Kindred the Family Soul is the husband-and-wife duo of Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler — artists, songwriters, and proud parents whose music celebrates love, family, and resilience. Both began their musical journeys as teenagers, with Fatin producing for Bell Biv DeVoe at 17 and Aja signing her first record deal at 14… Read moreShow less
Kindred the Family Soul is the husband-and-wife duo of Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler — artists, songwriters, and proud parents whose music celebrates love, family, and resilience. Both began their musical journeys as teenagers, with Fatin producing for Bell Biv DeVoe at 17 and Aja signing her first record deal at 14 with Delicious Vinyl. Introduced in 1997 through The Roots’ production camp, their creative chemistry evolved into partnership and marriage the following year. After Fatin lost his day job, the couple decided to perform together, birthing Kindred the Family Soul. Their reputation grew at Philadelphia’s iconic Black Lily showcase, alongside talents like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and Floetry. Jill Scott later introduced them to Hidden Beach Recordings, leading to their debut album, Surrender to Love (2003). The singles “Far Away” and “Stars” became top ten Urban AC hits, earning the duo a Soul Train Award and BET nomination. Their second album, In This Life Together (2005), reinforced their image as ambassadors of “Black Love,” with the hit “Where Would I Be (The Question)” and the anthem “Woman First.” The follow-up, The Arrival (2008), featured fan favorites “House of Love” and “Just the Way You Are,” known for their heartfelt music videos. Amid industry shifts, the couple turned to self-documentation with the 2009 web series Six Is It!, chronicling family life while expecting their sixth child. In 2011, they partnered with Shanachie Records to release Love Has No Recession, a socially conscious and critically acclaimed project compared to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. The album included “Magic” and the Snoop Dogg collaboration “You Got Love,” affirming their commitment to love and perseverance. To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, Kindred released a live digital album in 2013, followed by A Couple Friends (2014). The project included a companion short film directed by Jamal Hill and their first children’s book, Mama Said, “Clean Up!” That year also marked the start of two beloved community events in Philadelphia — Kindred the Family Games and Kindred the Family Reunion. In 2015, the entire Dantzler family starred in a national Walmart commercial celebrating family reunions — garnering over a million YouTube views and becoming one of the retailer’s most popular ads. Their 2016 release, Legacy of Love, featured the chart-topping single “All My People,” a timely anthem of unity and hope. The following year, they launched Kindred Presents, a web series spotlighting artists and cultural voices. Their 2021 album, Auntie & Unc, served as both reflection and manifesto — a celebration of two decades of partnership, growth, and purpose. “We’re OGs in this Black Loveconversation,” they say. “We’ve got wisdom to share, but life keeps teaching.” 2024 and beyond: Kindred continues to tour and inspire audiences worldwide. Their latest project, The Grand Life, released October 3, 2025, showcases their timeless soul sound with fresh energy. The new single — a heartfelt remake of Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “I Need You” — has already received rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
