BY Jenni Ruiza (@RuizaJenni)
Searching for great rap music is no easy task – especially when you’re looking for raw talent mixed with a little musical genius behind it. After searching for original beats and lyrics, I came upon rapper Chaz Van Queen. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he found his way uptown to Castle Hill and into Hunts Point. Often repping where he grew up, Chaz Van Queen’s unique voice sounds like a cross between Snoop Dogg (Lion, Snoopy…whatever his name is) and the classics of Jay-Z. With a style as laid back and jamming as a TLC video from the 90s. Check out my brief sit down with Chaz Van Queen – a name you won’t want to forget.
Q: Describe your music. What kinds of places would it take your listeners to?
A: That Stevie Wonder meets Slick Rick.
Q: What kinds of places would it take your listeners to?
A: I take listeners on a journey through themselves. I intend on inspiring people.
Q: When did you discover you wanted to be a musician?
A: Subconsciously, at 14 when I picked up guitar. Consciously, very recently I’ve been trying to openly embrace my musicianship as a part of my performance, not just when I’m the studio.
Q: What is your most defining moment as an artist?
A: I’ve yet to experience it.
Q: How does the Bronx get incorporated into your music?
A: I have sensibilities, experiences, and views on life that have been influenced by life Uptown. These overflow into the music effortlessly. Uptown vernacular (which is also the name of my collective with artists Tyquan Sounds , Dom o Briggs, and Cidninja) uptown style, etc…
Q: Do you feel that artists from the borough represent their home in an accurate light?
A: The ones who choose to rep it, yes. We all know some do not rep it at all, I respect it.
Q: What advice would you have for any up and coming musicians out there?
A: PRACTICE. TRAVEL. SHARE YOUR PASSION. DONT HOLD BACK. LISTEN TO YOUR SPIRIT.
Q: Any final words for the readers of Uptown Collective?
A: @chazvanqueen on IG and twitter. Soundcloud.com/Chazvanqueen for all my productions and songs. Uptown vernacular is the team. We rep u! Stay In touch. Show tonight in the Bronx.
Find out more about Bronx contributor, Jenni Ruiza, at http://www.jenniruiza.com/. Follow her on Twitter @RuizaJenni.
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