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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 the hit single "Blow Your Mind" which gained him success on the RIANZ Chart, peaking at number 13. In early 2009 Young Love his debut album was released with the single "You Got Me" featuring Scribe reaching number one. The single was certified platinum and was declared the #1 selling single of 2010 in New Zealand. In 2011 his former partner revealed that she had endured domestic abuse at the hands of Williams.

Biography

J. Williams was born on 3 September 1986 in Mangere, Auckland. He is of Samoan and Fijian descent. He attended Weymouth Intermediate School in Weymouth, South Auckland. He compares his upbringing to that of the Jackson 5 family, as his father was very strict when it came to devoting yourself to religion and music. Williams' has two older sisters, Emily Williams and Lavina Williams, who have both entered Australian Idol.

J.Williams is a member of the hip hop street dance group originally called Dziah, but now known as Prestige. In 2006 Dziah represented New Zealand at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, held in Los Angeles, U.S.. They came in second place to the current champs, the Philippine All Stars and took home the silver medals. In 2008 at the same competition, this time under the name Prestige, they came in fourth place, narrowly missing out on the bronze medals.

In 2011 in was revealed that Williams was physically assaulting his partner, stylist Larissa Brown. The pair finally ended their two-year relationship shortly before the birth of their child Ryder. Friends had noticed bruises on Brown, and many had noted Williams assaulting Brown in public. Police had been called around to their Mount Wellington home because of the abuse, and had noted injuries including fractures. Women's Refuge condemned his behaviour and the fact he was not accepting responsibility, instead blaming it on alcohol abuse. Williams stepped down from his post as Rugby World Cup ambassador.

Music career

Funding

From 2008 to March 2011 Williams received over $100,000 dollars 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

"Blow Your Mind" was released as the lead single from Williams' debut album in September 2008 and peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The second single, "Set it Off", was released to commercial radio stations in early 2009 and charted at number thirty six on the New Zealand Singles Chart. In March 2009, Williams' released his third single, "Ghetto Flower", which peaked at number 5 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The song was certified Gold in New Zealand on June 9, 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 his 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: second studio album

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.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

As featured artist

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

1. ^ Powley, Kathryn (2011-05-08). "Kiwi No 1 pop star's 'horrible' violence". New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
2. Interview with muzic.net.nz
3. Tapaleao, Vaimoana (9 May 2011). "Singer resigns after admitting abuse". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
4. NZ On Air. "Search All Funding Decisions". Retrieved 2011-05-07.
5. ^ "Latest Gold/Platinum Singles". radioscope.net.nz. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
6. "J.Williams feat. Scribe – You Got Me". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
7. ^ http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/j-williams-susan-boyle-top-charts-2010-3978200
8. "Night of Your Life (feat. K.One) - Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
9. ^ "J. Williams in New Zealand charts". Hung Medien. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
10. "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". RadioScope. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
11. http://www.illegalmusik.co.nz/2010/12/19/to-all-the-supporters-of-the-movement/
12. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
13. http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Mareko&titel=Them+Eyes&cat=s
14. "J. Williams – Ghetto Flower music video". NME. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
15. Kiwi Hit Clips (Media notes). New Zealand On Air. {{cite AV media notes}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |director=, |publisherid=, and |titlelink= (help); Unknown parameter |titleyear= ignored (help)
16. J. Williams – Your Style feat Erakah and Tyree (YouTube). 3 November 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
17. "Kiwi musician makes new video in 3D" (video). 3 News. 15 February 2010. 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

Template:Persondata

• 1986 births
• Living people
• New Zealand people of Samoan descent
• New Zealand musicians
• New Zealand singer-songwriters
• New Zealand male singers
• New Zealand rhythm and blues singers
• New Zealand pop singers
• New Zealand hip hop musicians
• J.Williams
• New Zealand people of Fijian descent