Young AO's Page

Albert Okwasi Gorman will be known to music industry folks as Young AO, the Ghana-born, Toronto-raised rapper, who is steadily working to towards his career goals; one of which is to be amongst the most talked about hip hop artists to emerge from Canada this year. Having experienced the break-up of his family unit, briefly living in a shelter with his mother & step-brother and growing up in the rough Toronto neighborhood of Jane & Falstaff, he is determined to rise above any challenges that are propelled in his direction.

In 2008, Young AO honed into his entrepreneur skills and started an entertainment company, Topflight Entertainment, with a few of his close friends. To jump start his music career and generate anticipation for his appearance on the music scene, he released the appropriately titled, “Ready 4 Take Off!” mix-tape in March 2009, hosted by Infamous Soundcrew; featuring a few of his close friends (chubbz & singa breeze) + close affiliates. While he lets his music speak for itself on the streets, he remains a heavy presence in the studio, working on his follow-up project. He has traveled to New York & Atlanta with close friend and business partner T-Nyce, in preparation for the album release. During the visit, T-Nyce won the Beat Battle Championship; eyes and ears in a city that proves to be a hip hop mecca, would now be focused on Toronto. “I was inspired to see that although we were not from the city, the energy surrounding T-Nyce’s win was so high. It was all love even though we were not familiar faces”, Young AO says.

His first official song to debut on radio was 2007’s, Ghetto Walk It. The multi-talented rapper interned for Soze Brooks in 2006 as part of the popular city youth program, The Remix Project; which aids in the development of young aspiring artists in the urban sector. During his internship, Young AO crafted his skills as an engineer. Soze was very influential in helping the artist grasp a better understanding of the music business. Young AO continues to reach out to the mass of hip hop lovers not only in Toronto; also performing in Kitchener, Cambridge & Kingston. “My goal in the next 5 years is to be an international artist; I choose not to limit myself”, he states confidently. Martin Luther King once said, “Take the first step in faith. You do not need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”. Young AO is taking that step, as he is currently planning a trip back to his home-land of Ghana to collaborate with aspiring artists. With the next mixtape slated to drop during the later part of the year, Young AO stays hungry and focused. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Grateful for all opportunities that has come his way thus far, he knows this is only the beginning. Each time an opportunity to further his career presents itself, he will be ready.




Ayanna Williams