James Virgodo

Every once in a while, while driving down the road, I hear a song on the radio that instantly grabs my attention. The first few notes and words waft from the speakers like a little prayer, and I’m compelled to do nothing else with my life but heed their message, and let the melody take me to a different place… if only for a few minutes.

            James Virgodo is part of a rare breed of lyricists who don’t just ask for your attention; they command it. His words don’t pass un-noted over the ears; they seem to go straight to the heart. Listening to James is like a stream of consciousness that won’t let go. You will indulge in the lessons and come away with something to think of, regardless of whether you intended to. 

Born September 20, 1992 in a small suburb outside Jackson, Mississippi, James was never at a loss for words. After writing his first song at age eleven, he knew what he was going to do with his life. He still says, “If this don’t work out, nothin’s gonna work out.” Virgodo began recording in 2008, under the name Mribeonit, collaborating with his cousins on beat-making. He does hail from the Hospitality State, after all, where family comes first. 

James’ first excursions in the world of hip hop involved him doing features on his cousins’ songs. From there, he escalated to a No Ceilings style of rapping. During that time, he simply found instrumentals from popular songs he already enjoyed, and rapped over the beat. Amateur? Maybe, but this was a crucial time in the development of James Virgodo, a time for him to hone his craft and nourish his abilities as a lyricist, and as an artist in general.

Red Ink was the first mix tape we got from James, in 2012. Associates familiar with James through family, school, or friend circles already knew that he could rap, but this release solidified that claim. “I just had a hunger to be heard. I wanted people to know there are still lyricists out there. I think I surprised people. Nobody thought I could pull something like Would You Be My Lady from my repertoire. But I felt like, on that record, I was lyrical but still able to catch somebody’s attention.” Since Red Ink’s release, Virgodo has performed a number of times around the Jackson area. Each time has been successful, and James has been met with much praise and acclaim from audience members in the shows, as well as people in higher, more critical capacities- the ones who actually put on the shows.

“People say I got a lot of energy, passion- somebody told me one time that he knows I leave it all on the stage when I perform.”  Having been called a “wrecking ball of a performer”, James kills the performance every time- he practically leaves battery acid dripping off the stage. It’s electric and a bit indescribable- you have to watch to find out.