Nickalus James was born in San Diego, California, and raised in South Florida. At an early age he developed a passion for music and poetry. Immersed in the local music scene, he began to develop his craft. As a young adult he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Following his military service, Nickalus returned to his artistic roots, pursuing a career in film and media. He is currently studying Film and Media Production at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School, Arizona State University with an expected graduation in Fall 2026. His focus is production sound and post-production sound design.

In 2024, he earned certification as an Avid Pro Tools Specialist and continues to apply his technical expertise and creative instincts across all his projects. In 2025 he interned at the Big U, the multi Emmy Award winning post-sound design studio in Phoenix, Arizona. This hands-on experience along with mentorship has allowed him to refine his skills as both a production sound mixer and re-recording mixer. He is currently working as a sound engineer with The Sidney Poitier New American Film School at the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center apart of Arizona State University.

Nickalus James has three younger children (Jayda, Arabella, Atlas) He is credited on IMDb and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.