User:StJamesIII

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St James III

Background information
Birth name James Arthur Lumpkin, III
Born November 28, 1966 (1966-11-28) (age 41)
Origin United States
Genre(s) R&B, Contemporary R&B, Hip Hop Soul, Dance
Occupation(s) Executive Director: Qasas Multimedia International, LLC
Years active 1987 - Present
Label(s) Zelma Records
Associated acts Ginuwine, Russ Parr, Robert Townsend, Free, Soundproof Band, Pablo, EZ Street
Website http://www.stjamesiii.com/

James Arthur Lumpkin, III, (born November 28, 1966)[1]. better known by his stage name St James III, is an American Entrepreneur, Musician, Artist, Director and Photograher.

Executive Director of Qasas Multimedia International, LLC[2] since the mid-90's, St James III has produced a number of websites for high profile recording artist, radio personalities and non-profit, non-partisan political organizations.

Contents

[edit] Biography

St James III (affectionately known as “Jimmy” to family and friends) graduated from Suitland Senior High School in Forestville, Maryland in 1986. He later attended Prince Georges Community College in Largo, Maryland majoring in Accounting and Taxation.

James took an interest in music early on in life. He would constantly play the piano his parents bought shortly after the family moved into their first home. His fascination with music grew even more as his Godfather “Sunny” Jim Kelsey (“Local Television Personality/Radio Disc Jockey “Spread a Little Sunshine” – Gospel TV Show airing in Washington DC during the 70’s and WOL (AM)) would give him the extra promotional records he obtained from DC Radio Legend “Petey Greene” and other staff from Radio Station 1450 WOL (AM).

In those days James was painfully shy (in sharp contrast to his younger brother who would later become the multi-platinum R&B star Ginuwine)[3] and would rarely leave his bedroom where he would listen and study the music of Motown, Stax, Philadelphia International, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, all provided by his Godfather.

During and after high school James would take trips to New York City and attend events like the "[[New Music Seminar]” with no goals of being discovered as a musician or producer but merely as an observer. It was enough for him to satisfy his fascination with music scene as an observer and to play music and “beats” he created at home just for reactions. It was not uncommon for him to play homemade beats on his boom box for the likes of everyone from Diddy (Sean Combs) and Busta Rhymes to underground rappers like King Sun and Ultramagnetic MCs, before they were household names, just for a reaction or as backdrops for street corner freestyle sessions. Then he would simply just leave…satisfied.

When he returned home from his trips he would handle music chores for his younger brother’s breakdancing turned singing group Finesse Five providing “megamix” tapes when they danced and “show tapes” when they later turned to singing. Ultimately the group disbanded with James and his brother pursuing music together until Ginuwine’s eventual meeting with Jodeci’s Devante Swing and signing to Devanté’s Swing Mob Records along with Missy Elliot and Timbaland. Before that signing, James released his first 12” project with his brother.

After losing a job with the US Government (He cleaned offices in the Russell Senate Office Building at night while attending college during the day), James would spend his unemployment benefits on studio sessions for his brother and other projects he dreamed of doing. James was able to get airplay for Ginuwine’s first ever “released” single entitled “I Want You” on his Godfathers old radio station WOL AM, which would now be owned by Radio One (company)’s Cathy Hughes. “The Big Brother Konan” and “The Moonman” would often play the single much to James and Ginuwine’s surprise. Because of this record the brothers were even featured in the nationally distributed Rap Masters / Word Up! Magazine.

There were many ups and downs during the brother’s pursuit to break Ginuwine into the music business. As Ginuwine’s career languished with Devanté Swing and finally flourished with Sony Music, James would continue to just record and “have fun” and express himself with his music. He would eventually discover the internet and make the decision to make a living with web design and computer graphic work. After creating websites for #1 rated afternoon drive jock EZ Street and Morning Show host Russ Parr of 93.9 WKYS FM, the demand for his services grew particularly from celebrities and sports figures. He would go on to do work for the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Gregory Allen Howard (Writer of “Remember The Titans starring Denzel Washington and Ali starring Will Smith), The O'Jays, Mathew Knowles (Father and Manager of Multi-Platinum recording artist and actress Beyoncé), Legendary filmmaker Robert Townsend, reality star Omarosa, The Congressional Black Caucus, Bad Boy recording artists B5 and many more.

The music never stopped however. Before the pursuits into the music business with his brother, James was an accomplished DJ, being one of the first DJ’s in the DC area to perform turntablist tricks in clubs and house parties. James stopped DJing cold after his first cousin was nearly stabbed to death repeatedly in front of him at a party he DJed. He would later do CD artwork and tracks for close friends trying to break into the music business.

James withdrew into a deep depression after the untimely passing of many family members and friends (Both Parents, Two Uncles, Grandmother, Godfather and four friends). Years later he would face the public with his music again but as a keyboardist this time for “Soundproof Band”. Soundproof would do shows weekly opening up for the likes of the SOS Band, John Legend, Destiny’s Child and other national acts. Of course there were many gigs with fellow GoGo artists like the legendary Godfather of GoGo Chuck Brown, Rare Essence, EU, Familiar Faces and Suttle Thoughts as well.

GoGo legend “Little Benny” became a regular in James’ band every Thursday at the popular DC bar/club Takoma Station Tavern. James has since split from Soundproof Band and is now concentrating on filmmaking and at long last revamping/completing his “dream” project he started over 10 years ago, the DualDisc album “Pillow Talk” with the accompanying music documentary film “BioVent: The Biography, Music and Opinions of St James III”. James is also currently providing web services for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

[edit] Trivia

  • St James III is the older brother of multi-platinum recording artist Ginuwine
  • St James III's very first music video appearance ever was as an extra in the video for popular DC area DJ/Rapper DJ Kool's regional hit single "Reggae Dance". This 1988 single was a bonafide radio hit in the Washington DC area.
  • St James III produced the first "official" website for an urban radio personality in the Washington DC market in 1995. This particular website was for EZ Street, the afternoon drive personality for Radio One (company)'s 93.9 WKYS FM in Washington, DC
  • St James III is credited at the end of the direct to DVD Warner Home Video release "The Last Stand - The Drama of Comedy" for Internet Marketing. This film starred Anthony Anderson, Kevin Hart, Guy Torry and Darrin Henson. The Last Stand was directed by nationally syndicated radio host Russ Parr.[4]

[edit] Discography

Year Title
1989 Let Me - 12" Single featuring "Reign"
1990 I Want You - 12" Single featuring "Ginuwine"
1990 Project X (E.P.)
2008 Pillow Talk/BioVent (CD/DVD Album and Documentary


[edit] Awards & Honors

[edit] St James III's Past and Current Clients

  • Russ Parr
  • Free (Formerely of BET's 106 & Park)
  • B5 (Bad Boy Recording Artists)
  • Emmel Communications (Violator Management Booking Arm)
  • EZ Street (93.9 WKYS FM in Washington DC)
  • Cayman Kelly (XM Radio)
  • Shaq
  • The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc
  • The National Urban League
  • The Lincoln Theatre (Washington DC)
  • Omarosa
  • The O'Jays
  • Mathew Knowles
  • Rick Party
  • Robert Townsend

[edit] References

  1. ^ St James III Official Site.
  2. ^ Qasas Multimedia International, LLC.
  3. ^ Ginuwine Official Site.
  4. ^ The Last Stand - The Drama of Comedy (Warner Home Video).

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME StJamesIII
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Lumpkin, James Arthur (real name)
SHORT DESCRIPTION Entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH November 28, 1966
PLACE OF BIRTH Washington, D.C.
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH