Victoria Wilson-James

{{EngvarB|date=November 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Victoria Wilson-James | image = | caption = | birth_name = | alias = The Glamazon | birth_date = | birth_place = Gary, Indiana, United States | origin = | genre = {{hlist|House|pop|dance|electronic}} | occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer | years_active = 1987–present | label = Epic, Sony, Virgin | past_member_of = The Shamen, Soul II Soul, Avitas | website = {{URL|victoriawilsonjames.com}} }}

'''Victoria Wilson-James''' is an American-born English singer, songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she performed in various theatre plays and musicals as a teenager. Following the release of her debut single "I Want You in My Movie", she was recruited by Jazzie B to join a newly reformed line-up of R&B group Soul II Soul. Managed by her bandmate, Jazzie B, the group became one of London's best-selling groups of all time. Their second album, ''Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade'' (1990), which achieved gold-status in the US and UK,<ref name="bpi">{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|title=UK Certified Awards Search > Soul II Soul|publisher=British Phonographic Industry|access-date=May 28, 2013|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710164143/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=%22Soul%20II%20Soul%22|title=US Certifications > Soul II Soul|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> featured the top-charting single "A Dreams a Dream" with Wilson-James on lead vocals.<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25085/soul-ii-soul/|title=UK Charts > Soul II Soul|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref>

Following her exit from the group at the end of 1990, she released her debut solo album, ''Perseverance'' (1991), which contained hits "Through" and "Bright Lights".<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|title=Victoria Wilson James > Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/430896/victoria-wilson-james/chart?f=333|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 20, 2017}}</ref> In 1993, she joined the Shamen and continued performing and recording with them until their disbandment in 1999. In 1997, she released her second album ''Colorfields'', which featured one of her signature hits "Reach 4 the Melody". Wilson-James has also appeared in various theatre musicals including ''The Wiz'' (2001), ''Purlie'' (2004), and ''Lush Life'' (2005). She formed a duo called Avitas and released an album titled ''A Course in Miracles'' in September 2005.

In June 2012, Soul II Soul received the honorary Heritage Award from Performing Right Society, which Wilson-James also received despite not being able to attend.<ref name= "prs">[http://www.prsformusic.com/aboutus/press/heritage-award/pages/soul-ii-soul.aspx Heritage Awards > Soul II Soul]. PRS for Music. Retrieved June 30, 2016</ref> In March 2013, she released her third album titled ''The Rapture''.

==Early life== Wilson-James attended the Los Angeles Academy of Performing Arts, where she graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts. She also attended Phil Moore's Singers Workshop in Hollywood.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

==Career== In 1988, she released her first single "I Want You in My Movie" on Risin' Records. In 1990, Jazzie B recruited Wilson-James to join British music group Soul II Soul after the departure of their previous members. In May 1990, Soul II Soul released the second single "A Dreams a Dream", which featured Wilson-James on lead vocals; from their album ''Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade''. The song peaked in the top-ten of the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="soul2soulofficialcharts">[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/25085/soul-ii-soul/ Official Charts History > Soul II Soul]. Official Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref> In the same month, Soul II Soul released their second album ''Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade'', which peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="soul2soulofficialcharts"/> The album also became certified gold-status in the United Kingdom. Wilson-James also toured with the group in the summer of 1990. One of their concerts was recorded at Brixton Academy and released in September 1990 titled ''A New Decade: Live from Brixton Academy''. Following the conclusion of the tour, she left to pursue a solo career.

In late 1990, she began recording her first album, which would be produced by fellow Soul II Soul member Jazzie B and composer and musical director Michael J McEvoy. On March 26, 1991, she released her first album ''Perseverance'', which peaked at number 55 on ''Billboard's'' R&B Albums chart.<ref name="billboard"/> In March 1991, the album's lead single "Through" was released and peaked at number 22 on ''Billboard's'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="billboard"/> She also promoted the album by performing on various musical variety shows including ''The Party Machine with Nia Peeples'', ''Soul Train'', ''The Word'', and ''Video Soul''. In July 1991, she released the second single "Bright Lights", which peaked at number 83 on the R&B Songs chart.<ref name="billboard"/> The album's final single "One World" was released in late 1991.

