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. Nickalus has contributed to the sound crew of over 15 short films and is actively involved in two independent feature-length films currently in production, along with a third in post-production as of August 2025.

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 a sound design studio in Phoenix, Arizona, under the mentorship of an Emmy Award-winning sound designer. This hands-on experience has allowed him to refine his skills as both a production sound mixer and re-recording mixer. He is currently working as a sound design assistant at the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center apart of Arizona State University.

Nickalus James is credited on IMDb and resides in Phoenix, Arizona.