Brian James
BRIANCXVI (CXVI), born in Alexandria, VA, is an American personality, recording artist, producer and writer. He has authored 3 novels, “The Man Who Didn’t Stop Running”, "Deja's Watchtower" and “I’m Fine” as well as composed 2 studio projects, “I’m Fine” & "BEACHRAINROCK". CXVI also has an extensive 10-year media career in the broadcast industry, anchoring himself in entertainment media. CXVI is out to continue to prove his valor in the arena of music, media and influence. He continues his pursuits with a passion for the betterment of people.
That same passion bleeds over into his thriving 10-year media career in nation-wide commercial media. His broadcasting career began in his hometown near the Washington, D.C. area where he served the community as an overnight host on WKYS (Urban One) for nearly 3 years, interning prior to. Mentored and trained by broadcasting veterans like Russ Parr, Rickey Smiley, EZ Street, Neke Howse, Kelson, and more, he quickly excelled to new opportunities in radio.
Following his successful stint at home, CXVI ventured to Buffalo, NY to join the heritage station, WBLK as the night show (6P-10P) host. In Buffalo, CXVI hosted the #1 (Arbitron Rated, Brand Recorded Highest Rated Show in Townsquare Media Buffalo) show “Brian’s World” with co-hosts Michelle Visa and DJ Big Rob. Quickly becoming immersed in the Buffalo culture, the show continued to thrive.
Following the successful stint, CXVI relocated to Indianapolis, IN serving as the midday host (10AM-3P) on HOT 96.3. While in Indiana, CXVI grasped several huge statements in livelihood and manhood thus leading to the growth of his ambitions. While serving the community as a broadcaster, CXVI wrote his first novel “The Man Who Didn’t Stop Running” and toured 13 cities with his story of love. As book sales increased and the radio show continued to gain popularity, CXVI also released his second mixtape entitled, “I’m Fine” in 2016. The project provided a first hand peak into the world of a depressed African American.
Not only does CXVI dedicate his career to tastefulness, love, timelessness and quality, but at the core of his passion is serving the mental health community. With several freelance opportunities and volunteering , CXVI has worked alongside the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for 3 years, seeking to understand the dark work of mental illnesses and how we can ban together to prevent suicide.
“I’ve been trapped by my thoughts before, I know the struggle. I want to understand those clouds so that they won’t invade someone else’s life,” said CXVI.
CXVI continues to rely on his words to help usher in a wave of love. CXVI is also currently On-Air in Baltimore, MD for 92Q, serving the Baltimore community with his love and passion for broadcasting.Through it all, his passion for people continues to propel him. His goal is to accurately represent a motto that he lives by: love can save us all.
The Super Bowl LVI Pepsi Halftime Show will go down in history. That’s why it makes sense that Jay-Z was willing to walk away if it didn’t happen.
It was the first show of its kind. We’ve seen hip-hop artist here and there on the Super Bowl stage but never to the magnitude of what we witnessed this year (Feb. 13). Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent (surprise), and Kendrick Lamar painted the world with a true adaptation of culture. According to the New York Times, this year’s show amassed 103.4 viewers, a 7% increase from last year’s performance by The Weeknd. Jay Z believed in this show from the beginning and a backstage moment between him and Snoop Dogg prove just how much.
“Jay was the first one that came to the dressing room when I got offstage,” Snoop said in an interview with Tidal. “We had [300 Entertainment CEO] Kevin Liles in there. Kevin Liles had Jay on FaceTime, trying to show him where we was at. So then he came down, and soon as he came in he hugged me. We hug each other tight. It was as if we won a championship. Like, you know when you’re genuinely happy for each other? People don’t understand, me and him are the ones. He’s the one on the East. I’m the one from the West.”
He added, “We love each other. Like, not secretly, like publicly, we love each other. It is what it is, so it’s like for him to go to bat for us and tell the NFL, ‘F**k that. They perform or I quit,’ that was the most gangster sh*t out of everything. Then with attire and kneeling and all this … you can’t wear your gang bang sh*t? JAY-Z hit me like, ‘Wear what the f**k you want to wear. Peace to the Gods.’”
What’s next for Jay?
I ask that because after this year’s show, we can only imagine what else Jay and Roc Nation have up their sleeves. In August of 2019, Jay Z (& Roc Nation) partnered with the NFL to “advise on selecting artists for major NFL performances like the Super Bowl.”
“With its global reach, the National Football League has the platform and opportunity to inspire change across the country,” Jay-Z said. “This partnership is an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of communities across America.” You may remember the moment because it was a polarizing time as NFL fans were torn between enjoying the game and standing up for social justice. It was a time where players, coaches, and others were kneeling during the National anthem.
Since then, Jay has certainly brought a stern flare of culture to one of the biggest stages that any artist can stand on. You can’t help but wonder what’s around the corner. Who else could we see make history? A portion of the culture was critical of Jay’s involvement with the league but we see the fruits of that agreement.
Correction, we hear them. It’s just another way to push the culture forward, in my opinion.
