About

A.J. Crew is an artist, producer, and composer whose journey from Toledo's South End to collaborations with Grammy-winning artists reflects both resilience and versatility.

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Crew was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at age 8 - a reality that would shape both his perspective and his commitment to advocacy. After graduating from high school, he moved to Chicago to pursue music, attending Columbia College Chicago and later Roosevelt University. It was in Chicago where he connected with Soundscape Studios and released his debut street album “Nightmares & Daydreams” via RubyHornet.com. The Chicago Reader praised his "talent for punch lines and a way of mixing long lyrical with short chopped lines."

His collaborations span Grammy-winning artists like Rhymefest to indie Hip-Hop duo Kidz in the Hall, whose member Naledge appeared on Crew's 2013 mixtape “The Reality Of It All.” Through Converse's Rubber Tracks Global initiative, he recorded at OutKast's legendary Stankonia Studios in Atlanta, with the single "Vibes" pressed on limited-edition vinyl and distributed at Amoeba Music in Hollywood during a co-headlining show at the legendary store.

His feature on Clarence Clarity's "Rafters" caught the attention of Anthony Fantano's The Needle Drop, while his appearance in the NowThis-produced politically satirical table read of Stephen Bannon’s “The Thing I Am” (based on Shakespeare's Coriolanus) alongside Hollywood veterans Rob Corddry, Gary Anthony Williams, and Kate Berlant showcased his range as a performer.

In recent years, Crew has expanded his work to include composing for visual media and licensing, with music placed in programming ranging from Apple TV+ (“Greatness Code”) to children's networks. Beyond music, he remains committed to raising awareness and funding for Sickle Cell Anemia research - using his platform to support a cause that's deeply personal.

Based in Los Angeles, he continues to create music that bridges underground authenticity with commercial appeal, whether for artist projects or the screen.