What is your name/stage name?
– My name is Aaron Ashford, most people call me AJ. It’s nice to meet you! When it comes to my artistry, I go by Aaron J; ANAWETHA (AN-AWE-THA).
Where are you from?
– I was born and raised in Columbia, SC. Major shoutout to the 803! Nothing but love for the Met.
What do you do?
– I create. Primarily through rap as my expression of choice. I enjoy infusing singing as well as playing instruments whenever the feeling to do so is present.
How long have you been making music?
– I’ve been involved with music all my life. I began beating on mama’s pots and pans which led me to join the band. That was the basis of my adolescence. I continued being in the band all throughout high school into my freshman year of college. It was around 2018 when I began to actually get in the booth and work on the craft.
Who’s your biggest inspiration?
– Michael Jackson, hands down.
What genre of music do you create?
– Motown rap
What was it like working with The Publishing Collective?
– It’s still an ongoing thing and it’s beautiful. These boys really push me and inspire me to go harder. Anytime we work, the energy is crazy. Just having their ears and perspective is a blessing for real. I’m beyond grateful to not only work with them but have them in my corner as well.
What are some features you have?
– I’ve worked with various artists. Solo G; The Novelist (@sologtf), Damani the Rapper (@damanitherapper) and The Khidd (@thekhidd.jay) to name a few. The Khidd delivered my most recent feature on “Something Real” off of my 2021 EP, Training Camp. He brought a refreshing energy to the record and took it to another place for sure! You gotta hear that!
What are some features you want to get?
– Features I’d like to have? There’s a lot lol. The ones that are on the front of my mind right now are Blxst, Juhovah, Smino, Lucky Daye, Doechii, Cheeno Ghee, and Doja Cat to name a few.
Who’s one person, dead or alive, that you’d want to work with?
– It’s tough to limit that to just one, but I’d have to say Michael Jackson.
Are you signed to a label?
– Currently, no.
Do you want a record deal, a distribution deal, or none?
– I’m flexible. Truly it would depend on the opportunity and how it presented itself.
Who are your biggest supporters?
– My city and my brothers, the love has been unmatched.
Where did your name come from?
– Aaron J derives from my middle name, Aaron Jonah. I went through a lot of different aliases in the beginning of my career. Aaron J felt the truest and purest and it began to stick so I stuck with it. The second half of my name comes from realization after introspection. ANAWETHA is my own rendition of an author. Aaron J started to become known for rapping but there’s more to me than just rapping. I didn’t want limitations or boundaries to be placed on my art. That’s when ANAWETHA came into place.
What are you currently working on?
– Currently I’m working on preparing the rollout for my next single, “If I Had My Way”. Definitely looking forward to putting it out and seeing how people rock with it.
What is your latest release?
– My latest release was a single titled “Free Love”. If you get a chance to check it out, let me know what you think. Love shouldn’t come with a fee.
When is your next release?
– If I Had My Way. It’s forecasted to drop on the 16th of June.
music link:
– https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-the-times-right-ep/1507398073
Instagram / Twitter @ names
IG: Instagram.com/aaronjta
Twitter: twitter.com/aaronjta
