Edinburgh’s Nigerian-born soul star James Emmanuel shares his recently released single, ‘Living and Winning’.
The track arrived laast month following a successful summer of festivals, including Love Supreme and Latitude, and two special Nile Rodgers & Chic support slots. This irrepressible, soulful, disco groove exudes positivity. James explains, “’Living and Winning’ is about remembering that sometimes simply showing up, getting up and carrying on, is a victory in itself. As long as you’re alive, there’s always an opportunity to change your story.”
Like all the best soul music, James’ songs build on his very personal and sometimes painful experiences as a platform for renewal, inspiration and hope. James’ story is one of building bridges, between his native Nigeria and his adopted home of Edinburgh; between the classic soul stars who inspired him and his new life as a 21st century rising star.
Listen to ‘Living and Winning’ on our Hibernian Fan playlist.
James was still a teenager when his father passed, and it was then that he left Nigeria in search of work to support his family. He moved around and never quite felt like he had a place to call home, until, that is, he stepped off the train at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. With no connections and no plan, he took the first job he could find, cleaning toilets and collecting glasses in a bustling bar. Singing while he worked, James caught the attention of those around him and before long he was the star of the bar’s open mic nights. From pub gigs to busking on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh gave him not just an audience, but a sense of belonging.
With a voice like James’, he was always going to get noticed. From winning The Spotlight Award at the Scottish Music Awards last year, to performing to adoring crowds at the Great Escape and the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, James Emmanuel has been winning fans wherever he goes, earning himself the nickname ‘Marvin Gaelic’.
James is set to make a guest appearance at the Royal Festival Hall for the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026 Opening Gala Night ‘Jazz Voice’ this Friday (November 13). He then returns to Scotland to close the year at the legendary King Tut’s in Glasgow for yet another sold out headline show – an evening which will be filled with joy, warmth and exceptional talent.
