Stezo: The Unsung Hip-Hop Pioneer From Connecticut Who Changed The Game
Discover the story of Stezo, the trailblazing rapper and dancer from New Haven, Connecticut. From touring with EPMD to creating iconic beats, learn how his music shaped 90s hip-hop and left a lasting legacy.
Jul 22, 202518.5K Shares363.1K Views
When Stezostepped onto the stage, he brought electric energy and funky beats to hip-hop. Born Stephen Williams in New Haven, Connecticut, he first made his mark as a dancer for the group EPMD. In 1989, he released his solo album Crazy Noise, which he produced himself and featured the hit "It’s My Turn", a track that helped define East Coast rap. He later dropped singles like “Bop Ya Headz” and albums such as Where’s the Funk Atand C.T. (The Lost State), cementing his place as a top pioneer from Connecticut. Even after stepping away from music, his legacy lived on, honored by fans and a mural in his hometown when he passed away in 2020.
Career
Stezo, born Stephen Williams in New Haven, Connecticut, first made his mark as a dancer for the hip-hop group EPMD. He appeared in their 1988 music video for “You Gots to Chill,” earning attention for his energetic moves.
In 1989, he signed with Sleeping Bag Records and released his debut album Crazy Noise, which he produced and performed entirely on his own. The album featured hit singles like “To the Max,” “Freak the Funk,” and “It’s My Turn,” reaching No. 37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart. The track “It’s My Turn” introduced a widely used drum break that became a staple in many 1990s hip-hop songs.
After a break of a few years, Stezo came back with the single “Bop Ya Headz” in 1994. He followed that with his second album Where’s the Funk At in 1997 and later released C.T. (The Lost State) in 2005, which paid tribute to his Connecticut heritage.
Stezo then stepped away from music and began working as a barber, opening a shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite leaving the industry, he remained respected in hip-hop circles and was honored with a large mural in the New Haven area after he passed away in April 2020.
His final album, The Last Dance, was released posthumously in 2021. It included tracks he had completed before his death and featured guest appearances from legendary artists such as LL Cool J, Pete Rock, Edo G, Special Ed, Just Blaze, and Chubb Rock.
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