Growing up in Atlanta was far from easy for AvaNu. His mother wanted to keep him from being a product of his environment so she would encourage him to participate in after school programs. AvaNu never had a relationship with his father however he was able to speak with him just 2 weeks before his death. At the time he was 12yrs old and didn't know how to cope with the image of seeing his father for the first time, in a casket. He began to write poetry later turning that talent into songs. His brother began to mentor him, teaching him how to manipulate words and phrases.