Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A 90 minute flight, but worlds away from New York City. The Bronx. The birth place 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, Agile 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 Agile’s 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 city 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 Saadiq. Of course, his own cliques, BrassMunk and Big Black Lincoln get first grabs at the heatery and Nas, Method Man, 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.
BrassMunk are one of Canada’s premier rap groups who have received 4 Juno nominations (Canada's Grammy, 2000, 2003, 2004 & 2007), 5 MuchMusic Video Award Nominations (2000-2004), and in 2002 BrassMunk were the first hip-hop group to ever win the Rising Star Award from the NXNE (Canada’s most important showcase for indie artists). BrassMunk's second album "The FEWturistic" was released in March 2007 on 54th/Virgin Music. Highly praised by critics & regarded as one of the 10 must have albums of the year from Toronto (Now Magazine). Agile is currently at work with a collective of established singers & rappers finishing up his anticipated debut solo album. In May 2008 he leaked a single onto the internet featuring underground champions Frank-N-Dank of Detroit/J-Dilla fame. The track called "The Realest" was produced and mixed by the Toronto DJ/Producer. As a DJ, Agile has played numerous hi-profile events that includes;
*2007 ABA All Star Game in Halifax
*2008 Virgin Music/Nike Juno After Party in Calgary
*2008 Nike All Canadian All Star Classic
*2008 Major League Soccer All Star Game with Estelle
*Apple/itunes Canada End of Year 2008 Party
*Motion Ball Fundraiser & Fashion Gala
*Toronto Raptors Children Charity Events – Dec. ’08
*Black History Month NYE Gala ’09
*Stylus Awards Winner ’09 (Best Mixtape – ‘Toronto Love Jay’)
* “Cairo Time” Toronto Film Festival Event @ Boiler House
*Raptors Opening Day 15 Year Anniversary Launch @ The ACC
*Apple Canada’s 2010 “Run” Launch Event
Agile also has a few residencies in Toronto a few nights a week and is involved with the events MORE & The Main Ingredient. Does this man sleep?? N-O!!
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
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
