Biography
James Fauntleroy earned Grammy recognition as a songwriter and producer through collaborations across major R&B and pop circles while also developing his own recording path. His productions blend melodic frameworks drawn from R&B with understated yet persistent hip-hop rhythms, yielding arrangements equally suited to vocalists and rappers alike; this approach has made him a frequent partner for figures including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and numerous others. Although his primary achievements occurred in behind-the-scenes roles, Fauntleroy emerged as a lead artist in 2023 via the jazz-inflected NOVA, a joint effort with Terrace Martin, and he delivered seasonal material that same year through the hip-oriented mixtape The Warmest Winter Ever.
Inglewood, California, marks his birthplace on May 16, 1984. An early desire to pursue visual art shifted after health complications limited hand mobility for years, prompting him to explore singing through school and church activities and redirecting his focus toward music. At age 15 he entered a gospel ensemble, later securing vocal work with the 1500 or Nothin' collective—a network of musicians, vocalists, producers, and writers tied to prominent acts. Asked whether he could compose songs, Fauntleroy claimed experience despite lacking it; supplied with beats, he found he could deliver, placing an early composition with Teddy Riley. A publishing agreement with Universal Music followed. Five tracks he penned appeared on Chris Brown's 2007 album Exclusive, after which his first chart success arrived in 2008 when Jordin Sparks, featuring Brown, reached high positions with “No Air.” Further momentum built from work for Rihanna that produced co-writing credits on six songs from the 2009 album Rated R, along with four additional contributions to her 2016 release Anti.
Parallel to his writing accomplishments, Fauntleroy's vocal contributions gained attention, beginning with a featured appearance on Frank Ocean's 2011 track “American Wedding.” Subsequent years brought guest vocals on recordings by Drake, Kanye West, Travis Scott, Nipsey Hussle, Vince Staples, A$AP Rocky, and additional artists. He received co-writing credit on every song from Justin Timberlake's 2013 album The 20/20 Experience and on its follow-up, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2; the cut “Pusher Love Girl” from the first volume secured him a Grammy in the Best R&B Song category. Two further songs from him appeared on Timberlake's 2018 project Man of the Woods. Bruno Mars' 2016 album 24K Magic included seven of its nine tracks written by Fauntleroy. That release claimed the Grammy for Album of the Year, while “That's What I Like” won both Song of the Year and Best R&B Song.
As a performer, Fauntleroy first gained visibility through membership in the hip-hop collective Cocaine 80s, where he supplied lead vocals across four EPs issued between 2011 and 2013. His initial solo outing, the 2014 digital EP String Theory Acoustic, preceded the 2016 release Warmest Winter II and 2017's DOJO. In 2023 he partnered again with Terrace Martin on the six-song jazz EP NOVA. Another solo effort reached listeners before the year closed: the holiday mixtape The Warmest Winter Ever.
Inglewood, California, marks his birthplace on May 16, 1984. An early desire to pursue visual art shifted after health complications limited hand mobility for years, prompting him to explore singing through school and church activities and redirecting his focus toward music. At age 15 he entered a gospel ensemble, later securing vocal work with the 1500 or Nothin' collective—a network of musicians, vocalists, producers, and writers tied to prominent acts. Asked whether he could compose songs, Fauntleroy claimed experience despite lacking it; supplied with beats, he found he could deliver, placing an early composition with Teddy Riley. A publishing agreement with Universal Music followed. Five tracks he penned appeared on Chris Brown's 2007 album Exclusive, after which his first chart success arrived in 2008 when Jordin Sparks, featuring Brown, reached high positions with “No Air.” Further momentum built from work for Rihanna that produced co-writing credits on six songs from the 2009 album Rated R, along with four additional contributions to her 2016 release Anti.
Parallel to his writing accomplishments, Fauntleroy's vocal contributions gained attention, beginning with a featured appearance on Frank Ocean's 2011 track “American Wedding.” Subsequent years brought guest vocals on recordings by Drake, Kanye West, Travis Scott, Nipsey Hussle, Vince Staples, A$AP Rocky, and additional artists. He received co-writing credit on every song from Justin Timberlake's 2013 album The 20/20 Experience and on its follow-up, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2; the cut “Pusher Love Girl” from the first volume secured him a Grammy in the Best R&B Song category. Two further songs from him appeared on Timberlake's 2018 project Man of the Woods. Bruno Mars' 2016 album 24K Magic included seven of its nine tracks written by Fauntleroy. That release claimed the Grammy for Album of the Year, while “That's What I Like” won both Song of the Year and Best R&B Song.
As a performer, Fauntleroy first gained visibility through membership in the hip-hop collective Cocaine 80s, where he supplied lead vocals across four EPs issued between 2011 and 2013. His initial solo outing, the 2014 digital EP String Theory Acoustic, preceded the 2016 release Warmest Winter II and 2017's DOJO. In 2023 he partnered again with Terrace Martin on the six-song jazz EP NOVA. Another solo effort reached listeners before the year closed: the holiday mixtape The Warmest Winter Ever.
Albums
Singles
