This is an atypical write up. I don’t typically write articles so important as this. This is in regards to one of Montana’s best rappers. It’s not about his music, but more his background, and the story behind his career as Chez.
Cheslon Michael Romero was born April 15, 1991, and is better known as Chez. Formerly known as Prodiga1, is a musical recording artist, performer, and public figure from Billings, Montana; Chez has an undeniable testimony when it comes to his music and life overall.
Chez was raised along with his older siblings by a single mother in an impoverished home. His mother regularly left him and his siblings alone for several days, due to her drug abuse problem. He recalled times when he and his siblings were forced to steal food and face the consequences of misdirected physical abuse. But, perhaps the most difficult hardship Chez faced as a child was being a victim of sexual assault, an experience he touches on in his music.
Chez was naturally drawn to music growing up, listening to and learning from artists like Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Pearl Jam, Tupac, & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. He began playing the guitar at age 11 which further opened the doors to his now budding musical career.
Chez was an excellent student in school. He qualified for honors courses and had no difficulty achieving straight A’s. Due to his troubled upbringing. However, Chez stumbled onto the path of selling/abusing drugs at the age 12. He faced multiple drug charges in the wake of this life choice. Due to that, he ended up dropping out at age 16.
Around the same time, Chez started producing. He and his friends would find spaces to jam in like a basement or garage and use borrowed musical instruments or equipment found through local pawn shops. Chez first pursued spiritual, Christian hip-hop with influences such as Matisyahu, Lecrae, Tedashii, and Timothy Brindle. He released his first Christian hip-hop album in early 2013 under the rap name Prodiga1.
The Spark Of Something Great
Chez started to experiment with secular rhymes in his music while teaming up with Poetic Intelligence mid-2013. They achieved a level of notoriety together that Montana has never seen, selling out multiple shows, chart-topping online music retailers, & inspiring a new wave of young Montana hip-hop artists. During his time with P.I., Chez released two solo albums.
Placing his dark past behind him, he continued to push the boundaries with his music. He even decided to change his rap name to “Chez” for obvious reasons. Shortly after the release of his fourth album ‘Kings & Queens’ (and first released under the name Chez,) he experienced the death of his newborn daughter, Ismaela Mae Romero. His many efforts to improve his image and change his life path crumbled and continued to spiral downward until he ultimately attempted to take his own life in late 2016. On the brink of death, Chez awoke to find himself in a hospital bed surrounded by his loved ones, friends, and fans. At that point, he decided to change his life for the better and has been sober since February 17th, 2017.
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The Payoff
Chez has found a new joy of life with sobriety. That of which has inspired him to relay the same message in his new music. This music dedicated to inspire and push a sense of security, positive self-image and hope in his listeners.
Chez owns and operates his own drywall and paints business in on top of pursuing a musical career. He was recently awarded a spot in the Billings Gazette’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2018, an annual celebration of community members who are nominated and acknowledged for their remarkable life stories and contributions to the Billings area. As of 2018, Chez has performed across the United States with notable artists such as Russ, Tyga, Lil Pump, The Game, Krizz Kaliko, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Famous Dex, Mark Battles, Kirko Bangz, Baby Bash, and Shwayze. His sixth studio album titled “In the Light of Dark Tragedies” is scheduled for release later this year.
NEW MUSIC
Chez just released his new single, “Dreams”, independently on Soundcloud. The track was produced by Moe the Natural. This is the first of many great tracks to come.
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