D. James a 22 year-old rap artist from Muskegon, MI. Senior year of high school, he entered into a mentor-ship program that was connected with a new label called Imara Entertainment.  Imari in Swahili stands for power, persistence, and endurance. This record label is an outreach and anti-gang initiative of the West Michigan Community Help Network & WUVS 103.7 "The Beat".  Imara Entertainment promotes positive life skills and teaches knowledge of self, self-respect, and self-determination. Members of Imara Entertainment go through a youth mentor-ship program, where the core focus group involve youth, ages 13 through 19, who have an interest in entertainment. Upon completing an 8-week life skill training course, each participant has the opportunity to record his/her own CD.  Upon this introduction, the opportunity was given to create a clean album and was also blessed with knowledge about copyrights, publishing rights and many other topics related to the music industry. The album "Fresh Out Of High School" was released October of 2012.
 
Since then, D. James has taken that experience and has grown tremendously. He is an Arts Management Major at Eastern Michigan University. He is no stranger to hard work, he has several day jobs to support him and finance his investments for his future. He also believes in giving back to the community which is evident in his hometown. December 2013 he went back home to speak at Oak View Elementary School. He spoke about his trials and tribulations throughout his life and how he has used his music to get to where he is today.  In Muskegon, many view him as a "Hometown Hero"; his goal is to set a positive example for the next generation.
 
However, his ambition is not selfish. In 2014, he created Hy’Level Music Group (HMG).  Hy’Level means striving to reach the highest level in life by being the best "you" you can be. He believes in going higher in his faith, education, and career. He wanted that to be evident, especially because his faith plays such a huge part in his life.
 
Furthermore, his upcoming project truly shows his sincere and kind heart. He and Hy'Level Music Group have planned a free tour at various colleges and high schools throughout the country. The tour will promote D. James's upcoming project, "The Cure", which is compiled of clean and uplifting music. The album will release March 12, 2016. 15% of the profits will be benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer, located in Atlanta.
 
This project is especially near and dear to his heart. On April 18th, 2011 his mother passed away due to pancreatic cancer. When D. James was in the 8th grade his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He took on a major responsibility at a young age, by becoming his mother’s caretaker. There were many things he gave up so that he could be by his mother’s side, making sure she was very well taken care of. It was a life changing experience, but it didn't break him; instead it helped shape him into the strong man he is today.  His faith, love for his mother, and love for people drives him in his daily life and his work.
 


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