Life & Work with Jamol James of Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamol James

Hi Jamol, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Trinidad and Tobago to Sanell Dempster and Terrence James who are both musicians (Mom – a singer/songwriter and Dad – producer/engineer). You can say I owe much of my musical development to my parents and having the ability of being around their peers as well as having access to equipment to the studio space to deepen my understanding of my craft. Though music ran my household, at a young age I was determined to break the cliche of doing the same career as my parents and follow in my own footsteps to carve out a path that I can truly call my own. I was ultimately and immediately led to track and field. Eventually I would have gone on to receive a full athletic scholarship at University of Tennessee and later ASU, becoming an Olympian freshman year at London 2012 Olympics and a world championship finalist. Whilst achieving many of my athletic goals, music was never far behind. In fact it was with me every championship I competed in. After graduating from school the act of performing my discipline became more difficult partly due of lack of funds and having access to proper coaching and rehab. In search for the other level of growth in my life, I was blessed with a grad school opportunity at ASU where I am studying MS, Media Arts & Sciences (XR). With this I hope I can help athletes understand their craft and achieve better performances by building AR and MR immersive experiences. Though part of me has changed, here I can be all of me; I am fully able to capitalize on my experiences as an Olympian helping others whilst exploring my musical and entrepreneurship endeavors without restriction.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Finding the right people who are interested in doing their part in seeing the partnership grow steady and consistently. I think this is so because most people especially in music defame their art and allow people to treat it like a hustle as opposed to it being a career you are building.

Staying motivated when you don’t see the result. Keeping up with social media has hurt my brand a lot because I don’t believe in posting everyday or just talking for talking sake. If you’re not careful that’s how you lose yourself because your life revolves around other’s and you have nothing of substance in yours.

Building a base where my music can exist, be timeless and I can create without worry. By worry I mean thinking about what the fans want to hear as opposed to saying that represents me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write and produce my own music as well as for companies located around the world. Currently I produce Caribbean and Afrobeat music since it allows me to be most authentic and fluid within the space that surrounds my culture. I’m most proud about when my music actually connects and resonates with people and I get the intended response.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a very passionate, dreamer, helpful and independent thinker as a young man in Trinidad and Tobago. Things had to make logical sense in order for me to do something. As far as goals go, I always felt like I would be something big. It didn’t matter the field of interest I just thought that hard work was hard work and you could make mountains move if you just stuck to the plan.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intranzit/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUPdXawrjayFBTGe46yswA

Image Credits
Brian Mecinas