Shakeem Durden (Sha-D) was born and raised in Asbury Park, NJ. Sha-D grew up in the rough streets of Asbury Park, NJ where drug dealers and gangs ruled the streets. At 1 years old Sha-D, survived an attempted murder. As bullets flew the Young Sha-D was saved by an older cousin just in the nick of time. As a boy Sha-D didn't forget about what could have been his fate. Starting as a young rapper at the age of 10 Sha-D would write rhymes as he would listen to his favorite artist.