Born in Queens NY and raised in Hempstead, Grand Daddy I.U. grew up around music and was exposed to all different genres. When Hip Hop emerged, he was automatically attracted and was a natural on the Mic. Joining rhyme ciphers on the street corners, jail yards and eventually the studio - he made a demo with the encouragement of his brother, DJ Kay Cee, and got signed to Cold Chillin Records. After joining the label that introduced Juice Crew like Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan and more.