J. Anthony Conrad was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 19, 1971, where he discovered a love for poetry at the age of fifteen. He was greatly encouraged by his grandmother to read the works of such poets as Maya Angelou, Paul Dunbar, and Langston Hughes. She also let him know to listen to motivational speakers such as Les Brown and Bishop T. D. Jakes. The thirty-six-year-old father of three is also the oldest of eleven children and enjoys listening to jazz, R&B, old school, and neo-soul music. These elements are what inspired him to write this poetic semi-autobiography.