Who Is J. Alphonse Nicholson?
J. Alphonse Nicholson is an American actor, percussionist, rapper, songwriter, and producer best known for playing Lil’ Murda, also called LaMarques, on STARZ’s P-Valley. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on July 6, 1990, Nicholson has built a career that moves easily between television, film, Broadway, off-Broadway theater, and recorded music.
His work includes an 18-episode run on P-Valley, a Broadway debut as Private C.J. Memphis in A Soldier’s Play, and film appearances in Just Mercy, They Cloned Tyrone, Southern Gospel, and Albany Road. He also portrayed NBA point guard Chris Paul in the 2024 limited series Clipped.
Music remains central to Nicholson’s creative identity. His Spotify tracks “Fallin'” and “Mississippi Pride” have each earned more than 5.8 million streams, showing how his screen work and percussion roots connect with his recording career. As of 2026, he continues to expand his work in acting and producing.
This guide explores the milestones behind Nicholson’s rise from North Carolina theater and drumming to acclaimed roles on major stages and screens. Written by Guest Posts.
Early Life, Education, and Percussion Roots
Growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, J. Alphonse Nicholson was surrounded by rhythm before he ever stepped foot in front of a camera. Standing 6 feet 2½ inches tall, his stage presence developed early, driven by a deep love for instruments. Long before his breakout television roles, childhood friends and family expected him to pursue music full-time as a professional drummer and percussionist.
His musical background gave him an intuitive sense of timing, cadence, and breath control—qualities that later became the backbone of his acting technique. Comprehensive biographical background on J. Alphonse Nicholson highlights that while his rhythm was innate, his formal introduction to the dramatic arts arrived unexpectedly once he entered higher education.
How J. Alphonse Nicholson Began His Artistic Journey
In 2008, Nicholson began studying theater at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). That decision reshaped his entire creative life. What began as an exploration of the performing arts quickly evolved into a dedicated passion for dramatic storytelling on both stage and screen.
Nicholson made his early acting splash in 2009, starring as the lead in Howard L. Craft’s stage production Caleb Calypso and the Midnight Marauders. From there, he honed his craft through regional theater work, including performances with the prestigious PlayMakers Repertory Company in North Carolina. Instead of leaving his musical background behind, he consistently integrated his drumming and percussion talents into his early stage and film characters, building a dynamic bridge between his musicality and his dramatic intuition.
The Creative Milestones of J. Alphonse Nicholson on Screen
After cutting his teeth on stage, Nicholson transitioned into screen acting, taking guest-starring roles in top-tier network and cable dramas such as Blue Bloods, Mr. Robot, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Chicago P.D., The Blacklist, and Tales. His ability to bring grounded vulnerability and undeniable intensity quickly caught the attention of major casting directors.
The Cultural Impact of Lil Murda in P-Valley
Nicholson’s true television breakthrough arrived with the critically acclaimed STARZ drama P-Valley, created by Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall. Spanning 18 episodes across its first two seasons between 2020 and 2022, Nicholson took on the complex role of Lil’ Murda (LaMarques), an aspiring Southern rap artist navigating street life, the underground hip-hop circuit, and a deeply emotional, clandestine queer romance with strip club owner Uncle Clifford (played by Nicco Annan).
His performance earned praise across the entertainment landscape for subverting traditional masculine tropes within hip-hop culture while showcasing raw, authentic humanity. Nicholson brought nuance, tenderness, and grit to the character, cementing Lil Murda as one of the most compelling figures on modern television.
Acclaimed Film Roles and Portraying Chris Paul in Clipped
Beyond his series-regular success on cable television, Nicholson has built an impressive resume on the silver screen and in streaming cinema. He delivered standout supporting performances in Warner Bros.’ legal drama Just Mercy alongside Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, Netflix’s sci-fi satire They Cloned Tyrone (boasting a 95% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes), and the faith-based drama Southern Gospel, which earned a 100% score on the Tomatometer.
On television, he portrayed real-life NBA superstar point guard Chris Paul across five episodes of the 2024 limited series Clipped, capturing the athletic energy and locker-room tensions of the Los Angeles Clippers’ controversial 2014 season. His film work continued with the 2024 drama Albany Road, where he starred alongside Renée Elise Goldsberry and Lynn Whitfield. As our team at Saratoga Living frequently tracks through Michael Hallisey joins team behind Capital Region Living and Saratoga Living, cultural narratives highlighting regional cinema and performing arts continually elevate our shared community landscape. For a comprehensive list of his filmography and projects, you can explore his verified filmography on IMDb as well as his profile on CINE5.
Stage Acclaim from Off-Broadway to Broadway
Despite his high-profile television and film commitments, Nicholson has never abandoned his theatrical roots. The discipline demanded by live theater remains the bedrock of his performance style.
Broadway Debut in A Soldier’s Play
In early 2020, Nicholson made his official Broadway debut in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece A Soldier’s Play. Directed by Kenny Leon, the landmark production featured a powerhouse ensemble including David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood, and Jerry O’Connell.
