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Marcus Paul James

Brooklyn native Marcus Paul James (MPJ) was born into a Baptist family with a Panamanian DJ father. He was raised in the church and singing in the choir loft as soon as he could stand.

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BIO

Brooklyn native Marcus Paul James (MPJ) was born into a Baptist family with a Panamanian DJ father. He was raised in the church and singing in the choir loft as soon as he could stand. At home, MPJ was surrounded by the timeless voices of Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Teddy P and other R&B greats. The influence of these artists etched love for R&B, soul, gospel and tender ballads into his soul. MPJ has been writing music and creating harmonies since he was a young boy and continued throughout his college years at Penn State University. During his collegiate years, MPJ wrote for and performed with a 6-man acapella group named PRESSURE. Which quickly became popular enough to move the whole group to the NY area to work.


After growing as a singer/songwriter and with a love for new music and experiences in his blood, it was time for MPJ to leave the group. Using nothing but his soulful voice and eclectic flair he landed a role in the Tony Award winning phenomenon "RENT". His work was so well received that since RENT he's been cast in other Broadway hits "Motown The Musical", "In the Heights", "West Side Story" and even performed in "The Wiz Live" broadcast live on NBC. In addition to an impressive amount of work on Broadway, he released his first EP "Electrik Love" in 2007. The album was a soulful house album created with jazz prodigy and producer, Akira Shelton, that made a splash in the European electronic market with the title track getting radio plays and charting on the UK electronic charts. In 2010 he released his first full-length album "Meant To Be" under Silver Towers Productions, in which the title track went on to chart on the UK soul charts. From that album "Wonderful Love" and "Right Now" would go to hold 1st and 3rd on those charts for 5 consecutive weeks.

MPJ's music shines as the perfect balance of Soul, R&B, and popular music. A true Singer/Songwriter whose lyrics and music take your heart and ears to places few artist do. MPJ's recent releases "Living In Dreams" and "Romancipation Day" from his upcoming EP Paper Hearts, are a true testament to his vocal versatility and writing prowess.The Paper Hearts EP is a short collection of songs that share different shades of this thing called love. MPJ invites you to think of a paper origami heart, each angle has its own bends and story. He believes it's a misconception to think men don't have a vast array of emotions because he shows you, they do. It just may not be as visible. With Paper Hearts EP MPJ tried to make his emotions audible and resonate. MPJ worked with producers Akira Shelton and Jake Birch, mixing and mastering by Jeremiah Rosenthal from Blank Canvas Music and executively produced by Silver Towers Productions and that has proven to be a truly winning combination to create some amazing music.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Joe Flowers

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
First National Tour, 2021
Otis Williams
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2021
David Ruffin (Swing), Melvin Franklin (Swing), Otis Williams (Swing)
[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater New York Premiere, 2018
Ensemble
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Performer (Swing) [Replacement]
[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2011
Mr. Jefferson, Paul, and others
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2008
Ensemble [Replacement], Benny (Understudy) [Replacement]
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Christmas Caroler [Replacement], Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others [Replacement], Ensemble [Replacement], A Pastor [Replacement], Mr. Jefferson [Replacement], Benjamin Coffin III, Tom Collins (Understudy) [Replacement], Tom Collins (Understudy) [Replacement], Benjamin Coffin III (Understudy) [Replacement]

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Videos

News

RENT 30th Anniversary Concert Will Host a Behind-the-Scenes Pre-Show Livestream
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2026

The 30th anniversary concert celebration of RENT will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes pre-show for livestream viewers, hosted by Troy Iwata and Jay Armstrong Johnson, with Ricki Lake as red carpet correspondent.
Taye Diggs, Neil Patrick Harris, Rachel Zegler and More Join RENT 30th Anniversary Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2026

Rachel Zegler, Neil Patrick Harris, Norbert Leo Butz and Taye Diggs will perform in the RENT 30th Anniversary Concert, with a live stream available for audiences to watch.
Billie Holiday Theatre Reveals 2026-27 Season Featuring Lynn Nottage, Lillias White & More
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 3, 2026

The Billie Holiday Theatre has revealed its 2026-27 season, with programming featuring Lynn Nottage, Lillias White, Adriane Lenox, Marcus Paul James, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE Dance Company and more.
Listen: Marcus Paul James Releases New Single 'Beautiful'
by Stephi Wild - Aug 5, 2026

Tony and Grammy winner Marcus Paul James released a new original song reflecting on memories and the longing to relive meaningful moments from the past.
Marcus Paul James Will Bring ALL OF ME to The Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Jul 20, 2026

Broadway veteran Marcus Paul James, known for RENT and AIN'T TOO PROUD, will perform ALL OF ME at The Green Room 42, featuring Hamilton selections, Motown classics, and original charting soul music.
Norm Lewis, Robert Bannon and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 12, 2026

