Exclusive Interview with CRAZY JAMES

Artist Spotlight: CRAZY JAMES

British rapper Crazy James returns with his latest sonic firestorm, “BTHD,” a track that fuses raw emotion, stunning lyrical agility, and head-nodding production into one unforgettable ride. With lush piano flourishes and a beat that’s as fresh as it is infectious, “BTHD” showcases Crazy James at the height of his artistry—delivering a flow so passionate and magnetic, it’s impossible not to feel it.

We sat down with Crazy James to talk about their creative journey, inspirations, and what’s next.

MusicsWeek: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Crazy James: Top of the list is the king himself, Michael Jackson. But there are so many more who’ve had a major impact on my life and music—Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Eminem, Nas, Hans Zimmer, GIMS, Ludwig Göransson, Method Man, Collie Buddz, Bob Marley, plus a handful of African artists. And that’s just to name a few—this list could honestly go on forever.

MusicsWeek: What non-musical influences (books, movies, art, etc.) inspire your work?

Crazy James: All the great sportsmen—Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt. As for books, top of the list has to be Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. If you're ever having a bad day or questioning your resilience, pick up that book.

MusicsWeek: Is there a particular song or album that has significantly influenced your career?

Crazy James: There are a few I’ll always remember hearing for the first time—if you haven’t heard these, go check them out:

Scorzayzee – "Great Britain", Dirty Diggers – "For the Haters", Collie Buddz – "Show Love", Magic System – "1er Gaou", Nas – Illmatic, Wu-Tang – 36 Chambers, 50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin', Eminem – "White America", JME – "Man Don’t Care", Papa Roach – "Last Resort", Hans Zimmer – Man of Steel soundtrack, Lost Boyz - "Legal Drug Money".

That’s just off the top of my head—there are so many more.
 

MusicsWeek: How do your personal experiences shape your music?

Crazy James: I’m a massive advocate for mental health and anxiety awareness, and I speak openly about it in my music. I even created an acronym—CILLA BLACK—which stands for Challenges In Life Like Anxiety Bring Love, Acceptance, Chaos, and Knowledge. That’s become a personal slogan for me.
 

MusicsWeek: Have your influences changed over the years?

Crazy James: Naturally. Every five years or so, a new generation of sound and art emerges, and we’re drawn to what resonates with us in that season of life. But it’s human nature to love nostalgia—to return to the classics that left an imprint on our DNA during our formative years.

MusicsWeek: How do you incorporate your cultural background into your music?

Crazy James: Living in so many countries has opened me up to all types of music. I truly appreciate every genre because I understand the skill it takes to create any form of art. I’ve made tracks with Afro vibes, some using Arabic samples, even a few with indie rock influences.
 

That versatility comes from experiencing life all over the world—those cultural layers shaped who I am both musically and personally.
 

MusicsWeek: What role does nature or your environment play in your songwriting?

Crazy James: I grew up in Luton, a town with a rough reputation—and honestly, some of it is deserved. It’s not the safest place to grow up, but it’s got character and some amazing, like-minded people.
 

Over the years, it’s deteriorated a lot, especially with drug and alcohol issues. But the struggles you face there make you a product of your environment. I believe adversity sharpens creativity—it forces you to dig deeper and express yourself.
 

MusicsWeek: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

Crazy James: When I was four years old, my mother sent me a Michael Jackson VHS of the Motown anniversary show. I was blown away. I watched it so many times the tape became unusable. I’d press play and pause for hours just to mimic MJ’s moves.
 

At six, I had my first performance—still probably the biggest crowd I’ve played to. We were living in Ghana, and my school (G.I.S.) put on a massive talent show. I danced like MJ in front of over 2,000 people. That’s the beauty of Africa—whole families show up, support one another, and celebrate life.
 

The crowd went wild. I still remember that eruption of noise—it was electrifying. I knew right then I wanted to make people feel that way. Being on stage was the only way to do it.
 

MusicsWeek: What was the first song you ever wrote, and what inspired it?

Crazy James: Believe it or not, my first songs were ballads. I wanted to be an R&B singer, even though I didn’t quite have the voice for it. I also wrote a lot of poetry.
 

But my first rap song was called "You're Feeling It, Let Go." I still remember parts of it. What inspired it was my transition from wanting to sing to wanting to rap. I even burned one of my lyric books as a way of letting go of the past—it was like an unintentional manifestation.
 

Lyrics went something like:
"I made a curse, just for me, to become the greatest lyricist there ever will be... to become the greater me, just so I can let myself go and be free..."
 

The hook was catchy as hell. I still rate it!
 

MusicsWeek: How did you get started in the music industry?

Crazy James: I performed at every talent contest I could find, then moved on to the open mic scene across the UK. I’d test out different tracks live to see what got the best response. But back then, the scene was saturated with similar-sounding artists, and I hadn’t quite found my sound yet either.
 

Eventually, I needed a change. That’s when I created Hip-Coustic—a blend of Hip-Hop and Acoustic. Just my lyrics and voice over a chilled guitar riff. It worked beautifully and opened up a lot of new doors.
 

By 2018, I was performing across Europe. But 2019 was the real turning point. That’s when CRAZY JAMES 2.0 was born. I smashed a show in Rome, headlined a festival in Poland, and recorded my first LP, UNSIGNED & UNSPOILT VOL.1.
 

2020 was shaping up to be a massive year with bookings across the UK and Europe—then COVID hit. But I’m still here, and honestly, it feels like I’ve only just blossomed again.