jumper", James stated that his current favorite rappers were "Doja Cat and Lil Nas X, I love those guys, partly because their flows remind me of myself" and later in the interview when asked about what his hopes for his current favorite rappers James proclaimed "I would hate to see them quit. You know. The last thing I'd want to see is for them to fall off just like I have."

As of 2018, James is a host on a YouTube talk show, Full Size Run. and he appeared in the Safdie Brothers' film Uncut Gems.

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with year released
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
US
R&B/HH

US Rap
Don't Be S.A.F.E. 103 23 13
10 PC Mild
  • Released: August 13, 2013
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital download
The Wake Up EP
  • Released: January 3, 2015
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format Digital Download
No One Is Safe
  • Released: January 20, 2015
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital Download
Trips to Trinidad EP
  • Released: April 18, 2015
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format Digital Download
Trappy Mother's Day EP
  • Released: May 8, 2016
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital Download
The Wake Up 2
  • Released: December 31, 2016
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital Download
Father FiGGa
  • Released: July 28, 2017
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital Download
Daddy Issues
  • Released: October 31, 2018
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital download
Black Filter
  • Released: August 14, 2020
  • Label: Gold Gang
  • Format: Digital download
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
US
R&B/HH

US Rap
"All Gold Everything" 2012 36 9 6
  • RIAA: Platinum
Don't Be S.A.F.E.
"Females Welcomed" 2013
"Palm Trees"
(featuring Cavie)
2015 Non-album single
"Just a Lil' Thick (She Juicy)"
(featuring Mystikal and Lil Dicky)
2016
  • RIAA: Gold
TBA
"M.M.M. (Marilyn Maryland Marilyn)" 2018 TBA
"Get Up"
(with Lion Babe)
2021 Rainbow Child
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured performer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
US
R&B/HH

US Rap
"I Luv This Shit"
(August Alsina featuring Trinidad James)
2013 48 13
  • RIAA: Platinum
Testimony
"Work (Remix)"
(ASAP Ferg featuring ASAP Rocky, French Montana, Trinidad James and Schoolboy Q)
  • RIAA: Platinum
Trap Lord
"Be Ok"
(Earlly Mac featuring Trinidad James)
2015 Cousin Trap
"Don't Stop"
(LunchMoney Lewis featuring Trinidad James)
2022 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"GuWop Nigga" 2012 Gucci Mane
"That Turn Up" Mike WiLL Made It Est. In 1989 2.5
"Flat Out" Wale Folarin
"Fukk Off" Grip Plyaz, Go Dreamer Purp, Wind & Fire
"Fugginhudumarra" Grip Plyaz, Aleon Craft
"Jackie Joyner"
"M.O.E." (Remix) 2013 Cash Out
"N.I.Y.S." Ducko McFli
"I Can't Wait" Young Scooter
"Who You Rollin' Wit" Mach Five Art of Rap
"No Room" 8Ball Premro 2
"4 My Niggas" Travis Porter Mr. Porter
"My Last Molly Song Ever I Promise" Problem, Gunplay The Separation
"Purple Haze" Curren$y, Lloyd New Jet City
"My Girl Pussy" Bangladesh Ponzi Scheme
"Conversations On That Brown" Scotty Faith
"Game" Scotty, Big K.R.I.T.
"My Trunk" Big K.R.I.T. King Remembered In Time
"Pimp Scholar" Mach Five We Ballin'
"On the Low" Logic, Kid Ink Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever
"Hoodrich Anthem" (HxV Remix) DJ Scream, 2 Chainz, Future, Waka Flocka Flame, Yo Gotti The Ratchet Superior
"Killers" Curren$y
"Groupie" Young Dro, B.o.B Day Two
"Make It Mine" Kirko Bangz Progression III
"FDB" (Remix) Young Dro, DJ Drama, T.I., French Montana
"Pablo" Gucci Mane, E-40 Diary of a Trap God
"Make Ya Scream" Chevy Woods Gang Land 2
"미친놈 (Success Crazed) Feat. Gray, Loco, Simon Dominic & Trinidad James" 2014 Jay Park Evolution
"Uptown Funk" (Remix) 2015 Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Uptown Special
"The Gun" 2016 Cash Cash, Dev, Chrish Blood, Sweat & 3 Years
"Amy" 2017 David Banner The God Box
"Mission" 2019 Jaden Erys

Music videos

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released
Title Year Director(s)
"Gold On My Macbook" 2012 Corey Davis
"All Gold Everything" Motion Family
"Southside"
(featuring ForteBowie)
2013 Decatur Dan
"All Gold Everything" (Remix)
(featuring T.I., Young Jeezy and 2 Chainz)
Motion Family
"Females Welcomed" Jonathan Mannion
"Just A Lil' Thick (She Juicy)"
(featuring Mystikal and Lil Dicky)
2016 Jon J
"M.M.M. (Marilyn Maryland Marilyn)"
2018 Mike Marasco

This page was last updated at 2024-02-18 02:10 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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