In 1993, she became the front woman for techno-pop band the Shamen. In 1995, they released their first album together called ''Axis Mutatis'', which peaked at number 27 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name=occ>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26087/shamen/|title=Official Charts > Shamen|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|access-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref> The album spawned the singles "Destination Eschaton" and "Transamazonia", which peaked in the top-thirty of the UK Singles Chart.<ref name=occ/> The final single "Heal (The Separation)" peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name=occ/>

In 1997, Wilson-James released a single titled "Reach 4 the Melody". Her second album ''Colorfields'' was released in 1997 on the Dance Pool recording label. In 1998, she re-joined the Shamen for their final album titled ''UV''. Their last single "Universal" was released before their amicable split in 1999. In 1999, she returned to musical theatre and played Roxy, a role created for her, in the UK musical ''Oh What a Night!''.<ref>[http://www.uktw.co.uk/archive/Tour/Musical/Oh-What-a-Night/T1164025128/ Tour archive for "Oh What a Night! (Musical)"]. UK Theatre Web. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref><ref>[http://musicalsworld.net/Showdivers/ZZMusicalsVersion.php?musical=**%20Hors%20DB%20Musical&version=Oh!%20What%20a%20Night%20(1999-08-Hammersmith%20Apollo%20Theatre-London) Oh! What a Night (Hammersmith Apollo Theatre Londres – Angleterre)]. Musical's World. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160226192739/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4718138/Get-up-get-down-get-reacquainted-with-Kid-Creole.html Get up, get down, get reacquainted with Kid Creole]. The Telegraph. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref> In 2001, she played the role of "Glinda", the good witch of the South, in the UK production of ''The Wiz''.<ref>[http://www.dmcworld.net/features/victoria-wilson-james/ Victoria Wilson James DMC World Magazine Interview]. DMC World Magazine. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref>

In 2001, she appeared on Superchumbo's single "The Revolution", which peaked at number 43 on the Dance Club Songs chart.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/artist/281005/superchumbo/chart Superchumbo – Chart History]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref> The song also peaked at number 37 on the Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales chart.<ref>Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (June 30, 2001). Hot Dance Music. ''Billboard'', Volume 113: No. 26, Page 28. Retrieved from https://books.google.com</ref> In 2002, she was featured on Mr. C's single "Circles of Love" from his debut album ''Change''. In 2004, Wilson-James starred as "Greta" in the film ''Road to Damascus'', directed by Chris Munro. In the same year, she played the role of "Missy Judson" in the musical ''Purlie''.<ref>[http://www.indielondon.co.uk/theatre/t_purlie_bridewell_rev.html Purlie is Victorious at The Bridewell]. Indie London UK. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref>

In early 2005, Wilson-James starred in the theatre musical ''Lush Life'', where she play the role of Ella Fitzgerald and the Cop.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/apr/07/theatre2 Lush Life, Live, Newcastle Review]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref> Again, her performance garnered excellent reviews.<ref>[http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/star-succumbs-lure-stage-4624438 Star succumbs to lure of the stage]. The Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/taste-of-lush-life-1571632 Taste of Lush Life]. Chronicle Live. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Five+faces+blend+perfectly.-a0131753405 Five faces blend perfectly]. The Free Library. Retrieved June 21, 2017</ref> In June 2005, she collaborated with Ralph Falcon on the song "Swim" for the compilation album ''Café Mambo Ibiza 2005''. In 2005, Wilson-James created a musical duo called Avitas, with musician Kinan Atassi. As Avitas, they released an album called ''A Course in Miracles'' in September 2005. The album featured the singles "Re-Creation" and "Cantate".

In March 2007, she released a two-disc compilation album titled ''Indestructible'', which spawned the single "Yo' Freek". She was also featured on Ralph Falcon's single "I Need Someone", which peaked at number two on the U.S. Dance chart after spending twenty-six weeks on the chart.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/artist/358430/ralph-falcon/chart Ralph Falcon – Chart History]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref>

In June 2013, she released her third album ''The Rapture''. The album spawned the singles "Never Stop", "Deep in Vogue", "Say It Ain't So", and "Red Lipstick". In November 2016, Wilson-James starred in her one-woman show called "Perseverance".<ref>[https://www.keyflow.com/events/34839/london/egg-london/abstrakt-sunday-brunch-launch-of-victoria-wilson-james-one-woman-show-perseverance Abstrakt Sunday Brunch & Launch of Victoria Wilson James One Woman Show 'Perseverance]. Keyflow. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref>

