Trinidad James

Nicholas Williams entered the world in Trinidad & Tobago before growing up in Atlanta, where he later channeled a style positioned between Wiz Khalifa’s relaxed cadence and pleasure-seeking verses and Lil B’s independent outlook alongside his preference for unconventional production. As Trinidad James the Atlanta rapper advanced from online phenomenon to Def Jam artist during his debut year in the game. While overseeing a downtown Atlanta streetwear shop at age 24, he opted to begin recording as Trinidad James in late 2011. October 2012 brought his first mixtape, Don't Be S.A.F.E., which contained the viral single “All Gold Everything.”

By December the clip for that track had exceeded three million views, prompting Def Jam to announce the signing and issue a remix of “All Gold Everything” that added new verses from T.I., Young Jeezy, and 2 Chainz. The label then granted Don't Be S.A.F.E. an official release in early 2013. A second project, the mixtape 10 PC Mild, followed later that year and featured guest spots from Travi$ Scott, D4L, Danny Brown, Rich Homie Quan, Gucci Mane, and Childish Gambino.

Releasing further tapes through his own Gold Gang label, James filled 2015 with the three projects The Wake Up, No One Is Safe, and Trips to Trinidad. Additional appearances came on a remix of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” plus Cash Cash’s “The Gun” with Dev and Chrish. In 2016 he concentrated again on his own material, issuing the single “Just a Lil' Thick (She Juicy)” that included contributions from Mystikal and Lil Dicky.