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Joshua Elia Williams (born 3 September 1986), known by his stage name J. Williams, is a New Zealand R&B recording artist and professional hip-hop dancer. He made his musical debut in 2008 with "Blow Your Mind" which peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. In early 2009 his debut album Young Love was released with the single "You Got Me" featuring Scribe. It was certified platinum and became the #1 selling single of 2010 in New Zealand.

Early life and education

Joshua Elia Williams was born in Auckland, New Zealand His father is of Samoan descent and his mother of Fijian descent. He attended Weymouth Intermediate School in Weymouth, South Auckland and attended James Cook High School in Manurewa.

He compares his upbringing to that of the Jackson 5 family, as his father was very strict regarding religion and music. Williams' has two younger sisters, Keziah and Ezra, and two older sisters, Emily and Lavinia, who have both appeared on Australian Idol.

Career

Williams was a member of the hip hop street dance group originally called Dziah (now known as Prestige). In 2006 Dziah represented New Zealand at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Los Angeles. They came second to the current champions, the Philippine All Stars. In 2008 at the same competition, this time as Prestige, they came fourth.

From 2008 to March 2011 Williams received over NZ$100,000 in funding from the taxpayer-funded New Zealand On Air. This included $50,000 to produce the album, and multiple grants to make music videos.

2008 – 2010: Young Love

In September 2008 "Blow Your Mind" was released as the lead single from Williams' debut album. It peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Second single "Set it Off", was released to commercial radio stations in early 2009 and charted at number thirty six. In March 2009, Williams released his third single, "Ghetto Flower", which peaked at number 5 on the same chart. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on 9 June 2009, selling over 7,500 copies. and was written by his sister, Emily Williams. The fourth single, "Stand with You", was released in June 2009, and peaked at number 6 in New Zealand, becoming his second consecutive top-10 single. It featured his sister, Lavina Williams. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on 13 September 2009, selling over 7,500 copies.

On 13 July 2009 Williams released his debut album, Young Love. The album debuted at number five on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums Chart and was certified gold. On 9 November 2009 Williams released his fifth single from the album, "Your Style" which featured New Zealand singer, Erakah. The single peaked at number 16 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

In February 2010, Williams released sixth single "You Got Me", featuring New Zealand rapper Scribe. The single peaked at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and was certified Platinum. In December 2010, it was declared that "You Got Me" was the #1 selling single of 2010 in New Zealand.

2010 – present

On 25 May 2010 Williams released "Takes Me Higher", which features pop singer Dane Rumble. The single only had a digital release. It peaked at number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart. In December 2010, "Takes Me Higher" was declared the #19 best seller of 2010 in New Zealand. "Night of Your Life" was released on 11 October 2010 and received a gold certification. In 2010 Williams toured Germany.

In 2012, Williams was the supporting act for New Zealand boy band, Titanium on their Come On Home Tour.

Personal life

Williams and his partner Larissa Brown separated shortly before the birth of their child Ryder, and stories of alcohol-fuelled violence emerged. Williams stepped down from his post as Rugby World Cup ambassador. Williams underwent counselling, and in 2012 rekindled a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Renee Marriot.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

As featured artist

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

1. Interview with muzic.net.nz
2. NZ On Air. "Search All Funding Decisions". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
3. ^ "Latest Gold/Platinum Singles". radioscope.net.nz. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
4. "J. Williams feat. Scribe – You Got Me". charts.nz. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
5. ^ "J. Williams, Susan Boyle top charts for 2010". One News. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
6. "Night of Your Life (feat. K.One) - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
7. Powley, Kathryn (8 May 2011). "Kiwi No 1 pop star's 'horrible' violence". The New Zealand Herald.
8. "Rumble replaces Williams as rugby ambassador". Auckland Now. 17 June 2011.
9. Tait, Morgan (31 May 2013). "Troubled hip-hop star turns life around". The New Zealand Herald.
10. ^ "J. Williams in New Zealand charts". Hung Medien. charts.nz. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
11. "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". RadioScope. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
12. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
13. Steffen Hung (14 February 2009). "Mareko - Them Eyes". charts.nz. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
14. "J. Williams – Ghetto Flower music video". NME. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
15. Kiwi Hit Clips (Media notes). New Zealand On Air.
16. J. Williams – Your Style feat Erakah and Tyree (YouTube). 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
17. "Kiwi musician makes new video in 3D". 3 News. 15 February 2010. Archived from the original (video) on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
18. "J Williams feat Dane Rumble Takes Me Higher Official Video". NME. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
19. APRA Silver Scroll Announce Top 20 MTV New Zealand - Retrieved 24 July 2010
20. Sundae, Hugh (1 September 2010). "NZ music awards finalists announced". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
21. Tapaleao, Vaimoana (29 May 2010). "Chart-topping acts among Pacific award contenders". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
22. "S3 Pacific Music Award Winners Announced" (Press release). Pacific Music Awards. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.

External links

• Official Bebo site
• Record Label site
• Profile on muzic.net.nz
• Profile on amplifier.co.nz
• Feature profile on Television New Zealand's Close Up programme

• Living people
• New Zealand people of Samoan descent
• New Zealand male singer-songwriters
• New Zealand singer-songwriters
• New Zealand contemporary R&B singers
• New Zealand pop singers
• New Zealand hip-hop musicians
• New Zealand people of I-Taukei Fijian descent
• 21st-century New Zealand male singers
• 1986 births