J. Williams (singer)

Joshua Elia Williams (born 3 September 1986), known by his stage name J. Williams, is a New Zealand R&B recording artist and professional hip-hop dancer. He made his musical debut in 2008 with the hit single "Blow Your Mind" which gained him success on the New Zealand Singles Chart, peaking at number 13. In early 2009 Young Love his debut album was released with the single "You Got Me" featuring Scribe reaching number one. The single was certified platinum and was the #1 selling single of 2010 in New Zealand.

Biography

Joshua Elia Williams was born on 3 September 1986. His father is of Samoan descent and his mother of Fijian descent. He attended Weymouth Intermediate School in Weymouth, South Auckland and attended James Cook High School in Manurewa.

He compares his upbringing to that of the Jackson 5 family, as his father was very strict when it came to devoting oneself to religion and music.^[1] Williams' has two younger sisters Keziah Williams and Ezra Williams and two older sisters, Emily Williams and Lavina Williams, who have both entered Australian Idol.

Williams was a member of the hip hop street dance group originally called Dziah (now known as Prestige). In 2006 Dziah represented New Zealand at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, held in Los Angeles, U.S.. They came in second place to the current champs, the Philippine All Stars and took home the silver medals. In 2008 at the same competition, this time as Prestige, they came in fourth place, narrowly missing out on bronze medals.

Williams ended a two-year relationship his partner, Larissa Brown shortly before the birth of their child Ryder. Friends knew the relationship was unhealthy often seeing Williams and Brown arguing in public. Police had been called around to their Mount Wellington, Auckland home, because of the arguments. Larissa went to the press when J decided to end the relationship, which resulted in a Press frenzy with mixed allegations of abuse caused and fueled by alcohol.^[2] Women's Refuge condemned his behaviour and the fact he was not accepting his responsibility, instead blaming it on alcohol abuse

Williams stepped down from his post as Rugby World Cup ambassador.^[3]

Williams has then gone on to doing counselling in various forms to help with depression, anxiety, fame, alcohol abuse, and decision making. Joshua Williams in 2012 met back up with his high school sweetheart and managed to salvaged what relationship they had before his time with Brown.^[4]

Music career

Funding

From 2008 to March 2011 Williams received over $100,000 dollars in funding from the taxpayer-funded New Zealand on Air. This included $50,000 to produce the album, and multiple grants to make music videos.^[5]

2008 – 2010: Young Love

In September 2008 "Blow Your Mind" was released as the lead single from Williams' debut album. It peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Second single "Set it Off", was released to commercial radio stations in early 2009 and charted at number thirty six. In March 2009, Williams released his third single, "Ghetto Flower", which peaked at number 5 on the same chart. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on 9 June 2009, selling over 7,500 copies.^[6] and was written by his sister, Emily Williams. The fourth single, "Stand With You", was released in June 2009, and peaked at number 6 in New Zealand, becoming his second consecutive top-10 single. It featured his sister, Lavina Williams. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on 13 September 2009, selling over 7,500 copies.^[6]

On 13 July 2009 Williams released his debut album, Young Love. The album debuted at number five on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums Chart and was certified gold. On 9 November 2009 Williams released his fifth single from the album, "Your Style" which featured New Zealand singer, Erakah. The single peaked at number 16 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

In February 2010, Williams released sixth single "You Got Me", featuring New Zealand rapper Scribe. The single peaked at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart,^[7] and was certified Platinum.^[6] In December 2010, it was declared that "You Got Me" was the #1 selling single of 2010 in New Zealand.^[8]

2010 – present

On 25 May 2010 Williams released "Takes Me Higher", which features pop singer Dane Rumble. The single only had a digital release. It peaked at number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart. In December 2010, "Takes Me Higher" was declared the #19 best seller of 2010 in New Zealand.^[8] "Night of Your Life" was released on 11 October 2010 and received a gold certification.^[9] in 2010 J toured Germany having visited 13 cities and being part of one of their biggest TV music shows which NZ artist friend Dane Rumble joined him with.

In 2012, Williams was the supporting act for New Zealand boy band, Titanium on their Come On Home Tour.

In late 2012 Williams spent time in Japan where they released a delux Album of Young Love which had 5 extra songs including" You Got Me" and "Takes me Higher"

2013 Williams has been writing material removing himself from the public arena to focus on new music and to spend time with his son Ryder.

Late 2013 Williams auditioned and became the understudy for "Simba" on the musical "lion king" in Australia which he say was to test push and challenge him as a person.

2014 Williams label Illegal Musik managed to release singles "Broken love" and "Breathe" ....

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

As featured artist

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official Bebo site
• Record Label site
• Profile on muzic.net.nz
• Profile on amplifier.co.nz
• Feature profile on Television New Zealand's Close Up programme