Stanley grew up in Flint, Michigan. He began singing at age three and took part in talent competitions including The Queen Latifah Show and Showtime at the Apollo.[1] He attended high school at Flint Central High School and graduated in 2005.[2] He signed with Bajada records, an independent record label, and studied at the University of Michigan. In college he released an album titled I 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 for Stellar Awards in the category New Artist of the Year.[7] In college he performed with funk band Groove Spoon and a cappella group Dicks and Janes. Stanley is a frequent collaborator and vocalist with the funk group Vulfpeck, 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 artist Common.[3][8] In June 2021, Stanley announced the collaborative EP Ascension with musician and producer Tyler Duncan.[9]
