Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbi James.
Hi Debbi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Debbi James. I’m a singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer, and I’ve been in the music industry for over 15 years. Music isn’t just what I do — it’s who I am. I’ve dedicated my life to this craft, constantly growing, learning, and evolving as both an artist and a person.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of working with incredible artists and performing on some of the biggest stages around the world. Since 2019, I’ve proudly been a lead vocalist for Enrique Iglesias, continuing to tour and perform with him globally while also building and developing my own journey as a solo artist. I’ve also had the opportunity to open shows for Jennifer Lopez on her “It’s My Party” tour, perform alongside one of my idols, the amazing Anastacia, and dance for R&B superstar Usher during his Las Vegas residency.
Balancing these experiences while creating my own path has shaped me in powerful ways and pushed me to become the best version of myself creatively, personally, and professionally. Above all, my passion has always been about connecting with people through music, performance, and storytelling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I moved to the United States when I was 18 years old, without speaking any English Hebrew was my first language. I always dreamed of doing music on a bigger scale, I used to watch all these artists on MTV growing up and dream I was one of them hahaha
But when I moved here, I realized very quickly that dreaming wasn’t enough I had a lot of work to do.
The first step was learning the language, not just proper English but also the slang and the culture. Then came one of the hardest parts which was understanding how the music industry actually works. I had to learn how to communicate, how to present myself, how to dress, and how to carry myself in rooms with major labels and established artists. That kind of knowledge doesn’t come overnight you earn it through experience, observation, and sometimes mistakes a lots of mistakes hahaha
Looking back, every stage I went through taught me something I needed in order to become who I am today. I’ve always been open to learning and always appreciated constructive criticism. I never saw it as something negative, but as a tool to grow. it was about staying humble, listening, and allowing every experience, good or bad, to build me into a stronger artist
The most essential skill, in my opinion, is having the mindset of a student. Telling yourself, “I don’t know everything, but I’m ready to learn and do the work no matter how hard it gets.” Because it will get hard. You’ll hear a lot of “no’s” before you hear a “yes.” But every “no” is part of the process.
Some of the biggest obstacles for me were the language barrier and just figuring out where I fit as an artist because I truly love all kinds of music Rock, Country, R&B, Pop you name it so figuring out what music I want to creat was a tough decision
Even now, I’m still learning and discovering what kind of artist I want to be and what music I want to create. That part never really ends.
But I’ve come to realize that this is actually the beauty of being an artist. The growth, the uncertainty, the constant discovery it’s what makes the journey meaningful. If you don’t let those challenges discourage you, but instead let them shape you, you’ll keep evolving and that’s where greatness comes from.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I recently collaborated with Delphi Music Group and released a new EP called The Rebirth, and it’s been receiving incredible reviews globally. I’m especially excited about this project because it represents me stepping into a completely new direction with my music what I like to call my “grown and sexy” era. The EP is a beautiful blend of funk, jazz, soul, and smooth vibes that feels authentic to where I am in my life and artistry right now.
One of the tracks on the EP, The Things That Were Said, was mixed by the incredible producer, composer, and remixer Soulpersona (Bryan Corbett) from London. The song has been getting a lot of attention in the UK and even reached #1 on the UK Soul Charts, which has been an amazing experience for me.
What makes this EP even more special is the story behind it and the timing of when it was created. I recorded these songs just days before I was suddenly hospitalized and rushed into emergency open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a deadly bacterial infection in my lungs that caused complete heart failure and multiple organ shutdown. At one point, doctors told my family and friends that my chances of survival were less than 10%, and even if I survived, there was a strong possibility I might never walk, talk, or sing again.
So being here today alive, healthy, back on stage, performing again, and able to share my story through music means more to me than words can explain. After everything I’ve been through, The Rebirth took on an entirely new meaning. It’s honestly surreal to think that if I hadn’t made it, this project would have been my final creation.
What I’m most proud of in my career is that as an artist, I don’t just create music I create experiences. My purpose goes far beyond performing songs. I truly believe music has the power to heal, inspire, and give people an escape, even if it’s only for a few hours. That connection with people is what means the most to me.
When someone walks into an arena, they might be carrying so much pain, or a loss, stress, depression, or personal struggles. My job is to help them forget all of that for a moment and give them a night they’ll never forget.
Music is healing. It’s a universal language that connects people no matter where they come from, what they believe in, or what they’ve been through. In those moments, none of that matters. We’re all just human, singing together, feeling something real. And to be part of that to bring joy, love, and happiness to people through music is the most rewarding feeling in the world to me.
What sets me apart is that I lead with heart and purpose. I don’t take a single moment on stage for granted. I believe this is my calling this is why I’m here. And if through my music and my performances I can help people feel even a little bit lighter, happier, or more connected, then I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Ohhh, Florida in general is one of my favorite states in America. I thrive in the heat, I love the humidity, I love being surrounded by nature, and the beach is definitely my happy place so having all of that in one place honestly feels like heaven to me.
I love living somewhere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation all the time hahaha.
The only thing I don’t love and I think everyone says this is how crazy people drive and the traffic
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.singerdebbijames.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singerdebbijames?igsh=MXQ5b3J4cTh5b2c2Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KfWzYKVr1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@debbijameschannel?si=5ApzYjqpQhVOzoBa
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6UXlsgavFFvR70JLCTQQ6u?si=HCIZgkAlTryjX5gH-4thBw
