Taylor Austin James was born on May 15, 1987 in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Columbia, Maryland, later moving to Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland. At twelve years old he saw DJ Scribble on MTV, and his father bought him a pair of turntables for Christmas. After being taught to use them by his brother he started to DJ parties for his sister and friends. At age 15 he began interning at Unruly Records, a club music label based in Baltimore.