Author: Cory McClanahan

Ive seen Noa James grind for over the past 2 years.  The 26-year-old San Bernardino native Noa James started rapping fifteen years ago after his grandfather passed, and has since been honing his skills, kicking a balance of uplifting and gritty rhymes… XXL just did an interview with the Mc. Name: Noa James Age: 26 Reppin’: San Bernardino (Inland Empire) My style and/or skills have been compared to: An Elephant punching holes in the wall of a funeral home until the dead wake up. And also Royce da 5’9″, Sean Price and L.E.G.A.C.Y. I started rapping: In 1996 after my grandfather passed and my mom caught a 5 year bid in prison; all I had left was the music my grandfather and I shared, which was Bobby Blue Bland and B.B King. I started really listening to them and they inspired me to write and rap about how I feel. My standout records and/or moments have been: My standout records would be all the tracks off my latest project, I think it’s my best work so far. My stand out moment would be performing at Paid Dues 2011, it was the most amazing and unreal thing I’ve been a part of; another moment would be the release of my first project that went in stores across Cali and out of state. I’d Like to Work With: Jill Scott, Maxwell, Linkin Park, 8ball & MJG, Royce da 5’9″, Alchemist, Willie Hutch (if he was still alive), Erykah Badu, N.E.R.D, Lady Gaga; this list can go on. My goal in hip-hop is: To shed light on the positive things that hip-hop provides. My music isn’t always uplifting and peaceful, it can be the rawest and grimest shit you’ve ever heard, but hip-hop has put me in a position where I can help out my community and make a change. There are plenty of rappers that have nonprofit organizations but no one pays attention to that. I would like to change that. Breakout: “Humble Power” featuring Faye Valintine