Living with an older sister, three older cousins (females), and a younger brother (six years junior) he often set out alone. Thinking he'd lighten the load of a struggling household, he decided to go live with his father, an ARMY soldier, at the age of 13. While stationed in Aberdeen, MD from 1998-2000, he grew accustomed to the east coast style and flavor. Never taking rap seriously, but more lik
e a hobby, he'd always freestyle with close friend Terrence Rambert (T). It wasn't until later for the hobby to become more of a focus. After Maryland, the youngster found himself across the country now living in Hawaii, where he would meet producer Benjamin Pounds (CEO of Pound for Pound Ent.), who would later introduce him to his now lifelong friend, Marlvin J. After hearing Sho rap and being in a real studio for the first time, the young protégé realized things were getting serious. Serious enough to where he earned himself a feature on Sho's solo album as "Kobayne", a performance at a graduation, and a performance at a night club at the age of 17 years old. This would soon come to an end, after leaving the crew and heading back to the "Sipp" to join the navy. All alone, fresh in the Navy stationed in San Diego, CA, the southerner met a Houston native by the name of "D-Wats" who was also trying to break through into the rap game. The two spent hours upon hours in Wats' barracks room recording in the makeshift studio. Recording freestyles, and versus on mix tapes became an everyday thing. This is also where he met the homies J-Mo, and DT(who was the first to call him "2K"). And once again, when things where looking promising, it all came to a screeching halt. He went on deployment, and members of the new found crew where no longer in the navy. With no way to record, no crew, and lack of motivation due to his short comings, the desire to be an artist was put on the shelf. With a daughter on the way, he began to focus on his naval career. While moving up the ranks as Petty Officer Smith, he noticed there was something missing. The navy was no longer for filling, he still had the itch to spit. Going back and forth with himself, wondering if he should give it another try or just ride his naval career out, he decided that the only thing stopping him was himself. To have closure with the idea of becoming a rapper, he felt he had to try and fail to know that he couldn't do it. While getting back to the music, he met a young airman from Chicago by the name of Brandon Stinson (Bentley), hustler by nature. He'd heard the Chi-Town native talk about business ventures, possible party promotions, and concerts, pretty much anything to create a greater revenue. Later hearing, that things had fell through for Bentley, he approached him with a proposition of the two starting from scratch and spear heading a movement and all business together, as a TEAM! After being introduced to Bentley's good friend Chris (Words), the trio hit it off and "THE TEAM" was born. Adding "WYKA"(pronounced "Y-K" and an acronym for "What You Know About") before "The Team" seemed fitting for the new act, as it asked a question, raised a brow and made listeners curious to find out. Juggling work, being out to sea, and out of state, it was hard to get together to collaborate. As luck would have it, and with an opening in all schedules, the three found themselves in DFabstudio recording three songs a session. This would be the first three songs, of many, that would soon lead to a slew of number one hit records for The Team... and well.....the rest is history.
