'I hated everybody but now I want to inspire others'

AJ, a talented rapper from Sheffield, has faced numerous hardships throughout her life, including growing up in foster care, experiencing homelessness, and being involved in drug-related activities. Despite these challenges, she is determined to use her experiences to inspire other aspiring artists who may come from similar backgrounds. In a recent documentary that highlights emerging talent, AJ expressed her hope that by sharing her story, she can help young people from working-class areas feel a sense of belonging in the music industry. She stated, 'My purpose is inspiring young people that come from places like I've come from. ' AJ entered the foster care system at the tender age of three. Although she developed a loving bond with her foster family, she often struggled with her identity and the separation from her siblings, which was particularly difficult for her as a child. Reflecting on her early life, she shared, 'It's been challenging from me basically being born. ' AJ's biological mother was involved in a violent relationship and struggled with drug dependency, which left AJ feeling unwanted and filled with anger. She admitted, 'I hated everybody' and frequently questioned why her mother did not want her. This internal turmoil led to a lot of rage, and she often found herself in fights at school. Despite being a bright student, she did not care about her education at that time. AJ did not realize that her foster mother was genuinely trying to be a caring figure in her life. Music has always been a source of inspiration for AJ. Growing up in a disadvantaged area of Sheffield, she fell in with the wrong crowd during her teenage years and became involved with drugs. She explained, 'As a kid growing up from the area, you don't look up to people that are in offices with big cars. You look up to people that are on the shops, that are selling drugs. ' These individuals seemed to have a good reputation, flashy jewelry, and quick money, which made it easy for young people like AJ to idolize them. AJ recounted a terrifying experience when a gun was held to her head during a robbery. It took her a long time to realize that this lifestyle was not sustainable. She remarked, 'If you go into that life. you can't be alright, it ends one way or another. ' In comparison to her peers, AJ feels fortunate to have emerged from that life. After experiencing homelessness, she now appreciates her modest ground-floor flat and her dog. She expressed gratitude, saying, 'I walk in every day and I see my dog and I think we've done it. I'm thankful every day that I'm still breathing. ' AJ's story is featured in the documentary Slam City, which also showcases four other Sheffield artists who have faced their own challenges. She described the documentary as 'raw' and emphasized that it reveals the personal stories behind their music, including their backgrounds and what motivates them. Filmmakers Jack Godfrey and Dom Heslop aim to highlight the untold stories of underground artists in Sheffield. AJ's ultimate goal is to build a successful music career and use her platform to inspire other young people who have faced similar struggles. She stated, 'If I'm able to influence young people while I'm on these big stages going around the world, then that's my big picture.