Addict. Advocate. Author. Artist.
These are just some of the words used to describe New-Zealand born, London-adopted Rawiri James.
During recording sessions of his debut solo album, Lost Boy, Rawiri had an idea to use the lyrical themes of the record as the genesis of a YA supernatural thriller. Naming the 12 chapters of the book after the 12 songs on the album, James has created a unique, multi-format experience of his battles with identity, conformity and addiction. Hidden within the music videos are clever references to the novel.
The novel Lost Boy tells the story of a 16-year-old Brooklynite, who's struggles with emotional pain unlock both an unhealthy obsession with food, and an incredible, other-worldly superpower. When a young woman from his school goes missing, main character Mike DeVelli Jr. becomes a suspect. Alliances are formed, bonds are broken, and Mike's path to self-discovery becomes dangerous and deadly.
An established singer/songwriter and playwright, Rawiri James seeks to empower the disempowered - people of colour, LGBTQ+, the differently-abled - so that their voices are heard.