Career
Poyser has written and produced songs for various legendary and award-winning artists including Erykah Badu, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Common, Anthony Hamilton, Doctorate"Angelo, The Roots, and Keyshia Cole. During his career, Poyser has toured and played live with such distinctive artists as Jay-Z, The Roots, Erykah Badu, and Aretha Franklin. An active session musician, he has contributed to the works of Adele, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Ziggy Marley, Macy Gray and Femi Kuti.
Poyser received a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Song in 2003 for co-writing Erykah Badu and Common"s hit "Love Of My Life." James was also the executive producer on Badu"s highly celebrated albums, Mama"s Gun and Worldwide Underground.
A longtime collaborator with the band dating back to Things Fall Apart, Poyser officially joined The Roots in 2009, performing live as the houseband for National Broadcasting Company"s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and subsequently The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He is sometimes used as comic foil, especially for his use of deadpan facial expressions.
Poyser also tours with the band and regularly performs at the band"s live shows. Mariah Carey - "I Wish You Well", "Mine Again", "When Christmas Comes" John Legend - Wake Up! Jill Scott - "Cant Explain", "Talk To Maine", "Exclusively", "Try" Sy Smith - "Deep Sleep", "Do Things", "Bruise", "Drop That" Esthero - "Melancholy Melody" Keyshia Cole "Number Other" The Roots - "The Lesson Participant III" Common - "*69", "Aquarius", "Between Maine, You & Liberation", "Common Free Style", "Electric Wire Hustle Flower", "Ghetto Heaven Participant 2", "Heaven Somewhere", "Jimi Was a Rock Star", "New Wave", "Soul Power", "The Questions", "Time Travelin" Anthony Hamilton - "Corn Bread, Fish and Collard Greens", "I Tried", "Don"t Get Maine To Lying" Corinne Bailey Rae - "The Blackest Lilly" Bilal - "Sometimes", "Bring 2" Doctorate"Angelo - "Chicken Grease" Eric Benet - "Love of My Own", "When You Think of Maine", "Spanish Fly" Lauryn Hill - "Superstar" Musiq Soulchild - "Someone", "Mother Father", "Real Love" Tye Tribbett - First Rate (at Lloyd's) Green - Lay lieutenant Down Jaheim - "In My Hands" Ruben Studdard - "Our Story" Eric Clapton Adele 21 Norah Jones The Fall Ziggy Marley Family Time Citizen Cope The Rainwater LP Roy Hargrove Strength.