Born and raised in Midway, James Barrett was a regular student at Liberty County High School when someone told him he had a gift for poetry and asked if he ever considered rapping.
Nine years later, Barrett, now known as 380, signed a contract with Low Country Management and said his career is starting to take off.
“He is signing with Low Country Management, Low Country Warriors Record Inc., out of Atlanta,” Attorney Tyler Randolph, of Arnold, Stafford and Randolph, said. “They will manage booking for live shows, appearances, publicity recording and the whole gamut.”
Low Country Management has launched the careers of Hip-Hop artists Monica and Rocko.
Randolph said the firm seems excited to represent Barrett, who he describes as a budding artist with a lot of promise.
“We hope to be the behind the scenes force to help him along the way and do what we can to help push him forward toward great success,” Randolph said.
Barrett said after he was told he should try rapping, he went to a friend who had a music studio in his house. Five hours later, he belted out his first tune.
“It all started from there,” Barrett said in a deep baritone voice not unlike Barry White’s. “It took someone else coming to me and telling me what I could do with this (his voice and poetry).”
The video for Barrett’s latest single, “Keep You Satisfied,” was released Sept. 8 on Youtube.com and has already been viewed 21,796 times. It has a four-and-a-half star rating. The video features another up-and-coming hip-hop artist, rapper D’Shon.
“The single has been in full rotation on Hinesville’s WOAH 106.3 FM,” Barrett said. “And it is available by request on 94.1 The Beat.”
Barrett said it’s been a long road, but he sees the contract as step two of what he expects will be a successful career. The first step, he said, was learning and understanding the complexity of the music industry. The rapper said he plans to mentor and help others on their journeys.
“This is my ninth year in the business,” he said. “If I can help provide them with some information, maybe they can make it in seven. Any information I can share with other artists … I hope it will make a shorter road for their career than the road that I took.”
Barrett said there were times he felt like giving it all up, but his family and fans motivated him to keep pushing forward.
He said his dream is to perform for a big crowd at the Georgia Dome.
Barrett writes songs for himself and other artists. He has done commercials and headlined at the local Summer Slam for six years.
A graphic artist, Barrett designed his own business cards and recording graphics. He’s a member of Hinesville’s Chosen Riderz Motorcycle club, a group known in the community for charitable work with local nonprofits.  
He said he is driven by the power of words and lyrics.
“I try to leave a message and try to prove what is going on in today’s society other than what people perceive it to be,” Barrett said. “And I want to be able to look back and see things that I’ve done in my career versus what I’ve been through in my career.”
“My heart is full,” James Galvin Barrett Sr.  said. “He’s been trying to work at this for a long time and I’m very proud. He never gave up. There were times when he would come to my house with a heavy heart and I would throw my arms around him and tell him to keep pushing.”
Barrett said they are planning a birthday bash at Revolutions on Dec. 11. He said celebrating by performing for his hometown fans is special for him.