Stanley grew up inFlint, Michigan. He began singing at age three and took part intalent competitions includingThe Queen Latifah Show andShowtime at the Apollo.[1] He attended high school atFlint Central High School and graduated in 2005.[2] He signed with Bajada records, an independent record label, and studied at theUniversity of Michigan. In college he released an album titledI Can Do Anything.[3][4] The album reached number 22 on the U.S.Gospel Albums chart.[5] The album's third track, "Teach Me", reached number 29 on the U.S.Gospel Songs chart.[6] In 2008 he was nominated forStellar Awards in the category New Artist of the Year.[7] In college he performed with funk band Groove Spoon and a cappella groupDicks and Janes. Stanley is a frequent collaborator and vocalist with the funk groupVulfpeck, which is also composed largely of University of Michigan alums. He performs with Ann Street Soul and with Video 7, a genre-free musical collective. In 2015 he opened for hip-hop artistCommon.[3][8] In June 2021, Stanley announced the collaborative EPAscension with musician and producer Tyler Duncan.[9]
