Stezo facts for kids

Stephen Jerome Williams (born March 10, 1968 – died April 29, 2020) was a talented American rapper and music producer. He was best known by his stage name, Stezo. He made music that was popular in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Stezo's Music Journey

Stezo, whose real name was Stephen Williams, was born in 1968 in New Haven, Connecticut. He first entered the hip-hop world as a dancer. He danced for a famous group called EPMD. You can even see him in their music video for the song "You Gots to Chill." This song was from their 1988 album, Strictly Business. After dancing, Stezo decided he wanted to become a hip-hop artist himself.

In 1989, Stezo signed a deal with Sleeping Bag Records. This meant he could release his own music. He put out a song called "To the Max." Later, he released his first full album, Crazy Noise. Stezo was very involved in his music. He did all the rapping and even produced the songs on the album. His album was quite successful. It reached number 37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart. People really liked its funky sound and his strong rapping. Two of his songs from the album also appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart.

Even though his first album was a hit, Stezo didn't release new music for five years. In 1994, he put out a single with two songs, "Bop Ya Headz" and "Shining Star." Then, in 1997, he released his next album, Where's the Funk At. This album didn't get as much attention as his first one. In 2005, Stezo released a third album called C.T. (The Lost State). The "C.T." in the title was a way to honor his home state of Connecticut.

Stezo passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 29, 2020. He was 52 years old.

Stezo's Albums and Songs

Albums

• Crazy Noise (1989)
• Where's the Funk At (1997)
• C.T. (The Lost State) (2005)
• The Last Dance (2021)

Singles

• "To the Max" (1989)
• "It's My Turn" (1989)
• "Freak the Funk" (1989)
• "Bop Ya Headz" (1994)
• "Where's the Funk At" (1996)
• "Time ta Blow Ya Mine" (1996)
• "Mr S." (1997)
• "Piece of the Pie" (2004)