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 at his home in North Carolina.[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.