James began his rap career in 1991 as a co-founder of the group
Idéal J, with
DJ Mehdi joining as a producer the following year. The group disbanded in 1999 after the death of Las Montana, a close friend of James, leading to a hiatus in James' career. After a two-year break, he returned as a solo artist and released his debut album, ''Si c'était à refaire
(If I Had to Do It Again
), in 2001. In 2005, after contributing the track "Je ne crois plus en l'illicite"
(I No Longer Believe in the Illicit
) to the soundtrack for the film Illicite Projet
, he released his second solo album, Ma vérité
(My Truth
). The album included songs such as "J'aurais pu dire",
"Les miens,"
and "Hardcore,"'' with a guest appearance by
Iron Sy. His third solo album, "''À l'ombre du show business"
(In the Shadow of Show Business
), was released in 2008 and debuted at number three on the French charts in its first week. In 2016, James released his sixth album, Mouhammad Alix''. James has also worked as an actor and director. In 2003, he appeared in the documentary ''Si tu roules avec la Mafia K'1 Fry
(If You Roll with the Mafia K'1 Fry
). Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he directed Savoir et vivre ensemble
(Know and Live Together
), a project featuring rappers, singers, and athletes promoting unity. He appeared as a juror in the 2017 film À voix haute
(Speak Up
). In 2019, his film Banlieusards
(Street Flow'') was released on
Netflix, with the sequel premiering on Netflix on September 27, 2023. He co-wrote and directed both films with
Leïla Sy. == Idéal J ==