Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A 90 minute flight, but worlds away from New York City. The Bronx. The birthplace of hip-hop. These major cities have much in common. Both are the unofficial capitals of their country, they share a large west-indian community, as well as the meshing of sounds and cultures. Its only natural that hip-hops influence would transcend borders and reach the great white north and start to touch young people who would absorb the information like a sponge. Enter Agile aka Ajene Griffith. His story starts as so many others have. Began rapping along to street tales told by KRS-ONE and RUN DMC, and after a talent show win in high school he knew music was his passion. This is where the real story begins. One talent show turned into many, and the wins spread city wide! Born with that west-indian hustle, he wanted to capitalize on his new found fame and JLJ Productions (a DJ crew started with friends) was born. While his peers were stealing their brothers ID to get into parties, Ajene was DJing at the best venues in the city with Canadian heavyweights Starting from Scratch, DJ X, and MasterMind. All this at a time when there was NO urban radio, NO BET, and only a small, budding hip-hop scene in Canada. To be a part of hip-hop at its earliest stages in this country, is a contributing factor in Agiles popularity today. While DJing independently and with his crew, by the end of high school Agile began playing with popular college/commercial radio stations across the province and soon fell in love with the boards. Rapping was put on permanent hold, so that he could study the fine, technical craft of production. Many moons later, Agile and his unique sound (courtesy of an MPC 3000 & a Kurzweil K2000S) are in demand from the best artists to come from the US and Canada. No wonder, since his style can is comparable to the likes of the late J-Dilla, Pete Rock or Raphael Saddiq. Of course, his own cliques, BrassMunk and Big Black Lincoln get first grabs at the heatery and Method Man, Nas, Kardinal Offishall, Dwele, Jully Black & Ivana Santill have also been blessed with beats. His same homies from infamous cafeteria freestyle battles, would develop into BrassMunk where Agile acts as the DJ/Producer. BrassMunk first gained recognition doing sold out, national tours with likeminded groups such as Pharcyde, Beatnuts, and Snoop Dogg. They are one of Canadas premier rap groups who have received 3 Juno (Canada's Grammy,2000, 2003, 2004), 5 MuchMusic Video Award Nominations (2000-2004), and in 2002 BrassMunk were the first hip-hop group to win the Rising Star Award from the NXNE (Canadas most important showcase for indie artists). A new BrassMunk album and supporting tour is in the works, which should be huge considering Agile also just completed production for Heavens Caught on Fire, a phenomenal album from Big Black Lincoln, a collective of established singers, rappers and fellow producers. As if that werent enough, he is finishing up his anticipated debut solo album and has a few residencies at Toronto hotspots a few nights a week! Does this man sleep in the studio?? Y-E-S. With a strong work ethic, a reputation and repertoire that speaks volumes, there is no slowing down this multi-tasking, multi-talented workaholic.

Written By Nova Browning