Higher Motivation Vol. 1: Lyrical. Life. Lessons.

I was born in Memphis, TN. September 27th, 1987 to Azuree Bobo and Damon Perkins. My story is quite distinctive because my mother conceived me at the age of 12. No one knew my mother was pregnant with me until the day of conception. And with my mother being so young, I was raised by both my grandfather Merriweather Giles Bobo and my grandmother Fannie Ruth Jackson. During my adolescence, I had many talents. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, music became a career. Because of my ability to balance my music and school, my mother allowed me to follow my dreams. I excelled through American Idol Season 4 at 17 years old and went 5 rounds out of 7 and eliminated Hollywood week. This was only the beginning. Idol opened many doors for me, allowing me to maneuver throughout the entertainment industry. My mother Azuree Bobo passed not long after. This left me with a responsibility to help my grandmother raise my siblings. 2016 my granny Fannie passed away. Life never got easier. My life was far from perfect. I suffered many tragedies, but God had other plans. I now have two beautiful daughters Azuree and A'nia who push me to be the best version of myself. Throughout life, I never lost faith in God. I never left God at home, no matter where I was headed. This gave me insight needed to show others how to maneuver through this life also. Through prayer and supplication, my life was made simpler. People always tell me I am extremely strong to have endured some of the things I have, but I just tell them that it is not me. I am only able to do these things through God who strengthens me. Aa'shia D. Jackson