Career Timeline

A chronological timeline of the career journey of THE POET PHOENIX JAMES. Selected work and appearances include: Star Wars · James Bond · Marvel · BBC · Coca-Cola · Samsung · Volkswagen · FIFA.

1998 – Began performing poetry and spoken word live
Phoenix James started performing under the moniker Phenzwaan, laying the foundation for his career in spoken word and live performance. The start of what is now widely referred to as the ‘Phenzwaan Era’, and the first of the ‘Phoenix James Eras’.

1998 – Chupa Chups Men’s Modelling Competition
Won first place in his heat and third overall, performing a song for an audience reportedly of over 800, opening up opportunities in modelling and performance.

1999 – Hackney Empire Award
Recognised for Best Performance, highlighting his dynamic stage presence and early poetic excellence at one of London’s historic and iconic venues.

1999 – Joined hip-hop group Dark Foundation
Performed under the alias Progressive Elements, recording and touring with the group while contributing original rap poetry verses.

2000 – Farrago Zoo Award
Awarded Best London Poet, reflecting his growing influence in the UK poetry scene.

2000 – Dr. Martens Nationwide Poetry Prize Award
Honoured for Best Poetry Performance, marking national recognition of his work.

2000 – First spoken word album: THE A.R.T.I.S.T
Debut spoken word poetry CD album establishing him nationally in the UK spoken word scene, combining original music, lyrics, and live performance.

2001 – Dr. Martens Nationwide Poetry Prize Award
Awarded Best Writer, solidifying his reputation as a leading literary voice.

2001 – Meditations of A Cosmic Wordsmith
Released second spoken word poetry CD album, blending poetry, music, and ambient soundscapes.

2002 – Farrago Zoo Award
Named Best Slam Poetry Performance, cementing his status as a top UK slam poet.

2002 – We Will Survive
Released third spoken word poetry CD album continuing his early spoken word recordings.

2002 – Phenzwaan Live @ The Spitz
Fourth spoken word poetry CD album, capturing his live performance energy for a wider audience.

2003 – Farrago Zoo Award
Crowned Slam Champion, reflecting his competitive excellence in spoken word.

2003 – Inevitable Mystique
Released fifth spoken word poetry CD album under Phenzwaan, further establishing his early discography.

2003 – To Whom It May Concern
Self-published first limited edition printed poetry collection, marking his debut as a published author.

2004 – BBC Three Slam Poet 2004
First national television appearance, performing poetry on a pioneering BBC TV show.

2004 – Integration of poem ‘I Write’ into stage play Globaleyes
Commissioned to have his work featured in the Chicken Shed Theatre production.

2004 – Budapest A38 United Music Kingdom Festival
Delivered his first electrifying international performance aboard the iconic A38 ship on the Danube, captivating audiences and marking his global stage debut.

2004-2005 – Writing for Academy Films
Commissioned by Academy Films, leading UK production company, to write for two film projects, marking professional collaboration with a major production house.

2005 – Soul Baby Live Awards
Awarded Best Spoken Word Artist, and Most Votes Over all Categories, highlighting audience impact and popularity.

2005 – Bermuda Performance: Ruth Seaton James Auditorium
International performance, earning an award nomination and extending creative influence beyond the UK as a respected and recognised performer.

2005 – Like a Phoenix
Released sixth spoken word poetry CD album under Phenzwaan, blending spoken word and experimental music.

2005 – Alchemy Fluid Vol: 1
Seventh spoken word poetry CD album release, continuing his experimentation with sound and performance.

2005 – Alchemy Fluid Vol: 2
Eighth spoken word poetry CD album expanding his sonic exploration and poetic delivery.

2006 – Solidified
Ninth spoken word poetry CD album release, concluding a prolific period of foundational recordings.

2006 – 17 Cities Solidified UK Tour
Promoting release of his Solidified spoken word poetry CD album with first major self-organised spoken word tour.

2006–2010 – Modeling campaigns
Worked with major brands including Virgin, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Volkswagen, Ford, Sky Sports, FIFA, Budweiser, NatWest, Sainsbury’s; also appeared in music videos and independent films, diversifying media presence.

2007 – Fashion TV Award
Best Male Model, acknowledging his cross-disciplinary creative achievements.

2007 – The Undressed & Wild Observations, Sexual Exploits & Philosophical Meanderings of Phoenix James
Release of a digital ebook, a provocative publication blending raw sensuality, introspection, and philosophical exploration that expanded his literary voice beyond his debut.

2008 – Phenzwaan Now & Forever – The Definitive Collection (Double CD)
Released as a special double CD spoken word poetry album, marking a definitive closing chapter of the Phenzwaan era with an expanded body of work curated for physical release.

2009 – BEFFTA Award
Best Spoken Word Artist, reflecting international recognition for his craft.

2009 – Phenzwaan Now & Forever – The Definitive Collection
Released as the standard edition 41 track spoken word poetry album, widely available digitally for download, cementing the legacy of the Phenzwaan catalogue online.

2009–2011 – High-profile and independent film roles
Worked on both major movie studio and indie film productions, showcasing magnetic versatility on screen.

2011 – Fire & Divinity
Release of a digital ebook compilation of all written works since 1998-2003, demonstrating lyrical and narrative depth.

