Born on the southside of Chicago, Andre "Add-2" Daniels has used his gift with words as well as his passion for his community to change the reality that surrounds him. As a rapper/mentor/community activist, he created a free recording studio/music mentoring program for teens and young adults called "Haven Studios". Add-2 is currently the President of the Chicago Grammy Chapter and the first Black Professional Member to become President in the Recording Academy.
Add-2 has given a TEDx Talk, was the 1st Rap Consultant for the Goodman Theater, was named one AT&T's 28 Black Future Makers of 2021 and has worked with National Geographic, Red Table Talk, Apple, Vans, Boost Mobile, Redbull, Rollingstone, CBS, NBC, Nike, Adidas, LRG, TUMI, Tribeca Film Festival and more. Add-2 was recently featured in USA Today and is also the Regional Director of Guitars Over Guns and an adjunct professor at Columbia College teaching Audio History and songwriting
Add-2 takes pride in not only being an accomplished musician but also a music educator and mentor. As a professor at Columbia College, Add teaches an Audio History course he has developed titled “From Motown To Kendrick Lamar”. He also teaches Songwriting and has previously taught Hip Hop Symposium: Hip Hop Podcasting. Throughout Chicago he is known as a mentor through his work with youth organizations such as Guitars Over Guns, The Commonground Foundation, Young Chicago Authors, and more.
From Member, to GrammyU Mentor, to Governor and now Chapter President. Add-2 made history in 2026 by not only becoming 1 of 2 Professional members to become Chapter President but also the first Black Professional member to become President in the Academy’s 68 Year history.