Next week, 54 Below, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Norm Lewis, Robert Bannon and more. 
Norm Lewis, Will Roland and More to Perform at 54 Below in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2026

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Grammy and Emmy winner Will Roland, Tony winner Norm Lewis and more. 
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 21, 2026- SCHMIGADOON! To Hit the Road and More
by - May 21, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 21, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
BROADWAY SINGS BEYONCÉ Will Feature Todrick Hall, Liisi LaFontaine, and More
by Stephi Wild - May 20, 2026

Broadway Sings Beyoncé announced a cast including Todrick Hall, Liisi LaFontaine, and Marcus Paul James for two performances at The Cutting Room, featuring hits from Beyoncé's catalog and Destiny's Child.
HITCITY: TEMPTATIONS EDITION To Play Queens Theatre In One-Day Motown Celebration
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2026

HITCITY: TEMPTATIONS EDITION, a concert revue celebrating Motown's 60th anniversary, will present Broadway veterans at Queens Theatre before a nationwide tour.
HITCITY: TEMPTATIONS EDITION Will Debut at Queens Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 6, 2026

HITCITY: TEMPTATIONS EDITION will premiere at Queens Theatre as a new concert series celebrating Motown. The production will feature Broadway performers interpreting songs by The Temptations and The Supremes.
Photos: Museum of Broadway Hosts Special RENT Event With Tim Weil
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 19, 2026

The Museum of Broadway recently hosted a 30th anniversary panel of RENT alums and a special reading of Making RENT: The Story Behind the Music that Changed Broadway. Check out photos here!
Review: Jinkx Monsoon's ORIGINALS SERIES Show Took Carnegie Hall by Storm
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 18, 2025

RuPaul's Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon led a sold-out night at Carnegie Hall on Friday February 14 as part of Carnegie Hall’s 2024-25 Originals series. The night was heartfelt, humorous, and always surprising.
Marcus Paul James Premieres New Single 'Your Time'
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 29, 2025

Acclaimed actor and singer-songwriter Marcus Paul James has released his poignant new single, 'Your Time. With the song, James delivers a deeply introspective and universally relatable conversation about love, self-awareness, and courage. Listen to it now.
Photos: Inside R.Evolución Latina’s I AM: UNA CELEBRACIÓN DE DOREEN MONTALVO
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2024

R.Evolución Latina has shared photos from the special cabaret event, I Am: Una Celebración de Doreen Montalvo. Go inside the celebration below.
IN THE HEIGHTS Original Cast Reunites For Mandy Gonzalez's SUNSET BOULEVARD Debut
by Michael Major - Oct 24, 2024

Mandy Gonzalez's first Sunset Boulevard performance featured a star-studded audience of her former co-stars. Original cast members of In The Heights were in attendance at Gonzalez's first performance as Norma Desmond, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson, Robin de Jesús, Janet Dacal, Joshua Henry, Andrea Burns, Javier Muñoz, and more.
Robin de Jesús & More to Join I AM: UNA CELEBRACIÓN DE DOREEN MONTALVO
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2024

Broadway stars will gather for I AM: UNA CELEBRACIÓN DE DOREEN MONTALVO, honoring the late actress's legacy. The event will feature performances and tributes celebrating her contributions to theater. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Amber Iman, Jennifer Damiano, Brenda Braxton, And More Join New Musical BEAPART Reading
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 16, 2024

Tony-nominees Amber Iman (Lempicka), Jennifer Damiano (Next to Normal), and Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe's Cafe), alongside Marcus Paul James (Ain't Too Proud), Marcus M. Martin (Aladdin), Jaime Cepero (SMASH) and The Voice finalist Brooke Simpson (1776), are set to lead the cast of BeAPart, a new musical about chosen family, gentrification, returning home, and the sweet, smoky love of barbecue.
THE AFTER PARTY Event Will Raise Funds to Save The Laurie Beechman Theatre and West Bank Cafe
by Stephi Wild - Aug 14, 2024

The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe will host a special one-night-only event, 'The After Party,' on Friday, August 16th, to benefit the fundraising efforts to save the iconic venue from closure.
Marcus Paul James and Michele Marie Roberts Headline Starring Buffalo's Curtain Up! Cabaret at Shea's
by Stephi Wild - Aug 7, 2024

Starring Buffalo and the Academy of Theatre Arts have announced the cast for this year's Curtain Up! Cabaret, An Evening of Songs with the Stars in the historic Shea's Buffalo Grand Lobby.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Marcus Paul James been in?

Marcus Paul James has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Marcus Paul James been in?

Marcus Paul James has not appeared in the West End.

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