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As a youngster, James G.’s mother moved to NYC and married a jewelry store owner; leaving him and his younger sister behind to be cared for by his grandmother. Every summer when school let out, James would board a Greyhound bus headed to the Mecca of Hip-Hop where he learned to love and execute rhyme schemes. Returning home to PA was always bitter-sweet. James would be strapped with all the newest gear and mixtapes making him somewhat of a local celebrity. Blessed with a nurturing grandmother who spoiled him with most of his requests at Christmas time, it wasn’t long before the M.C. was given D.J. equipment to help hone his skills. With ONE love, and NO “plan B” James threw himself into the music and never looked back. Known as a neighborhood legend for his witty and captivating storytelling freestyles, the battle rapper quickly grew a reputation for his fondness of the ladies, garnering him the stage name “Romance”, provided by his partner-in-rhyme.
After two years of working for the local plant, it was closed down and left James to turn to the streets for income. With an Uncle on the Police force, it was Double jeopardy for the aspiring rapper who had yet to see his full potential and develop a plan as to how to make his dreams come true. The daily grind in the projects soon became first priority and led to several clashes with the law enforcement and within his family. “The backseat became the place for attempted guidance for me, my mother and father lived out of state, but my Uncles did their best to try to reach me. I always believed in God, but it was easier to trust in gats. Thank God for getting me through it.”
When a close friend started an entertainment company, he offered to pay for the studio time for James G.’s group and showed him an alternative to the “Boyz in da Hood” lifestyle that was snatching so many of his closest road-dogs. After several attempts were made on his life, he decided to take his street life to the stage; but the streets kept calling. “It wasn’t until my first son was born before I started to take this rap ish seriously.”
After making a song titled “You” became a hood classic, the dream was now a reality and James finally had the complete vision. With a lifetime of street experience and an overwhelming passion for the music, James G. aka Elliot Burns is here to stay.
