Bold splashes of colorful furniture, stylish streetwear and sneakers, and homages to WNBA athletes and hip-hop music have transformed the corner of Upper Alabama Street into a hub of expression, entrepreneurship, and education. Nicholaus Joseph Williams, better known by his stage name Trinidad James, has done his homework, and it’s apparent in his new retail store at Underground Atlanta.
Hommewrk is a space and apparel brand that, for James, echoes memories of the start of his career, which has evolved into a brand outside of the music scene. He worked in the same building 14 years ago at a store called Ginza, and in a corner at the front of the store is where he wrote parts of “All Gold Everything,” his hit 2012 song and debut single that catapulted him into fame. James said that the three years working at Ginza planted the seed of owning his own business one day.
Sitting on a mustard-colored couch in his store with a brown two-piece suit, gold boots and a gold pen necklace with ‘dad’ engraved on the cap, a plucked afro and bedazzled nails, the style —- inspired by greats such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Little Richard, Eddie Murphy and Morris Day—- is still as eye-catching as his gold teeth and jewelry were when hit the music scene. But since 2012, the rapper, songwriter, director, and business owner has evolved. From co-writing for female artists such as Kehlani and the City Girls to directing Muni Long’s music video for “Made for Me,” James has melted his gold into a brand that has spread into different avenues.
Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
“It’s always great to bet on the things that you’re passionate about, not just the things that you do. We have other ideas and other hats that we wanted to wear, but sometimes something else worked out,” James said. “I started here before music. I was in this store, working here, and loving fashion. So to be in here now, selling my own fashion, pushing my own stories, making my own sneakers it’s a blessing, but it’s also a lesson that I have to keep learning every day, because it’s still more goals I need to achieve.”
James established Hommewrk in 2020 with the goal of creating visual libraries of learning and referencing the past to build and innovate for the future. In February 2025, he opened the storefront in Underground Atlanta, another addition to a historical site revitalized by new development. “Do your homework” is the everyday proverb of the apparel store and brand, and every corner is an opportunity to implement it.
“‘Do Your Homework’ is a saying that I’ve always kind of just said coming up in this industry, because it was so much I needed to learn. I’ve only gotten better at the things that I actually did my homework in, that I actually put time into. And so it just felt right to translate that into clothing, into design, into intention, and that’s how we’ve been moving.”
James has brought together local talent and business owners, the majority of whom he built relationships with as a shopper himself. Some brands people can shop at Hommewrk include Wisdom Eyewear, 9inety3, Roygbiv, Four AM — a brand by SCAD students — and James’ own brand Hommewrk. His focus is community building and James shared he has collaborated with other Underground Atlanta businesses like Legends Barbershop and Dolo’s Pizza Co., worked with different nonprofits focused on food and housing insecurity, and is set to expand Hommewrk’s school uniform initiative to partner with local schools to provide students with exclusive uniforms.
His big aspiration is also for Hommewrk to become one of the city’s well-known hubs for mental health. He and his team host a wellness event called Reflection Sundays. It’s a time when creatives and entrepreneurs can come into the store, write their feelings on a piece of paper, place it in a jar, and participate in community therapy all while enjoying banana bread baked by his mom.
“I think that being able to build a safe space that has creativity under the umbrella, but the big overarching aspect of it is a safe space for entrepreneurs, creatives, women and the community is very important. Our goal is to build with the city of Atlanta on all tiers from the mayor of Atlanta and the streets of Atlanta because they all have a special part of me and identify with it.”
While cultivating this safe space for himself and others, James has continued to release music that reflects the same learning aspect he hopes to impart to others when they shop at Hommewrk. He revealed he has multiple projects coming out, each one a love letter to the cities that have supported him over the last thirteen years, from Atlanta, Houston, and St. Louis to New York, L.A., Detroit, and Chicago.
“I’ve just stayed a student when it comes to making music and art period, allowing each thing to influence the other thing. A great saying that we say in music is, ‘Don’t bore us. Take us to the chorus.’ I’ve learned to not waste people’s time when it comes to music,” James said. “I’m able to put out music — this is year 13 for me — that is being received well, but still challenging me to do better. I’ve been on my roller coaster, but enjoying it, because I don’t feel like I don’t know what I’m doing or I can’t accomplish what I want to accomplish. It’s attainable.”
James said Hommewrk is only the beginning, and he plans for more buildings and spaces in Atlanta — where it all began for him.
“I wanted to make sure I was back in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, standing on business. Not just what I’m saying out my mouth, but what I’m doing with product and buildings and things like this.
“I’m really just getting started, so I’m activated.”