About Jj Thames
The Makings of Hurricane Jj Thames
THE FEARLESS VOICE OF EMPOWERMENT AND PASSION
Jj Thames embodies girl power in its purest form—unapologetically feminine, fiercely body-positive, and overflowing with raw, unbridled passion. With her emotionally intelligent lyrics, electrifying stage presence, and fearless storytelling, she inspires both women and men to live boldly, love deeply, and dream without limits. Her one-of-a-kind voice is a rallying cry for strength, authenticity, and boundless self-expression.
JJ Thames – The Soulful Powerhouse of Blues, Soul, Rock, and R&B
A Genre-Defying Voice
JJ Thames (pronounced "Timms") is a vocal powerhouse celebrated as the "future of the blues"
and a torchbearer of soul. With electrifying performances, raw emotional depth, and a voice that
masterfully blends power and vulnerability, JJ has solidified her place as a leading figure in
contemporary blues and soul music.
Motown's Baby
Detroit Roots and Musical Beginnings
Raised in a General Motors-fueled household in Detroit, Michigan, JJ grew up surrounded by the vibrant sounds of Motown, jazz, rock, and gospel. Her love for music blossomed early, leading her to begin classical vocal training at just nine years old. She went on to perform with city and state honors choirs and shine in musical theater productions. As a teenager, she immersed herself in jazz, becoming the lead vocalist for her high school jazz band, hosting open-mic nights featuring spoken word poetry and hip-hop, and performing at local Detroit jazz clubs. Influenced by iconic artists like Etta James, Phyllis Hyman, Steven Tyler, Ray Charles, Billie Holiday, Al Green, James Brown, and Michael Jackson—along with ’90s hip-hop pioneers such as Mos Def, Queen Latifah, Digable Planets, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, and Camp Lo—JJ crafted her own unique sound. The result is a powerful and emotive blend of blues, soul, R&B, jazz, conscious hip-hop, and rock.
The Rise of a Star
The Birth of a Diva
After years of relentless touring and performing as a backup singer for renowned artists across genres—including reggae-rock, southern soul, jazz, and blues—JJ Thames stepped into the spotlight with her own unique voice. Her debut album, Tell You What I Know (2014), captivated audiences with its bluesy grit, retro-soul charm, and fearless vulnerability. Tracks like “Hey You” and “I Got What You Need” showcased her versatility, earning her comparisons to musical icons while establishing her as a distinct artist. The album achieved extraordinary success, remaining in the top three on the Billboard Blues Chart for 25 weeks and dominating the Roots Music Chart at number one for most of 2014 and 2015.
Mississippi Blues Diva
Grown Woman Blues
Her sophomore album, Raw Sugar (2016), further cemented her status as a blues and soul powerhouse. Debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart, the album’s deeply personal themes of heartbreak, resilience, and empowerment resonated with fans worldwide. Songs like “Hattie Pearl,” “I’m Leavin,” “Woman Scorned,” and “Oh Lord” became anthems for many, expanding her global audience and earning her over 50,000 monthly listeners and millions streams on Spotify.
The Hurricane
A Fusion of Styles
JJ Thames’ music is a dynamic blend of traditional blues, classic soul, and contemporary R&B, infused with elements of jazz, funk, reggae, and rock. Her ability to traverse genres while maintaining emotional authenticity makes her a standout figure in modern music.
Receiving Flowers
Accolades and Achievements
Over the years, JJ has earned an impressive list of accolades:
Her albums have topped Billboard Blues, Roots Music, and iTunes charts.
She’s been nominated for multiple Blues Blast Music Awards, recognized as a BET Music Matters Artist, and won six Jackson Music Awards.
JJ has shared stages with legends like Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, and Denise LaSalle, as well as reggae-rock and ska pioneers such as Fishbone, English Beat, 311, and Bad Brains.
She’s performed at prestigious events including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival and headlined major festivals in Brazil and Europe.
Her music has been featured in movies, commercials, and popular television shows, broadening her mainstream appeal.
A Renaissance woman
More Than Music
Beyond her achievements as a musician, JJ Thames is a multifaceted artist—an accomplished actress, prolific songwriter, vocal coach, serial entreprenuer, executive producer, and storyteller. As a survivor of personal and professional adversity, she uses her platform to empower others, particularly women, through her music and advocacy. Her fearless approach to addressing themes of love, pain, and redemption resonates deeply with her audience.