A product of Englewood, one of Chicago—Illinois’ most dangerous neighborhoods, Wa’Jee was born in 1989 during the peak of gang activity and violence. Raised the youngest of five children in a two-parent household, he developed wisdom beyond his years. “I learned about girls from my three sisters and the streets from my brother and his friends,” is the way Wa’Jee explains the impact of growing up with older siblings. Despite the negative influences of his brother and his environment, his parents strived to instill in him the values of education and Islam.

At the tender age of 6, Wa’Jee began performing in local talent shows. By the age of 14, Wa’Jee had found guidance in the underground global act Cap D, who began mentoring him in their studio sessions. Under his tutelage Wa’Jee learned how to structure songs, construct albums, and record. In his senior year of high school, Wa’Jee, along with other students from across Chicago’s public school system, was employed by Kennedy King College (KKC) Radio to operate and host a weekly radio show. It was through this opportunity that Wa’Jee would meet Ahmed Turner (the younger brother of Sunni’Ali Byrd-El, formerly of SOG Entertainment). Turner introduced Wa’Jee to Byrd-El and Ken Johnson, who would later recruit him to their SOG Entertainment imprint.

After the local success of his first project, Wa’Jee turned his focus back to the street. His reckless behavior caught up to him as he graduated high school and entered college. During his music hiatus, Wa’Jee was caught selling narcotics at his place of employment which resulted in him losing his source of college tuition money. He also lost a child by way of miscarriage and separated from a high school sweetheart.  He was arrested repeatedly, constantly involved in neighborhood disputes, and unresponsive the intervention attempts made by those who cared for him. After testing the depth of the rabbit hole, he realized that his lack of focus had become a major problem. It was only then that he contacted Ken Johnson in the hopes of getting back into the recording booth, convinced that choosing that alternative path would make a difference in his life.

In late 2007, Wa’Jee and Issues began recording their second project, Food, Clothes and Shelter (FCS), to add on to their local promotional schedules. The album took on a raw energy. Issues expanded his production by experimenting with live instruments and using production influences from a variety of genres. Wa’Jee capitalized on the new experience and continued to push the envelope in his lyrics by telling the story of his tumultuous life. With FCS, Wa’Jee and Issues seek to translate real life into music and with that, create a biographical album that will lend a strong sound to the Midwest. FCS will show the consumer that their continued dedication to quality and creativity has not been ignored nor will it go unrewarded.

Unsigned Hype Wa'Jee

Location: South Side Chicago

Urban Steez: Tell us your name, and what area do you represent?

Wa'Jee, Representing the southside of Chicago. Englewood to be exact!

Urban Steez: How long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry?

Wa’Jee: I have been serious since I was 14. So that would be about five years now.

Urban Steez: What were you into before music?

Wa’Jee: Before I met my manager, Ken, who put me on and supports me, I was into the gang, drug, and general street life. School was always a breeze for me, especially in a broken Chicago Public School system.

Urban Steez: Yea man glad to see you keeping it positive these days…As an artist how would you describe your style and why?

Wa’Jee: I think people will look at my style as a retro mid 90s lyricsm with an updated new school style. I am a great story teller and I tell my personal stories.

Urban Steez: That’s wassup!! If you had your pick which label to be signed to, which label would it be and why?

Wa’Jee: Well I am on a dope production company named Students of Game Entertainment, LLC. Ken wants to take the label through independent distribution stages and when the time is right and we have built a large following and are being recognized nationally, we will crack the mainstream at hopefully Sony BMG or Universal.

Urban Steez:Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and why?

Wa’Jee: I would collaborate with any artist considered to be an artist and not just a rapper who is chasing a hit. That is highly important to me.

Urban Steez: What are you working on now, and when can we expect to hear more of you?

Wa’Jee: Well, Food, Clothes and Shelter (FCS) is done and ready for distribution. Ken is networking and negotiating a couple investment deals with private entities to get better distribution behind the project. I am back in the studio working on my next gem. Its called Renaissance 20-10. It will be my first retail release. I promise once you hear the progression from Younger Frame, Older Mind to FCS, people will understand how crazy Renaissance 20-10 will be. Besides the genius Issues working on the project, other hot producers in Chicago and beyond have really been excited about working with the team.

Urban Steez: I heard most of it , its pretty hot fam!! Who are your influences?

Wa’Jee: My influences are all the musical giants of the 90s era. Most notably Notorious B.I.G.

Urban Steez: Yea the movie, “ Notorious” was a reminder of his impact on hip hop…What do you think of the hip hop / music world right now?

Wa’Jee: The industry is hurting because we don't know how to adapt to the digital age. For the most part, I am believer that when you put out good music people will respond. Everyone out there is not chasing hits but everyone is feeling the pressure. I think pressure is needed because it should make artists want to get more creative and innovative in their music.

Urban Steez: Very true! What will you do with your first royalty check?

Wa’Jee: Go into real estate while its still low.

Urban Steez: When you make it big, what car will you first purchase?

Wa’Jee: Chevy Avalanche. I dont need nothing too expensive.

Urban Steez: Yea keep it simple!!! The Avalanche is a gas guzzler tho….What's in your sound system right now?

Wa’Jee: I listen to a lot of 60s and 70s rock. Some new alternative. Any hiphop out the 90s. Of course, the 60s and 70s r&b/soul.

Urban Steez: What female in the game would you pursue first and why?

Wa’Jee: I wouldnt date none of these industry hoes. I am going to stick with that mediocre chick that has been with me since day one.

Urban Steez: I can dig that!! How can fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, PO box, etc.)??

Wa’Jee: Hit me on www.myspace.com/studentsofthegamellc or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Urban Steez: ANY SHOT OUTS???

Wa’Jee: I want to send love to everyone out there that bumps my music and spread the word. My family, Ken, Issues, DayKeeper, KO, Matt, Jamie, K-Miracles, Ms. Witt, Ahmed, Misha, E-Way and Sunni. All the producers that send me free beats, especially O-Zone and Vanysh for their contributions on the actual projects. I want to thank all the independent music and clothing stores in Chicago for their support on pushing my album. I want to thank all the promoters that offered me shows. I want to thank urbansteez family and Ameer for this opportunity. Love!

Wa'Jee- See Da Sun

Dim lights

Wa'Jee- Good Things

Dim lights

Free Download

http://www.mediafire.com/?3tf3zaet9nl Younger Frame, Older Mind...

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