Ro James

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Ro James
Birth nameRonnie James Tucker
BornStuttgart, West Germany
OriginNew York City, U.S.
GenresR&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websiterojamesxix.com

Ronnie James Tucker, better known by his stage name Ro James, is an American R&B singer. He is best known for his single "Permission", which reached number 37 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He is signed to ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records and released Eldorado, his first album under a major label, in 2016.

Career[edit]

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[edit]

Albums[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Headlining tour[edit]

Co-headlining tour[edit]

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

References[edit]

  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.

External links[edit]