James Nyx Jr. (May 3, 1914 – July 16, 1998), sometimes credited as James Nyx, was an American songwriter for the Motown label. He co-wrote "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)", which became a #9 hit for Marvin Gaye in 1971.
Nyx was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but moved to Detroit in the 1930s, where he married twice and raised a family of eight children. He supported them through jobs requiring menial labor. At one time he was a resident of the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects, where notable figures such as Diana Ross grew up.His start in the music business was working as a janitor and handyman for Tri-Phi/Harvey Records, which was owned by the husband and wife team of Harvey Fuqua and Gwen Gordy Fuqua, sister of Berry Gordy.He began to bring lyric ideas to Harvey, who collaborated with him on a few songs, including 1961's "Grieving About A Love," recorded by Lorri Rudolph. and 1963's "What Can You Do Now" recorded by Harvey and Ann.When Fuqua sold his labels to Motown Records in 1963, Nyx came along, signing to Jobete Music as a songwriter, but also working as a janitor and an elevator operator. He continued to write with Fuqua, and also Marvin Gaye, but most of his early songwriting work was shelved.In July 1970, Gaye produced a song for The Originals, a Gaye/Nyx composition called "We Can Make It Baby."Nyx's real breakthrough came a year later, when Gaye needed collaborators to help with lyrics for his next project, the sessions that became the landmark album What's Going On. Nyx co-wrote three tracks on the album, "What's Happening Brother," "God Is Love," and most famously, "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)."
Motown left Detroit the following year, but Nyx did not go with them. He stayed and continued writing songs for a Detroit company named KellGriff Music. One such effort, 1974's "Outta My Life/I'm One Who Know" by the Brewster Crew on Lifeline records (T. Rodgers/J. Nyx Jr.) was arranged by David Van De Pitte, who famously did the orchestrations for "What's Going On."In the 1990s, samples of "Inner City Blues" were often used on R&B and rap records, providing Nyx with royalty income.
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Some of their strengths
James Jr Nyx has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Strong, Trustworthy, Sensual, Honest, Bold, and Confident.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, James Jr Nyx is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who looks for jobs that tend to reflect their identity.
Active and Precise
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know James Jr Nyx well know them as someone who can be tough, active, and sharp, like a sword.
Active and Ambitious
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe James Jr Nyx as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.
A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.
Intelligent and Leadership-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, James Jr Nyx is someone who is able to see things that others don't, and who can be an effective guide or mentor to others.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, James Jr Nyx tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of James Jr Nyx's challenges
While James Jr Nyx has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, James Jr Nyx can be Impulsive, Aggressive, Stubborn, Idle, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Short-tempered.
Stubborn and Idle
One of James Jr Nyx's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
James Jr Nyx must also exercise caution as they can be excessive and unrealistic.
Impulsive and Aggressive
James Jr Nyx is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, James Jr Nyx also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
