Stezo
Steve Williams (born March 10, 1969), known by his stage name Stezo, is an American rapper and producer from New Haven, Connecticut.[1] He is the cousin of fellow New Haven rapper Dooley-O.
Career
Stezo first appeared on the hip-hop scene as a dancer for the group EPMD. 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 debut album Crazy Noise. Stezo handled all rapping and production on the album. It was fairly successful commercially, charting at #37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart,[2] and received praise for its very funky production and on-point rapping. The album's two singles both charted on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hip 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.
Discography
Albums
- Crazy Noise (1989) #37 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[3]
- Where's the Funk At (1997)
- C.T. (The Lost State) (2005)
Singles
| Year | Title | Hot Rap Songs[4] | Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop[5] | Dance Club Songs[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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" | - | - | - |