Kindred the Family Soul is a Grammy-nominated adult contemporary R&B duo from Philadelphia consisting of husband and wife Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. The duo may not have achieved big hit singles, but they have built a devoted fan base that values their consistent commitment to producing relatable and sophisticated R&B music. Throughout their musical journey, Dantzler and Graydon collaborated on the majority of their songs, drawing inspiration from traditional soul and gospel roots. They infused their music with modern nuances by working with co-producers like Anthony Bell, Adam Blackstone, Vidal Davis, Andre Harris, Steve McKie, and James Poyser.
Both Dantzler and Graydon started their careers as individual artists. Dantzler, born in Philadelphia, initially made a name for himself by writing songs for Pebbles and Bell Biv DeVoe. Graydon, hailing from Washington, D.C., secured a solo contract at just 15 years old. The duo came together to write and perform music, eventually tying the knot and starting a family, leading to the need for stable incomes outside the music industry. Despite a stint as an appliance salesman, Dantzler returned to pursuing his music career. Their talent shone at the Black Lily club, where they were noticed by Jill Scott, who guided them to Hidden Beach Recordings.
Their debut album ‘Surrender to Love’ under the moniker Kindred the Family Soul was released in 2003 after a laborious two-year production process. The album boasted a remarkable lineup of collaborators, including Jill Scott, renowned string arranger Larry Gold, Bilal, King Britt, and the emerging talent Jazmine Sullivan, earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album. Kindred continued their musical journey with two more albums on Hidden Beach before switching to Shanachie. Their highest-charting release ‘The Arrival’ peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200 and number seven on the R&B Albums chart. Subsequent albums like ‘Love Has No Recession’ and ‘A Couple Friends’ showcased their versatility with collaborations ranging from go-go pioneer Chuck Brown to fresh talents like BJ the Chicago Kid. Their sixth album ‘Legacy of Love’ in 2016 solidified their position in the music scene, climbing into the Top 15 of the Billboard R&B chart.