Meet Damien James

Today we’d like to introduce you to Damien James.

Hi Damien, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
I started off in a foster home writing music as a way to escape the crazy childhood trauma I endured as a young kid. I started off rapping for the older kids in my neighborhood after listening to a lot of early 2pac, G-Unit, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. As time progressed, I would form many groups and rap at many parties until one day, around 12-13, I started recording music and making a name for myself.

I remember for years on end; I would stand outside and wait til my set time was up, then go into the club perform and have to leave immediately after because I was not of age yet. Using the buzz from the local shows I was doing with the Big Fish Pub, Club Red, and The GoatHead, I was eventually put on to Respect The Underground by then D.N.A. crew member Supa Que.

From there I did a lot of shows and HipHop Festivals with Justus and Felix as the promoters and grew some fanbase and some reputation for a good stage show. I later on went to drop an Album called “Better Luck Next Time,” which garnered my first time charting on Itunes for preorders of an album it was as high as number 3 at one point, and the release party was thrown, and promoted by me, and we sold it out and even got written about in The Phoenix New Times!

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?
No, it’s been very tough and bumpy, but I prefer it this way! The biggest struggle for me was not letting ambition get in the way of progress. Also learning who to keep around you can also be extremely important. Money is the biggest struggle and the most reoccurring. It takes money to make it, and making money and pursuing greatness doesn’t always go hand in hand.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am primarily known as a rapper/singer and I feel like I specialize in just pure rapping ability and songwriting for any genre. Most people don’t know this, but I have written for many artists across different genres, and nothing makes me more proud than that!

My knowledge and execution of many styles of songwriting is what sets me apart i feel like I can listen to a genre for a while and completely break down and understand the key elements of what it takes to write a song in that particular style!

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It’s not about the timeline you set. It’s about the work you put in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tragedy602/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tragedy602/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TragedyOfficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkz6iyVYCVueHEORzppxLw

Image Credits
Jordan Yates