 Born and raised in Oakland, California, Phesto met fellow Souls of Mischief member Tajai, as well as Hieroglyphics' founder, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, in junior high school.Tajai introduced Phesto to members A-Plus and Opio, and the group formed in high school before releasing their debut album, "93 'til Infinity" on Jive Records in 1993.As a rapper, Phesto is "renown[ed] for his crazy, and up-tempo flows.