Stezo

Stephen Jerome Williams[1][2] (March 10, 1968 – April 29, 2020), known by his stage name Stezo, was an American rapper and producer.

Career

Stezo 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. 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

Albums
  • 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
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
  1. "Stephen Jerome "Stezo" Williams, Sr.Stephen Jerome "Stezo" Williams, Sr. March 10, 1968 ~ April 29, 2020 (age 52)". kelseyfh.com. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  2. Stancell, Steven (1996). Rap Whoz Who: The World of Rap Music, Performers, Producers & Promoters. New York: Schrimer Books. p. 277. ISBN 0028645200.
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/stezo-p214977/charts-awards/billboard-albums
  4. Farrell, Paul (April 30, 2020). "Old School Rap Icon & Dancer Stezo Dies at 51".
  5. Didymus, John Thomas (April 30, 2020). "Stezo dead: Tributes pour in after legendary rapper dies age 51". Monsters and Critics.
  6. "DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Questlove & More Mourn EPMD Affiliate Stezo's Death | HipHopDX".
  7. https://www.billboard.com/artist/stezo/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-albums-b
  8. "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.
  9. "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.
  10. "Stezo - Chart history". Billboard.
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