Born and partially raised in Togo (west-africa),a french colony, Aj aka DaGriot learned quickly to hold his own after troubbles and political tribulations struck his country a few years ago; even before that the youth was impregnated by the major rise of the hip hop culture. Aj first started rhyming after he heard "South Bronx" by KRS ONE. Soon, he was scooped by a friend named Picolo, who wanted to get serious with music, after hearing Aj spittin for fun at a party. They founded "Blackness Hope", did a few gigs and had songs at the radio but, at that particular time they were getting sum buzz, nationally, political crisis started in their country, as in most african countries. The possee splitted up and everyone went their own way. Aj ended up in NewYork city, then Washington DC the crime capital where he spent the rest of his tough teenager years, adjusting to his environment, struggling with his mother and 2 sisters, trying to get situated. Later on he joined the military. He has almost been anywhere he could ever think of visiting, including Afganisthan after the 911 and Iraq a year and half later. Aj is currently in the process of getting out of the military and moving on. While in the United states he first wasn't sure if he should keep doing music, but seeing so much in a short period of a lifetime is overwhelming, and hip hop pretty much gives him a green light to deliver his messages, plus he felt in love with making beats. After doing a few gigs in Virginia beach and opening for Dragon (Ruff Ryders), he finally decided at a last Jayz concert in Jacksonville FL that this was it! He took his time over these years to study all the pionners of hip hop, and this multi-linguistic artist called "DaGRIOT" is now ready to take it straight to the top. A Griot is the real origin of hip hop, just as drums come from the motherland; back in the days in Africa, a griot was the walking CNN, going from villages to villages, tribes to tribes to deliver the messages to the people, he was well respected for his knowledge and wisdom, and whenever he spoke, EVERYONE LISTENED. Get ready for the African Bandit, GREATMINDS ENTERTAINMENT we coming!