James Arthur is a British singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, England, who rose to prominence after winning the ninth series of the television competition The X Factor in 2012. Active from the early 2010s, his work spans pop, soul, and contemporary R&B, often featuring emotive vocal delivery and introspective lyrics. Arthur's recordings and performances commonly blend piano- and guitar-based balladry with electronic production and elements of hip hop-influenced rhythms; he is known for his expressive, gritty voice and for writing or co-writing much of his material. His career has combined mainstream chart success with periods of critical reassessment.