Latest Review
September 6, 2024 
Worn & Wound has been a Brooklyn-based operation ever since its first post. We’ve got a lot of love for our location, our neighbors, and the culture that regularly pours out of this borough. So when we heard that one of Brooklyn’s own made this year’s top 20 of American Idol and that he’s a G-SHOCK super-fan, we had to have Ajii join us in our studio. Born and raised not far from us, Ajii is a first generation Brooklynite whose parents immigrated from Pakistan just prior to his birth. His colorful style, steel nerves, and serious pipes became the perfect backdrop for us to explore he all-new G-SHOCK GM2110D G-Steel.
Hey Ajii! Thanks for being the next subject in our ongoing series of Enthusiast Spotlights with G-SHOCK. Give us the quick bio on yourself and what you’re up to these days!
I’m so happy to do this, man. My name is Ajii. I am 28 years old and I’m born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I am a musician. I was on the most recent season of American Idol and now I’m chasing a dream and trying to make my parents proud. I think that’s what I’m about. And hopefully, with consistency and everything I’m doing, it pans out the way I want. So I’m just a poor man living in a rich man’s world, trying to do big things.
How and when did you start singing?
Yeah, absolutely. For me, it was definitely through family. My uncle and my father were old timer musicians in Desi and Punjabi music. I grew up listening to that traditional cultural stuff. I wanted to be like them, you know. I wanted to make my own songs, but I didn’t speak the language as well as them. So I started doing Western English music and that’s how it all started. I just wanted to be like my dad and my uncle. They were rock stars. They were probably the first rock stars I’d ever met or seen do their thing.
What made you decide to audition for American Idol?
Honestly, it was just a random thought I had, followed by a boost of confidence from my family, friends, and especially my coworkers here in Brooklyn. I did my thing and never could have imagined how it has gone. I think any artist would be so grateful for this trampoline, this momentum, and this validation to do this, God willing, for the rest of their life.
Your initial audition and your Hollywood Week rendition of Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” both made their way around the office. What are a couple of the standout memories from your American Idol experience?
I think that the main memories for me were the jam sessions with all those beautiful people. Imagine 60 unreal singers, dozens of guitars—from all walks of life—all singing and playing the same tune in pure, symbiotic harmony. It was like, nothing can match that. They don’t really show that stuff in the broadcast and that was easily the best thing about it.
When we first connected, you said that you’re a collector of all kinds of things—but that you collect and file songs, rhythms, and beats more than anything else. Can you tell us more about your collecting mindset?
I’ve been doing music for almost 15 years now. And yes, I now have my own music, but I started first by collecting a lot of records. I’m a sucker for a good story. And that’s what I’m looking for in the music I collect. If someone’s telling a story that’s true to them, you can feel it and I think that’s what it’s all about. That’s how it resonates. I love it when people show the journey, and I think my collecting mindset is just that… it’s about the journey.
You brought some of your favorite G-SHOCKs from your personal collection today. What was your first experience with the brand and what have G-SHOCKs come to represent to you?
When you’re growing up in the hip-hop scene, you know, fashion always played a part in that culture. And G-SHOCK has been right at the center of it. It’s definitely a part of the culture of New York and Brooklyn. It’s been a part of my life. I’ve been surrounded by everybody who, you know, flexes a new camo one or their latest collab. And then at some point, everyone was matching their G-SHOCKs with their sneakers and yeah, I just needed to be color coordinated too. So G-SHOCK has been a critical part of the culture for me growing up.
As you came into the Worn & Wound studio today, you got be one of the first to see these new G-SHOCK GM2110D G-Steel in three different colors. Can you tell us about your first impressions and your love of the classic “pop of color”?
Yeah, they’re sweet. The first thing that stood out to me the most was the color of the dials. They’re these light and soothing colors, but they just pop against the steel look. There’s also the calmness and the simplicity to the whole package. It feels like it can go with anything, Makes me feel like… dude, I can wear this to a barbecue, but I can also wear this if I’m going to a wedding.
G-SHOCK is a brand that is built on the principles of toughness, resilience, and bringing personality to the wrist. I imagine you definitely needed to be tough and resist negative vibes in a public setting like American Idol. How important is the concept of “look good, feel good” to you when you’re about to perform and how does wearing a G-SHOCK add to that confidence?
That’s one thing my father always told me growing up. He’s like, “If you feel confident in what you’re wearing, you’re going to have a smile on your face and that’s the best impression you can give.” And when I’m the most confident, I show up with a smile. I think that’s definitely what G-SHOCK‘s about too—confidence. It’s about showing up, being great, and always being on time. I think that’s my motto.
So what’s new for you, Ajii? What can we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
Oh yeah, absolutely. I definitely plan on dropping music by the end of the year. It’s going to be a single. I call it “Rich Man.” The song’s about a phone call I had with my mom where she was just like: “Hey dude, you better come back home after the show.” Because I decided to pursue the dream out in Los Angeles. And I told her I’m not coming home until I have something to come home with. That’s why I named the song “Rich Man.” It’s basically saying, if I were already a rich man, I wouldn’t have to leave you. But I gotta go get it for us.
Click here to follow Ajii and here to learn more about the G-SHOCK GM2110D G-Steel.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Shock-resistant structure
- Glass fiber-reinforced resin case covered with stainless steel bezel
- Stainless steel metal bracelet
- Mirror finishes applied to individual surfaces
- 20 bar water resistance
- Hand shift feature
- World time (48 cities)
- 1/100-second stopwatch
- Countdown timer
- 5 daily alarms
- Double LED light (Super Illuminator)
