Features : James “Jimii N°1” White: Spreading Hope Through Music with “My Wish”

Singer-songwriter James “Jimii N°1” White showcases his latest single, “My Wish,” from his debut album Be Still and Know.

With an unwavering mission to spread hope and love across the globe, “My Wish” serves as a heartfelt anthem for those who feel unseen and unheard – the sick, the shut-in and the rejected. Over a soulful, classic R&B melody, Jimii delivers an uplifting message that resonates deeply, embodying his commitment to healing and spreading love through music.

“My wish for the song was that it would be helpful to transgender kids. There are a lot of kids out there committing suicide,” said Jimii. “All because [as a society] we’ve come to accept this limited imagination of what it means to be human.”

Like much of his music, “My Wish” draws deeply from Jimii’s experiences. Years ago, a dear friend confided to him her anxiety and fear about coming out to her mother. In response, Jimii crafted this song as a heartfelt balm to soothe her pain and anguish, reflecting his ability to transform personal reflection into universal messages of comfort and hope.

“I wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone, but it wasn’t just for her but also gay youth, the transgender community, the disabled, anyone who’s felt othered or looked down upon,” shared Jimii.

While the album Be Still and Know has been available for a year, the official video for “My Wish” was released last week. Music has always been integral to Jimii’s life, but it wasn’t until approximately five years ago that he began writing and recording professionally. A seasoned musician, actor, and performer, Jimii writes, arranges, and oversees all aspects of his music, including music videos and CD artwork.

Busy at work, Jimii is preparing to release his second music video, highlighting the single “Use Your Faith,” the album’s opening track.

“I added ‘My Wish’ at the end. The album was going to be eight songs, but I added it in because I wasn’t sure I would ever do this again, and I wanted to get this message out,” emphasized Jimii.

A showbiz vet, Jimii’s journey with music began in grade school, where he was consistently involved in choirs, choruses, and ensembles. By junior high, he expanded into theater, performing in productions such as West Side Story and Oliver at the Sam Brannan Junior High School in Sacramento, CA, marking the start of a career in music, entertainment, and theater.

He also made history in the late ’60s as the first black student body president. Over a decade later, his sister continued this legacy by becoming the first black female student body president at Sam Brannan Junior High.

Fast forward to the late ’90s, as the world emerged from the AIDS epidemic, attention turned to concerns about Y2K and the potential for doomsday scenarios. As everyone questioned where they wanted to be, Jimii realized he preferred San Francisco, where he reconnected with a longtime beau. They have been together for 29 years.

Having experienced profound loss during the ’90s, they were grateful to be alive and in love, and for a time, Jimii stopped performing. However, in 2007, facing the escalating cost of living in San Francisco, they relocated to Chicago, where Jimii reignited his pursuit of performance work.

“It used to be my biggest wish that I could go to Motown, or something or someone would guide me and lead me, but it didn’t work out like that,” continued Jimii. “After I fell in love, I kind of put performing on hold.”

In Chicago, Jimii immersed himself in the local Black theater scene, collaborating with esteemed groups like the ETA Creative Arts Foundation and legends like choreographer and dancer Julian Swain. He also joined various choral and performance ensembles across the city, delving into music styles from the ’30s and ’40s, such as big band, swing, bebop, blues, and jazz.

Despite his return to performing, Jimii did not begin composing music until his partner fell ill. Faced with the possibility of losing him, Jimii turned to the piano for solace, sparking a journey into meditation and music composition.

“Chicago is an art town and has been a blessing for the kid. It’s been a blessing to be here. I got to do theatre, photography, art fairs, and sold a lot of my photography too,” said Jimii.

While Jimii derives joy from creating music, his ultimate goal is to use his art to uplift and support others. For those searching for spiritual and uplifting music, his latest single and music video, “My Wish,” are featured on his album Be Still and Know. A video for “Use Your Faith” is also in the works. Jimii’s music is available on all major streaming platforms; fans can stay updated by following him on social media.

Make sure to stay connected to Jimii N°1 on all platforms for new music releases, official videos and social posts.

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