PHOENIX JAMES is a British-born, award-winning poet, author, spoken word recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator whose dynamic career spans literature, performance, film, fashion, music, and independent media. Widely recognised for fearless expression and genre-defying artistry, Phoenix James has built a powerful creative legacy that bridges page, stage, studio, screen, and digital platforms. He is a pioneer of live spoken word performance in the UK before the era of camera phones, and is known as a foundational figure in the UK and global spoken word movements.

He is often mentioned alongside pioneering spoken word artists like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Patience Agbabi, Lemn Sissay and Salena Godden for his foundational contributions to the UK’s live poetry and spoken word scene.

MONIKER AND EARLY CAREER

Early in his career in 1998, Phoenix James performed and released work under the moniker Phenzwaan, a name associated with several of his earliest spoken word albums and recordings. This period marked the foundation of his evolving artistic voice and experimentation within the spoken word and poetry scene.

WRITER & POET

Phoenix James is the author of 16 published books, exploring love, identity, vulnerability, power, masculinity, and spiritual and philosophical inquiry. His first limited edition printed poetry collection, To Whom It May Concern, was published in 2003. His work spans poetry, prose, philosophy, essays, and creative storytelling. His available book titles include, in order of publication:

Love, Sex, Romance & Other Bad Things

Route to Destruction

Delirium of the Wise

Don’t Let the Daffodils Fool You

Call Me When You’re Free

Far from the Outside

The Ones We Didn't Kill

Lessons from Everywhere

Another One for Burning

A Long Bright Cold Dark Summer

Shame Point Zero

The Sandbag Theory

Soft, Sexy & Wet

Below Base Level

To Catch A Passing UFO

Now We're Truly Beautiful

SPOKEN WORD RECORDING ARTIST

Phoenix James has released 18 spoken word albums, crafting sonic experiences that blend poetry, music, ambient textures, and emotion-driven performance. His current albums include, in order of release:

Phenzwaan Now & Forever: The Definitive Collection

A Patchwork Remedy for A Broken Melody

FREE

Haven for the Tormented

With All That Said

Remixes Vol: 1

Remixes Vol: 2

Light Beams from the Void

The Love So Far

Early CD Album Releases:

Phoenix James released a number of CD albums between 2000 and 2006 under his early moniker Phenzwaan. These include, in order of their release:

The A.R.T.I.S.T. (debut album)

Meditations of A Cosmic Wordsmith

We Will Survive

Phenzwaan Live @ The Spitz

Inevitable Mystique

Like A Phoenix

Alchemy Fluid Vol: 1

Alchemy Fluid Vol: 2

Solidified

These early works represent his foundational spoken word and musical expressions prior to the digital era, showcasing his pioneering contributions and artistic evolution.

With over 1,000 videos on his YouTube channel and more than 70 spoken word singles available on streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, Phoenix James' work continues to influence global audiences through digital distribution.

FILM & TELEVISION

Phoenix James made his first BBC television appearance performing poetry in 2004, marking an important step in bringing spoken word poetry to broader audiences through mainstream media. Since then, he has appeared in and worked on several high-profile international film and television productions, including:

Skyfall (James Bond)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Guardians of the Galaxy

Mission: Impossible

Cleanskin

Multiple BBC dramas and documentaries

He has also written, directed, and produced independent films, such as the acclaimed mock-documentary Love Freely but Pay for Sex, which further solidifies his legacy in independent media.

FASHION & MODELLING

Awarded Best Male Model by Fashion TV in 2007, Phoenix James has worked in editorial, runway, and brand campaigns that blend storytelling with style and presence.

COMMUNITY, COMMENTARY & LEGACY

Phoenix James has produced live events, hosted spoken word showcases, and delivered workshops empowering creative voices. Beyond creation, Phoenix James nurtures emerging voices and preserves his artistic legacy for future generations. As a cultural commentator and philosopher, his work interrogates themes of intimacy, race, masculinity, freedom, and creative autonomy.

ACADEMIC & EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE

Phoenix James’ work is used in academic institutions and educational establishments around the world for teaching, research, and cultural study. His writng, philosophy, poetry, recordings and performances are referenced in courses on modern literature, race and identity, spoken word history, and performance art. His contributions continue to be studied for their originality, social commentary, and cultural significance.

LASTING IMPACT

Phoenix James continues to champion self-publishing, ensuring full creative ownership and artistic freedom. His ongoing project, The Complete Works, is dedicated to archiving and preserving his vast creative output for future generations. His legacy is built not only on the impact of his words and work but on the pioneering spirit that made space for others to follow.

Phoenix James is an unstoppable ecosystem of fearless creative expression, a living, breathing force, documenting the beauty, relentless struggle, and uncompromising raw humanity of a life unfiltered.

Phoenix James lives in London, England and enjoys movies, music, plays, good food, long walks, and travelling.

Sign up to his website Newsletter Mailing List to stay up to date with Phoenix James news and new releases.

www.PhoenixJamesOfficial.com