James was not just a friend, but a mentor to many of us. He taught us about resilience in the face of adversity, about the importance of following our passions, and about the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. He had a special ability to make every person feel seen, heard, and valued. He could turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one with his infectious laughter, his insightful conversations, and his boundless generosity.

He was a man of integrity, whose actions spoke louder than words. James was there for us in our darkest hours, and he was there to celebrate our biggest victories. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved in return. He valued friendship and family above all else, and treated every person he met with kindness and respect.

His loss has left an emptiness in our hearts, but in this sorrow, we find comfort in the memories we shared, the laughter, the tears, the quiet moments, the loud celebrations. His spirit lives on in each of us, in the lessons he taught us, in the love he shared and even his music.

James was not just a friend. He was family. He was a part of us, and he always will be. let’s remember James for the happy smiley kid he was. And the humorous personality he always had let us remember the good times and forget the bad ones. His loss has created a void in our hearts that can’t be filled, but his legacy lives on in the memories we shared, and the lessons we learned from him.

Rest in peace, dear James . You will forever be missed, but your spirit will forever live on in our hearts. I love u so much brother I will forever miss you calling me your sister . - your lil sis hailey💝💝💝

I met him as Mr. Echo, in a group chat full of other wonderful artists. He always stood out, both as an artist and as someone to listen. I called him my little brother, because he’s the same age as my brother. He called me hermañita, because despite me being older, he was taller than me. Or he’d call me sibling, but never by my name— we were family and he made that clear early on. We’d talk almost daily, if not weekly. Secrets, stories, music. Any and everything was on the table, probably a little too much at times— but he knew I’d listen because he loved to talk.  I replay our last conversation in my head over and over, wishing I had pressed a little harder to see him when I was in town, but I know that all things happen for a reason. Our last conversation was full of nothing but mutual love and support. Us promising to talk to each other soon. Him making me cry and telling me that he’s proud of me. I listen to the audio messages saved in our Instagram chat almost every week. I know I wasn’t able to meet him in person, but I loved him fiercely. Both personas— James and Mr. Echo. I’m eternally grateful that I got to cross paths with him, even if only briefly. I hope to carry on his memory and make him proud. 

I love you Echito, mi hermañito. I hope you’re resting well and I hope your family is finding peace. 

To the pent house suite to the bench at the park I shall never forget your help on my road to change. To spitting lyrics walking back from where ever we was to chopping it up about the struggles of addiction, trauma, spiritual education. We might not have went through the same things but you always understood a persons pain. I’m grateful to have been on your journey my brother. 

Day one.