Stephen Jerome Williams[1][2] (March 10, 1968 – April 29, 2020), known by his stage name Stezo, was an American rapper and producer.
Career
editStezo was born Stephen Williams in 1968 in New Haven, Connecticut.[1] He first appeared on the hip-hop scene as a dancer for the group EPMD.[2] He appeared in the video for EPMD's single "You Gots to Chill" from their 1988 album Strictly Business. After this experience Stezo sought a career as a hip-hop artist on his own.
In 1989, Stezo signed a record deal with Sleeping Bag Records and released his 12-inch single "To the Max" and eventually a full album Crazy Noise.[2] Stezo handled all rapping and production on the album. The single received some attention around the time it was released.[2] The album charting at #37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart,[3] and received praise for its very funky production and on-point rapping.[citation needed] The album's two singles both charted on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart.
Despite the success of his debut album, Stezo didn't release more music for five years. In 1994, he released the single "Bop Ya Headz"/"Shining Star". Then in 1997 he released his follow-up album Where's the Funk At. The album received little attention and did not chart. In 2005, Stezo released a third album, C.T. (The Lost State), paying homage to his home state of Connecticut.
Stezo died in his sleep on April 29, 2020, at age 52, from heart complications.[1][4][5][6]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Crazy Noise (1989) – U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums #37[7]
- Where's the Funk At (1997)
- C.T. (The Lost State) (2005)
- The Last Dance (2021)
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Hot Rap Songs[8] | Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop[9] | Dance Club Songs[10] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "To the Max" | - | - | 39 |
| "It's My Turn" | 18 | 57 | - | |
| "Freak the Funk" | - | 85 | - | |
| 1994 | "Bop Ya Headz" | - | - | - |
| 1996 | "Where's the Funk At" | - | - | - |
| "Time ta Blow Ya Mine" | - | - | - | |
| 1997 | "Mr S." | - | - | - |
| 2004 | "Piece of the Pie" | - | - | - |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Stephen Jerome "Stezo" Williams, Sr.Stephen Jerome "Stezo" Williams, Sr. March 10, 1968 ~ April 29, 2020 (age 52)". kelseyfh.com. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Stancell, Steven (1996). Rap Whoz Who: The World of Rap Music, Performers, Producers & Promoters. New York: Schrimer Books. p. 277. ISBN 0028645200.
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/artist/stezo-p214977/charts-awards/billboard-albums
- ^ Farrell, Paul (April 30, 2020). "Old School Rap Icon & Dancer Stezo Dies at 51".
- ^ Didymus, John Thomas (April 30, 2020). "Stezo dead: Tributes pour in after legendary rapper dies age 51". Monsters and Critics.
- ^ "DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Questlove & More Mourn EPMD Affiliate Stezo's Death | HipHopDX".
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/stezo/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-albums-b
- ^ "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.
- ^ "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.
- ^ "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.