In November 2017, Wilson-James released a single titled "Pray".<ref name= "theglamazonreport">[http://www.victoriawilsonjames.com/pray4theworld/ Pray 4 the World]. Victoria Wilson James. Retrieved on January 6, 2018</ref> The song is part of "P.R.A.Y. (Project Resonance Ascension Yantra)" and was released as a free download on her SoundCloud page.<ref name= "theglamazonreport"/><ref>[https://soundcloud.com/victoriawilsonjames/pray "Pray" by Victoria Wilson James]. SoundCloud Retrieved on January 6, 2018</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Title ! rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;" | US R&B <ref name="billboard"/> |- ! scope="row" |''Perseverance'' | * Released: March 26, 1991 * Label: Epic | 55 |- ! scope="row" |''Colorfields'' | * Released: 1997 * Label: Dance Pool, Sony Germany | — |- ! scope="row" |''The Rapture'' | * Released: June 13, 2013 * Label: Victoria Wilson James Music | — |}

===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="1"| Title ! rowspan="1"| Album details |- ! scope="row" |''Indestructible'' | * Released: March 26, 2007 * Label: Thirteen Records |- |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" border="1" |+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17.5em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| US R&B <ref name= "billboard"/> ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| UK <ref>[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26884/victoria-wilson-james/ Victoria Wilson-James > UK Chart History]. Official Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2017</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "I Want You in My Movie" | 1988 | — || — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Through" | rowspan="3"|1991 | 22 || 77 | rowspan="3"|''Perseverance'' |- ! scope="row"| "Bright Lights" | 83 || — |- ! scope="row"| "One World" | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Transcendental Rhythm" | rowspan="2"|1993 | — || — | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Boogie Wonderland" | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Reach 4 the Melody" | rowspan="2"|1997 | — || 72 | rowspan="2"|''Colorfields'' |- ! scope="row"| "Find the Child" | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Fandango" | rowspan="1"|2000 | — || — | rowspan="1" {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Dare to Dream" | rowspan="1"|2004 | — || — | rowspan="2"|''Indestructible'' |- ! scope="row"| "Yo' Freek" | rowspan="1"|2007 | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Never Stop" | rowspan="1"|2009 | — || — | rowspan="5"|''The Rapture'' |- ! scope="row"| "Red Lipstick" | rowspan="3"|2012 | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Increase the Pressure" | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Deep in Vogue" | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Say It Ain't So" | rowspan="1"|2013 | — || — |- | colspan="6" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" border="1" |+ List of singles as a featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18.5em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| US R&B ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| US Dance ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:85%;"| UK |- ! scope="row"| "A Dreams a Dream" (Soul II Soul featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 1990 | 19 || 3 || 6 | ''Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade'' |- ! scope="row"| "The Revolution" (Superchumbo featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 2001 | — || 43 || — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Circles of Love" (Mr. C featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 2002 | — || — || — | ''Change'' |- ! scope="row"| "I Need Someone" (Ralph Falcon featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 2007 | — || 2 || — | rowspan="3" {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Control" (Ralph Falcon featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 2009 | — || — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Alien" (House of Wallenberg featuring Victoria Wilson-James) | 2016 | — || — || — |- | colspan="6" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ List of acting performances in film |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2004 ! scope="row" | ''Road to Damascus'' | Greta | Lead role |- |}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ List of acting performances in theatre |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1999 ! scope="row" | ''Oh What a Night!'' | Roxy | Lead role |- | 2001 ! scope="row" | ''The Wiz'' | Glinda | Supporting role |- | 2004 ! scope="row" |''Purlie'' | Missy Judson | Lead role |- | 2005 ! scope="row" | ''Lush Life'' | Ella Fitzgerald, the Cop | Lead role |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|www.victoriawilsonjames.com}} * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000221714|label=Victoria Wilson-James}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson-James, Victoria}} Category:African-American women singer-songwriters Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:American dance musicians Category:American expatriates in the United Kingdom Category:American women pop singers Category:American house musicians Category:American contemporary R&B singers Category:British dance musicians Category:British women pop singers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Gary, Indiana Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:20th-century American women singers Category:21st-century American women singers Category:The Shamen members Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:Singer-songwriters from Indiana Category:Soul II Soul members

Victoria Wilson-James

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