Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James Artissen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi James , thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As I can remember I knew I wanted to begin a career in music after I had the opportunity to meet the late great Michael Jackson. That sparked the interest, and I continued to sharpen my craft one day at a time. Along the way I met other artists who became my mentors like John Ecstacy Fletcher of Whodini, Kurupt, and a few others.
James , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, and Audio Engineer from Queens, New York. I started pursuing music at the age of 16. During that time period I had the opportunity to meet the late great Michael Jackson at Webster Hall in New York City which inspired me to fully pursue a career in the music business. After that I moved to Atlanta, GA, and attended a music mentoring program in my high school where they provided a recording studio sponsored by Dallas Austin. My initial foray into music consisted of me learning the art of songwriting which later turned into music production shortly after. Growing up I was influenced by artists such as: A Tribe Called Quest, Whodini, Kanye West, Miguel, The Weeknd, and Pharrell Williams. While studying those artists I taught myself how to. To further my education I attended The Art Institute of Atlanta where I received a bachelor’s degree in audio production. This helped me begin working, and place work with mainstream acts, and songwriters. In 2017, I decided to transition from music production to artistry, and began recording myself. I joined a duo group named Kings X2, and we released our debut single “Wine For Me” in september of 2017. The single peaked at #10 on the US Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart for 5 weeks. Later in 2018 we disbanded, and I released my debut solo single “Move” which features the rap group Whodini. Following up to 2019 I released my anticipated EP “Blu Leisure” which became critically acclaimed upon its release. The project included guest appearances from: Tony Terry, Sonna Rele, Kalenna Harper, and Whodini. After its great success I released my sophomore EP “Kaleidoscopes”, and in 2023 I joined forces with rapper Big Gipp of the rap group Goodie Mob to release our collaborative EP “Gipp N Worthy”. The lead single “TOTW” peaked at #91 on the US Billboard R&B Digital Sales Chart also charting at the #1 position on the Amazon Best Sellers Chart. Within all of my work I have been nominated for several Grammy Awards by working with names such as: Meek Mill, Justin Bieber, Robin S., 112, Raphael Saadiq, and so many others to name. In 2024 I launched my own label imprint called Humble Sound Records in conjunction with Sony Orchard.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think it’s the fact that you wake up, and get to do what you love to do mostly everyday without someone telling you what you need to be doing. The icing on top is the world loving your art, and what you created.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn the programming of everyone’s path isn’t the same, and I don’t have to conform with what the world thinks I should be doing. We all have a destiny, and story in this world, but it’s up to you to unlock it, cherish it, and live it to the fullest regardless of the opinions or feedback on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jamesartissen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesartissen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesartissenmusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesartissenmusic/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jamesartissen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamesartissenmusic
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/jamesartissen
Image Credits
Justin Kase
Humble Sound Music Group