Biography
Aljaray Gaston, later known professionally as Al Fatz, grew up under the care of his grandmother in Cleveland, Ohio. While attending high school he started writing rhymes and appearing at area talent competitions; the enthusiastic crowd response to his track “Hold Up Hold Up Mane” prompted him—still performing as Fat Al at the time—to lay it down in the studio. Those same sessions also yielded “Came Down,” which he promptly began selling to classmates. Powered by its memorable hook and rhythm, the song soon circulated through multiple Ohio cities. A subsequent collaboration with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Paul Wall on the basketball player’s theme song led to a contract with Atlantic Records. Copyright concerns surrounding Bill Cosby’s Fat Albert character forced him to abandon the earlier stage name, so he adopted Al Fatz and, in early 2007, pushed “Came Down” out nationally while preparing a full-length project.
Singles
