Featured Artist/Group: Wa’Jee/ Producer Profile: Issues

Wa’Jee was born in Chicago during the city’s most vicious and unforgiving times with a strong Islamic upbringing to keep him grounded. At the tender age of 6, Wa’Jee began performing at talent shows in 1995 and by 14, he was introduced to established underground global acts All Natural M.C. and Cap D. During their studio sessions, All Natural M.C. and Cap D began mentoring Wa’Jee. Under their 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. Through this opportunity, 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 Kenneth Johnson, who would later recruit him to their SOG Entertainment imprint.