Ro James

Ro James
Birth nameRonnie James Tucker
BornStuttgart, West Germany
OriginNew York City, U.S.
GenresR&B
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websiterojamesxix.com

Ronnie James Tucker is an American R&B singer. He is best known for his 2015 single "Permission", which peaked at number 37 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He signed with Mark Pitts' ByStorm Entertainment, an imprint of RCA Records to release his debut studio album, Eldorado (2016).

Career

Born in Stuttgart, West Germany, James is of Panamanian[1] and African-American[2] descent. Throughout his childhood, James would sing regularly, but never in public.[3] He eventually moved to New York where he was influenced by his aunt Rosie Gaines, a former singer for Prince.[4] His love for the album Purple Rain landed him in a studio at the age of 19.[4] His skills as a songwriter began with the song "Portrait", leading up to a credit on the single "Use Me" by R&B singer Miguel[5] after forming a bond with him on MySpace.[6]

James performed in and around New York with artists such as Luke James and Wynter Gordon. In 2013 he released his first EP, a three-part entitled Coke, Jack and Cadillacs. Each part represented important themes in his life - first love, first drink, first car.[3] The EP featured songs that included "A.D.I.D.A.S." and "Pledge Allegiance". It also featured Asher Roth on the song "Lisa".[7] James signed with ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records in 2015 and subsequently released "Permission", his first single from a major record label, reaching number 37 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[8] His debut album, Eldorado was released May 27, 2016. It debuted at number 71 on the US Billboard 200[9] and at number eight on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[10] It subsequently earned him his first nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards in February 2017.

Discography

Albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[9] 		US
R&B
/HH
[10] 		US
R&B
[11]
Eldorado 71 8 3
Mantic
  • Released: May 29, 2020
  • Label: ByStorm Entertainment, RCA Records
  • Format: Digital download
 — — —

EPs

Title Details
Coke, Jack, and Cadillacs
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital
Smoke
  • Released: March 23, 2018
  • Label: ByStorm Entertainment, RCA
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.
[14] 		US
R&B
/HH
[8] 		US
R&B
[15]
"Permission" 2015 17 37 12 Eldorado
"Plan B" (with Brandy)[17] 2020 — — — Mantic

Tours

Headlining tour

Co-headlining tour

  • The R&B Tour (with BJ The Chicago Kid) (2018)[19]

References

  1. ^ "Getting To Know Ro James". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  2. ^ Gold, Johnson (April 6, 2017). "PAUSE Meets: Ro James". PAUSE Online | Men's Fashion, Street Style, Fashion News & Streetwear. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Platon, Adelle (January 15, 2016). "R&B Bad Boy Ro James On His Influences & Upcoming Debut 'El Dorado'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "New Artist Spotlight: Ro James". Urban Bridgez. January 30, 2016. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  5. ^ Leight, Elias (November 25, 2014). "jade de LaFleur, '405' Featuring Ro James". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  6. ^ "Ro James Discusses Upcoming EP And Working With Miguel". Vibe. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  7. ^ Platon, Adelle (December 17, 2016). "Ro James Makes Magic on Sexy Jam 'Already Knew That'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Ro James - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Ro James - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Ro James - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  11. ^ "Ro James - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  12. ^ "Ro James - ELDORADO - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  13. ^ "ELDORADO by Ro James on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. May 27, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  14. ^ "Chart Search for Ro James | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Ro James - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Ro James". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "R&b Star Ro James releases his brand new single "Plan B" featuring Brandy". outnowmagazine.com. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  18. ^ "Ro James To Embark On Headlining "XIX" Tour In 2017 - Nominated For A GRAMMY For Best R&B Performance For "Permission" From Debut Album "ELDORADO"". RCA Records. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Ellis, Stacy-Ann (April 12, 2018). "Ro James And BJ The Chicago Kid's "R&B Tour" Is Coming To A City Near You". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.