Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with ‘CHAZZY’
A rapper, a singer, an engineer, a writer — an artist. Hailing from California, CHAZZY isn’t precisely a new comer to the music industry. With a past of penning a hook for a Glasses Malone guested track, vibing in the studio with Young Maylay [Lench Mob] to working with Krondon of Strong Arm Steady, the studio presence for this young talent is needless to say, well put-together.
Being absent from the music scene as a forefront, taking time to engineer, write and reinvent himself, what may be new to you or what may be refreshing for you, is the most recent and upcoming project: MISS ME. Off the project was the first release, heavy hitting title track: “MISS ME”, which was then recently followed by the double drop of the more melodic and singing embraced records of: “MOON” & “SLOW MOTION”.
Having rocked iconic venues such as the Troubadour to the House Of Blues, from the Key Club to the Joint to the USC Campus — sharing stages with the likes of Pharaohe Monch to 9th Wonder to Aftermath’s Jon Connor — there is definitely a lot more in store for this rising artist. These upcoming times are definitely going to be all Chazzy & you can visit ALLCHAZZY.COM for further information.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in several places across California. I moved a lot as a child. As a kid, I was always into music. Very young age, in diapers, drum sticks in my hand…no drum set, but definitely the sticks, lol. Banging on the floor…the couch. My mother was heavy into my music, so it was always playing. My father and my uncle were in bands together, so I was always around it. In and out of their rehearsals. I would even jump on stage at their band practice, singing Pearl Jam songs, Soundgarden, KISS, ha. Until I grew older and it formed into its own thing. Something magical and piecing together the voices and sounds you have in your head.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
If you believe in yourself, simply, strongly, always believe in yourself. Do not, by any means necessary, let anything get you down or stop you from achieving your dreams or goals. Especially in today’s age, where everyone is an artist of some kind, and it’s become both easier but harder to shed light on yourself (technology) — just keep going. You have to spend money on your craft. You have to put in an obscene amount of effort and not expect anyone to put in the same for you. Work on it, put it out, work some more, put out some more. Network. Focus. Never give up. OH! And don’t listen to this nonsense that age matters. If you love music, make music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
It happens, of course. This is a good question, lol. I’ve never received this question before. I’ve flubbed a couple words before, it’s embarrassing, lol. But hey, we’re only human. It happens. Sometimes your mind is moving faster than your mouth. Sometimes you just draw a blank. Sometimes it’s the lights, the heat, the excitement. Luckily (and knock on wood), it hasn’t happened often to me and when it has, it’s just been a lyric or a couple words. I think you just gotta keep moving. Song goes on. Maybe during a quick break, make a joke about it. Crowd laughter and self-recognition of the mistake makes for bettering it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I have before, yes. Just know this, things will go wrong, lol. I’ve been late to soundcheck before. I’ve unfortunately arrived 5-10 mins before stage time. I’ve brought out some of my boys on stage and had mics go out — quickly toss each other one another’s. A lot of stage related things for me. Met a lot of people through shows, Crooked I, Problem, K-Camp, DJ Revolution. Good times either way!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I’m currently not planning on upgrading anything I personally own, I am happy with going to the two studios I currently associate with. I love mics and monitors. Work a lot with Nemann mics, I’m favoriting those right now, I just love the way it records my vocals. Gotta make sure there’s NS10s in my studio!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Today’s times make things a lot easier with promotion, with everything being right at your finger tips. Makes today what would have been back then labeled as “cutting corners”, maybe? It’s so easy to just throw a pic with some information or a, however long you’d like, snippet/video on Instagram. Make announcements via IGStories & SnapChat. Those situations work best when doing things myself. But I never cut out the blogs, the interviews, radio — whether it be online or XM (for myself, at least). But in the same vain, it’s become overcrowded and overflooded with artists of all kind. You have to stand out. Also, digital retailers such as, example: Apple Music and Spotify, are key.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Wow, what an amazing but hard for me to answer question. There are way too many artists I cherish. I’m going to split it up a bit! Because I can’t choose one!
Dead: I would have to choose either Chester Bennington of Linkin Park or Chris Cornell (of Soundgarden, Audioslave). They have both been idols and influences of mine for years. Their music took me to places I can’t explain. Their tones, octaves, vocal abilities, writing…purely phenomenal.
Alive: This is such a large list, ah. Eminem, surely. I’ve seen Eminem live and it was one of the most captivating performances I’ve ever seen. So much character and emotion. So…alive! And as far as performing in a place? I’m not sure. I’ll sick with the “who” for now.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Yes! I have 30-40plus songs that I have narrowed down into two projects. I am focusing on the first project which will be titled “MISS ME” and I previously released the first single of the same name off said project not long ago. I just, as of Aug 5th, released two more tracks: “MOON” & “SLOW MOTION”. I am personally very excited to get this new music out, as some of it is a large departure from the norm and what may be expected of me. Everything is and will be available via all digital retailers and easy access through my website, ALLCHAZZY.COM
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Either somehow still involved in the music industry, such as an engineer or writer, or I would delve deeper back into the Marijuana Industry, as I have before, and solely focus on that.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
More music and at some point, performances. As previously stated, I have a plethora of music on the way and I couldn’t be more pleased with what’s to come and couldn’t be having more fun than I am right now making it. And that’s whats important. If you’re no longer having fun with what you do, it’s time to rethink it.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
To all my friends and family that have been there for me through every hardship, every struggle, every point of up or down and stayed the same. To the people who stream the music, to the ones who reach out and to the ones who want to lend a helping hand. To the blogs, the interviewers, the tweets and retweets, the shares, the posts, the hands up at shows…can’t be who we are as artists without you.
To the people in the world who are still kind hearted, to those who care, to those who think wisely and outside the box — while we continue to live in this cutthroat world.
