Story & Lesson Highlights with James VirGodo of Jackson Ms

James VirGodo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

James, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I always find something to laugh about—that’s just who I am. I see humor in many things, and recently I admired the saying that God has a funny sense of humor because of how a situation unfolded in a way only He could orchestrate. Having my music licensed on P-Valley made me proud. I’d always said my music would be licensed on television, and when the opportunity came out of nowhere, watching it unfold was truly magnificent.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m James VirGodo — a hip-hop artist, entrepreneur, and cultural architect. My brand, God Level Genius, is all about pushing creative excellence to its highest form — whether that’s through music, merchandise, or inspiring people to think bigger. What makes my story unique is that I’ve built everything from the ground up while staying true to my vision and my sound. My music has already been featured on major platforms like Starz’s Down in the Valley series, and I’m working on new projects that blend high-level lyricism with bold business moves. I also run a YouTube channel called God Level Genius, where I engage with the world daily through commentary on hip-hop, sports , and life. I’ve truly fallen in love with connecting with people this way, and I’m building toward eventually launching my own talk show.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
There have been many people who’ve seen greatness in me, even when I was too young to recognize it myself. Recently, while cleaning out my garage and building my home studio, I was preparing to burn a pile of old papers and trash when I came across something special — a picture from my third-grade year. It wasn’t even from my own teacher, but from Ms. Gooden, a close friend of my actual teacher. She saw something in me as a child and gave me her picture with a message on the back that I’ll never forget. It read: “I shall cherish you always . Never change. You are destined for greatness .”Mrs. Robbins, my first-grade teacher, and Mrs. Gooden, my sixth-grade teacher, were the first to truly see me before I could even see myself. They recognized something special in me—a spark, a voice, a presence—that I didn’t yet understand. Their encouragement, patience, and belief planted seeds of confidence that still grow in me today.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve thought about giving up many times, mostly because of the anxiety that comes from feeling counted out. There are people who talk behind my back, then smile in my face—sometimes not even realizing I’ve heard what they said. On top of that, there’s the weight of living up to not only my own expectations, but also what I believe God has planned for me. I’ve learned I have to block out unnecessary noise and be intentional about who I let into my space. Over time, I’ve realized the greatest currency isn’t money—it’s energy. The energy you allow around you can either push you forward or hold you back.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I don’t know how to be anyone but myself. That makes some people uncomfortable, because so many are used to wearing a mask depending on who’s in front of them. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not claiming to be the “realest” person in the room or flawless by any means. But I don’t play a character. The person you see when you meet James Virgodo is exactly who I am, all the time. That’s cost me a lot—both good and bad—because I don’t go along just to get along. So yes, I’m always myself, whether I’m on stage, behind the scenes, or on a livestream sharing my thoughts. I am James Virgodo at all times.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What light inside you have you been dimming?
People have always told me I should do comedy, but I’ve held back because I never wanted it to overshadow my music or stop people from taking me seriously as an artist. That’s always been a fear of mine. I’d love to be part of a comedy show or a comedy movie, but being a full-time stand-up comedian isn’t something I want. I don’t want to live with the pressure of having to be funny every day, because there are so many layers to who I am.

If people only saw me as a comedian, I feel like they wouldn’t respect the depth in my raps—my lyricism, my introspection, my art. At the same time, comedy is definitely a light within me. I naturally bring joy and laughter; I’m the life of the party, and people always remember the funny moments we shared, even years later.

So at some point, I know I’ll have to figure out how to bring that light forward—how to let comedy shine—without compromising the integrity of my music.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jamesvirgodo
• Twitter: @jamesvirgodo
• Facebook: James VirGodo
• Youtube: God Level Genius
• Soundcloud: JamesVirgodo