Tora Carter Media: Atlanta Photographer

February 10, 2013

Updated Featured Artist | Trinidad James

Since meeting Trinidad Jame$ last spring, I've has the pleasure of watching him take over the world, literally.

Billboard.com states, "Trinidad James is the proverbial hip-hop overnight success story. In a matter of months, the 25-year-old neophyte went from slinging streetwear at a boutique in his hometown of Atlanta to inking a deal with Def Jam Recordings, largely based on the popularity of "All Gold Everything," a single from his debut mixtape, "Don't Be S.A.F.E." The song bowed at No. 47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart last year with help from its eye-popping viral video, which at press time had garnered 3.2 million YouTube views since Vevo posted it exclusively on Nov. 30. (That's in addition to the 6 million-plus views the clip had already amassed via WorldStarHipHop and James' own YouTube page.) The track is now at No. 23 on the chart."

Trinidad James Signs With Def Jam: Exclusive

"Trinidad James has been the talk of the music industry since his hit, "All Gold Everything," arrived months ago. The Atlanta rapper has chosen to sign with Def Jam Recordings, the label's president, Joie Manda, tells Billboard exclusively.

"Def Jam, thank you for believing," says Trinidad James. The signing also includes a joint venture with the rapper's Gold Gang Records. Trinidad is now on the same imprint as Kanye West, 2 Chainz and more.

"We're excited to welcome a young talent like Trinidad James to the Def Jam family," Joie Manda says. "Def Jam prides itself as both a cornerstone of hip-hop's rich tradition, and as a vital, forward-thinking label dedicated to breaking and nurturing emerging artists. Trinidad James represents the cutting-edge of what's happening in the culture today. We are thrilled to have him at the label, and look forward to growing his already massive buzz."

There was much speculation which record label James would sign to, especially after notable record executives were spotted at his NYC show in Dec. 4. Label executives including Def Jam's Joie Manda, Shawn Pecas, Chris Atlas, and Barry Weiss and Atlantic Records' Mike Keyser were amongst those in attendance."

"Capitalizing on the swelling buzz, James headlined his first major New York show on Dec. 4 at Santos Party House. Def Jam, Atlantic and other labels were present, as were Busta Rhymes and A$AP Rocky. Days later, Trey Songz invited James onstage for an impromptu performance of "All Gold Everything" during his headlining show at Madison Square Garden.

"We realized that the sky's the limit; there's a lot of potential. He has so much charisma," says booking agent Peter Schwartz of the Agency Group, which signed James in November. Schwartz and colleague Josh Dick are assembling an aggressive touring schedule for the rapper, with a headlining stint kicking off in February and festivals and European dates following. "The amount of inquiries on him is staggering. We get possibly 50 to 100 inquiries a day."