A.J. (Hagage Masaed) born in Youngstown, Ohio. Spent 10 years in New York and moved to Oakland ,Ca. in 1995. "Worlwide" CD is A.J.'s fourth CD. AJ's sound has evolved from blending of the elements that have shaped his life. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Yemeni immigrant parents, and grew up listening to George Clinton, Heatwave, Earth Wind & Fire, Ohio Players, ConFunkShun, Cameo, Herbie Hancock, Sugar Hill Gang, Tupac, Ice Cube, Public Enemy,KRS1,and arab artist Abu Bakr Salem, Sameera Towfiq,and Eyoob Tarish. During high school he would spend his summers in Dearborn, Michigan, which is said to be the center of the 2nd largest Arabic community outside of the Middle East. It was the summers in Dearborn that infused AJ with a deeper awareness of Arabic culture, music, and his Muslim religion. AJ continues to write, record, and perform all over the WORLD.