James Poyser (born January 30, 1967) is an English-born American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, pianist, producer and a member of the hip hop band The Roots.
Poyser received a Grammy for Best R&B 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 collaborator with the band dating back to Things Fall Apart, Poyser officially joined The Roots in 2009, performing live as the houseband for NBC'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.
James Poyser
Production and Songwriting
Erykah Badu - "On & On", "Other Side of the Game", "Afro", "Sometimes", "Penitentiary Philosophy", "My Life", "Cleva", "Kiss Me on My Neck", "Green Eyes", "Bump It", "Back in the Day (Puff)", "I Want You", "Danger", "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", "Master Teacher", "Window Seat", "Out My Mind, Just in Time"
Jill Scott - "Cant Explain", "Talk to Me", "Exclusively", "Try"
Sy Smith - "Deep Sleep", "Do Things", "Bruise", "Drop That"
Esthero - "Melancholy Melody"
Keyshia Cole - "No Other"
The Roots - "The Lesson Part III"
Common - "*69", "Aquarius", "Between Me, You & Liberation", "Common Free Style", "Electric Wire Hustle Flower", "Ghetto Heaven Part 2", "Heaven Somewhere", "Jimi Was a Rock Star", "New Wave", "Soul Power", "The Questions", "Time Travelin"
Anthony Hamilton - "Amen", "Corn Bread, Fish and Collard Greens", "I Tried", "Don't Get Me to Lying"
Corinne Bailey Rae - "The Blackest Lilly"
Bilal - "Sometimes", "Bring 2"
D'Angelo - "Chicken Grease"
Eric Benet - "Love of My Own", "When You Think of Me", "Spanish Fly"