Nicholson took on the crucial role of Private C.J. Memphis, a gentle, guitar-playing soldier whose innocent spirit makes him the tragic target of internal military cruelty. Nicholson’s portrayal demonstrated his deep stage chops and musicality, earning glowing praise from critics and industry peers alike before the production went on to win the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.
Off-Broadway Masterpieces: Freight, Paradise Blue, and Sunset Baby
Nicholson’s off-Broadway resume is equally formidable, as detailed in his stage credits via Broadway World. One of his most celebrated stage achievements was starring in Howard L. Craft’s one-man tour de force Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green (presented by the New Federal Theatre and Fountain Theatre). In Freight, Nicholson single-handedly embodied five separate generational incarnations of an African American man journeying across American history, a display of versatility that critics hailed as masterful.
His other major theatrical engagements include:
- Paradise Blue (2018): Staged at the Signature Theatre, written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
- Days of Rage (2018): Produced off-Broadway by Second Stage Theater, written by Steven Levenson.
- Sunset Baby (2024): A revival of Dominique Morisseau’s gripping drama exploring family, activism, and generational divides.
- Seven Guitars (2015): Staged at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, directed by Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo.
To read more about his personal reflections and background as an artist, check out his early career interview on Meet J. Alphonse Nicholson – Voyage ATL Magazine | ATL City Guide.
Musical Career, Percussion, and Chart-Topping Singles
Nicholson’s creative range is rare in contemporary entertainment because his musical contributions are not merely a sideline hobby—they are fully realized professional recordings. As a lifelong percussionist, rapper, and songwriter, he performed his own vocal tracks on P-Valley, allowing the music of Lil’ Murda to break out from the screen into real-world streaming success.
His musical footprint expanded significantly when he collaborated with hip-hop superstar Megan Thee Stallion (appearing under her rap alter ego Tina Snow) on the track “Get It On the Floor” for the official 15-track P-Valley: Season 2 soundtrack.
Top Tracks and Discography of J. Alphonse Nicholson
On digital music platforms, Nicholson enjoys an active and dedicated following, pulling in over 61,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Fans who explore the J. Alphonse Nicholson Spotify discography can hear how his Southern hip-hop rhythms translate into multi-million-stream singles.
| Song Title | Featured Project / Release | Spotify Streams (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| “Fallin'” | P-Valley Soundtrack / Single | 5,972,325 |
| “Mississippi Pride” | P-Valley Soundtrack / Single | 5,861,526 |
| “When I Get Out” | P-Valley: Season 2 | 1,794,757 |
| “Seven Pounds of Pressure” | P-Valley: Season 2 (Original TV Series) | 1,794,328 |
| “Mississippi Pride (Extended)” | Extended Release Single | 1,335,210 |
Industry Recognition, Awards, and Future Horizons
Over his career spanning screen and stage, Nicholson has amassed 8 award wins and 5 major industry nominations. His work on P-Valley brought his talent directly into the mainstream awards conversation, earning widespread respect from his peers.
- NAACP Image Awards: Nominated twice for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Lil’ Murda in P-Valley.
- Black Reel Awards for Television: Nominated twice for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
- Theater Honors & Regional Accolades: Celebrated across New York and regional circuits for his stage versatility in A Soldier’s Play and Freight.
NAACP Image Awards and Critical Acclaim
Nicholson’s back-to-back NAACP Image Award nominations underscored the cultural resonance of his screen work. By bringing emotional authenticity, vulnerability, and raw power to a character navigating intersectional identities in the American South, he redefined the possibilities for dramatic storytelling on premium cable networks.
Upcoming Projects and Executive Producing
As of 2026, Nicholson is expanding his creative output beyond acting and performing. He served as an executive producer on the project If I Go Will They Miss Me (which holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), demonstrating his growing ambition behind the camera. With multiple upcoming acting credits across independent film and television, Nicholson continues to direct, produce, and champion original stories that challenge traditional boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role is J. Alphonse Nicholson most famous for?
J. Alphonse Nicholson is most famous for playing Lil’ Murda (LaMarques) in the critically acclaimed STARZ drama series P-Valley. His performance as an aspiring Southern rapper navigating romance and street life spanned 18 episodes and earned him two NAACP Image Award nominations.
Has J. Alphonse Nicholson performed on Broadway?
Yes. Nicholson made his Broadway debut in 2020 portraying Private C.J. Memphis in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama A Soldier’s Play, directed by Kenny Leon.
What are J. Alphonse Nicholson’s most popular songs?
His most-streamed tracks on Spotify include “Fallin'” (nearly 6 million streams) and “Mississippi Pride” (over 5.8 million streams), both originating from his musical performances on P-Valley.
Conclusion
From his early years as a dedicated percussionist in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the bright lights of Broadway and landmark roles on television, J. Alphonse Nicholson has established himself as one of the most versatile artists of his generation. By blending his musical roots with stagecraft and on-screen charisma, he continues to evolve as an actor, musician, and producer.
At Saratoga Living, we love celebrating dynamic storytellers who push artistic boundaries across sports, style, and culture. Whether you are tracking the latest performing arts milestones or looking for style inspiration through our exclusive Belmont Stakes lifestyle coverage, Nicholson’s inspiring creative path proves that staying true to your rhythm is the ultimate key to lasting success.