2012 – Skyfall (James Bond)
Appeared in this high-profile movie, marking his presence in major international cinema.

2012 – Cleanskin
Small but notable cameo, adding to his growing filmography.

2013 – Love Freely but Pay for Sex
Wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this mockumentary feature length film, receiving screenings at the British Film Institute.

2015 – Visited
Wrote and produced a retrospective-style mini short film inspired by true tales of possession and ritual.

2015 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Featured as a First Order Stormtrooper, capturing and delivering Lor San Tekka to Kylo Ren on planet Jakku; also appears in behind-the-scenes footage first revealed at San Diego Comic Con.

2015–2017 – Star Wars: On Tour Across the Galaxy
Participated internationally in autograph signings, fan photo opportunities, Q&A panels, talks, and meet-and-greet events at Comic-Cons and related fan gatherings worldwide.

2018-2019 – Video Blogging Period
Documented personal philosophy, creative process, memories, and daily life through long-form video and audio vlogs, expanding his digital archive and direct audience connection.

2020 – Volunteer: St John Ambulance First Aider and Logistics Support

Active service supporting the NHS during COVID-19, highlighting social responsibility alongside creative work.

2020 – A Patchwork Remedy for A Broken Melody
Released eleventh spoken word album, his first prose poetry album, expanding stylistic range and exploring new narrative forms.

2021 – FREE
Released twelfth spoken word poetry album, entirely musically self-produced and arranged.

2021 – Haven for the Tormented
Thirteenth spoken word poetry album released, showcasing further sonic and poetic mastery.

2022 – W̴i̴t̴h̴ ̴A̴l̴l̴ ̴T̴h̴a̴t̴ ̴S̴a̴i̴d̴
Fourteenth spoken word poetry album released.

2022 – Love, Sex, Romance & Other Bad Things
First collection in new self-published book series, exploring intimacy, relationships, and self-expression in accessible, thought-provoking poetry.

2022 – Route to Destruction
Second published poetry collection in the series, a frank and powerful exploration of human struggle, personal growth, and emotional catharsis through spoken word poetry.

2022 – Delirium of the Wise
Third published poetry collection in the series, brutally honest, thought-provoking poetry inviting readers to confront their own truths and inner journeys.

2022 – Don’t Let the Daffodils Fool You
Fourth collection published in the series, a lyrical, inspiring collection emphasising hope, ambition, and self-empowerment.

2022 – Call Me When You’re Free
Fifth poetry collection released in the series, addresses relationships, personal introspection, and societal observations with candid honesty.

2022 – Far from the Outside
Sixth book released in the series, a motivational collection offering reflection on fears, conflicts, and personal transformation.

2022 – The Ones We Didn’t Kill
Seventh book published in the series, early rhymes and poems demonstrating the foundations of his poetic identity and power as a modern-day Shakespearean voice.

2022 – Lessons from Everywhere
Eighth book released in the series, explores universal life lessons, self-discovery, and philosophy through accessible, relatable spoken word poetry.

2022 – Remixes Vol: 1
Fifteenth spoken word poetry album, featuring reinterpreted and remixed material.

2022 – Remixes Vol: 2
Sixteenth spoken word poetry album, completing the remix series.

2022 – Another One for Burning
Ninth poetry collection published, honest, frank, and open poems examining life, personal growth, and human connection..

2023 – A Long Bright Cold Dark Summer
Tenth book released, blends reflections on love, sex, relationships, and existential thought in a highly personal, lyrical format.

2023 – Shame Point Zero
Eleventh collection published, addresses vulnerability, self-exploration, and societal norms through candid, provocative verse.

2024 – The Sandbag Theory
Twelfth book released, a concise exploration of pressure, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape identity and survival.

2023 – Light Beams from the Void
Seventeenth spoken word poetry album released.

2024 – Soft, Sexy & Wet
Thirteenth poetry collection published, intimate and erotic poetry, offering insight into male desire, sensuality, and emotional openness.

2024 – Below Base Level
Fourteenth book released, a raw, introspective exploration of identity, resilience, and survival beneath the pressures of modern life.

2024 – To Catch A Passing UFO
Fifteenth poetry collection published, captivating exploration of personal experiences, cosmic reflection, and emotional connectivity.

2025 – Now We’re Truly Beautiful
Sixteenth book released, celebrates human strength, beauty, and resilience through an intimate, honest poetic lens.

2025 – We All Should Be Amazed
Seventeenth poetry collection published, a reflective meditation on existence, creativity, and the quiet, persistent weight of being alive.

2025 – The Love So Far
Eighteenth spoken word poetry album released, blending raw vulnerability with immersive, cinematic sonic textures that capture the full spectrum of human emotion.

2025 – A Trilogy Beyond Time
Three curated collections released simultaneously (Before When It’s Time, Amidst Time That Waits, Time As Always Was), marking the 20th published book milestone, each book uniting themes of time, memory, and transformation.

This timeline captures the defining milestones of a career in constant motion, a legacy of fearless creativity that continues to evolve across stage, page, screen, and sound.

BOOK & AUTHOR PLATFORMS

VIDEO & MULTIMEDIA / STREAMING PLATFORMS

SOCIAL PLATFORMS

SEARCH / PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE PROFILES

TOURING & APPEARANCES