Inoj (pronounced "I know J") began singing at age 7, performed with her high school's choir, and joined a group called Spellbound during her college years. With Spellbound, Inoj supported acts like Regina Belle, Hi Five and the Whispers on East Coast gigs. She also found work as a session singer around her hometown of Washington D.C. In 1998 she released two singles of her own, her debut "Love You Down" and a cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," which was also included on So So Def Bass Compilation Vol. 3. Inoj's version of the disco standard Ring My Bell appeared in 1999, followed by her debut album Ready For The World.