Kindred The Family Soul at Yoshi's Oakland

Kindred The Family Soul is simply Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler; artists, songwriters, lovers, and family. Both got their start as teenagers. Fatin produced his first released material with Bell Biv Devoe at 17 and Aja received her first recording contract from Delicious Vinyl at 14, these two “grew up” in the record business. In 1997 they were introduced via hip hop band, The Roots, production camp. Fatin was a hired gun to write songs for Aja’s solo project at the time. By the fall of 1998, they became husband and wife and while assuming the roles of a new couple and new parents, Fatin took a job selling appliances and Aja became a homemaker caring for their firstborn, Aquil. After being unexpectedly let go from his job the couple contemplated the future. ...

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Kindred The Family Soul is simply Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler; artists, songwriters, lovers, and family. Both got their start as teenagers. Fatin produced his first released material with Bell Biv Devoe at 17 and Aja received her first recording contract from Delicious Vinyl at 14, these two “grew up” in the record business. In 1997 they were introduced via hip hop band, The Roots, production camp. Fatin was a hired gun to write songs for Aja’s solo project at the time. By the fall of 1998, they became husband and wife and while assuming the roles of a new couple and new parents, Fatin took a job selling appliances and Aja became a homemaker caring for their firstborn, Aquil. After being unexpectedly let go from his job the couple contemplated the future.
They'd developed a strong creative chemistry for Aja’s solo project, so they decided to try performing as a team and Kindred The Family Soul was born. Performing weekly at the famed “Black Lily” showcase at a small club called The Five Spot, Kindred developed a reputation for electric live performances featuring a 10-piece band. Hustling parents of a toddler by day and ripping stages by night. This amazing event would, along with Kindred, foster careers from the likes of Jazmine Sullivan, Floetry, Jaguar Wright, Music Soul child, and a host of others. A regular patron/performer at the Lily was Jill Scott. She was close to releasing her classic first album and decided to introduce the president of her then label, Hidden Beach, to her friends Aja and Fatin. This introduction would change everything.
In 2003 Kindred The Family Soul released their debut album Surrender to Love. “ Far Away” and “Stars” both became the top ten urban adult contemporary hits and anthems for lovers everywhere. The album received a Soul Train Award and a BET Award nomination. The group began producing events and showcasing new talent as well. One such event was “The Upper Room” featuring a then-unknown, John Legend, and Jazmine Sullivan. All after welcoming their 2nd child Diya into the world.
Their second album, “In this Life Together” was released in 2005. The project's lead Single “Where Would I Be (The Question)” was a wonderful follow-up hitting the top 10 on urban AC radio and boasted crowd favorite, “Woman First”, an anthem addressing the sacrifices of women for their family and relationships.

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