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Artist
James Gardin
12+ albums
rapHip-HopChristian Rap
about
James Gardin (formerly known as P.H.I.L.T.H.Y.) has used his music to fuel dance floors, radiowaves, and social causes. But before landing on RapZilla’s Freshman 10, opening for national acts (The Pack, Grieves, Cool Kids), and using his lyrics to champion cultural unity and HIV/AIDS awareness, James Gardin had to learn to create for himself. Gardin was born in Germany to two parents in the Army before moving to Arizona at age four and settling into Lansing, Mich. at age 10. He got involved with music early through church choir, guitar lessons from a mentor, and dug into books to learn how to play sheet music. His later invested into a home studio and took audio production classes before forming a group with other area rappers. Inspired by the success of Kanye West’s The College Dropout, he decided to convey more of himself in his music by speaking about his faith more and cutting profanity. Successful underground releases made him a go-to opener when national acts performed in his city. He broke out in 2009 with Love Songs For Losers & Ballads For Ballers, a EP with Los Angeles producer Jansport J that garnered over 5,000 downloads and got coverage in prominent rap publications. He also began to donate performances and workshops to initiatives and youth art programs such as Michigan State University multicultural organization MRULE. He traveled to South Africa to spearhead a music/arts program at a center for children affected by HIV and AIDS. Since returning to the Unite
