Chaz Van Queen
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
The dude's tugging at Henri Rousseau in the cover art and William Gibson in the lyrics -- "born in a cyber-punk cesspool" might even be the song's most honest line, given Chaz Van Queen's synth-bap production and news of another media-barred Occupy raid. The song then shouts out Bill Hader and slides into a vocal groove I'm afraid to try and spell (moe ah dibb moe ah dibb do it?). - NBC
The conflict between reality and the virtual world has never sounded so good – “Technology” gets a funky facelift from its original ethereal nature courtesy of Brooklyn’s musical mastermind, Obey City. It also features prolific upcoming producer/recording artist Chaz Van Queen, who just released his kaleidoscopic Songs from Away last November. Never failing to start the party, Obey masterfully transforms Tecla’s whimsical contemplation into turnt-up spaceship revelry. Queen also serves as a flattering addition with his verse that’s both effortless and witty and a dynamic demeanor that grabs from the moment he coolly saunters in.
- URB Magazine
Spending all day with Kool A.D. (Das Racist) and Chaz at an NYC playground, you know it had to be a lot of fun. Chaz had this to say of the shoot, “We started late and finished early, things ran very smoothly. No ego, it was a collaborative effort with great ideas from everyone involved. What’s Protocol? came up with the Majerle and Antoine Walker jerseys for the basketball sequence and that no look alley-oop between Vic and I was totally unplanned.” We know you kind of wish you were there hangin’ too so check out the behind-the-scenes video for more fun. - Pigeons and Planes
Next up, Chaz Van Queen’s performance was noteworthy for several reasons. The inclusion of a talented trumpeter and saxophonist added a new vibe to the live sounds of the night, and along with an excellent drummer, enhanced his charismatic delivery. I’ve heard positive things about Chaz Van Queen, but hadn’t seen a performance yet. Many times, this can lead up to a letdown, but in this case, I was pleasantly surprised. The set took a particularly refreshing turn when Chaz Van Queen, strumming an acoustic guitar, donated a good portion of his set to allow MCs in the house an opportunity to spit a few bars as he and his crew played along. It was a stroke of hip hop chivalry seldom seem, and went on just long enough, with just enough talented MCs in the house, that it worked perfectly. Chaz Van Queen is an eclectic and talented artist whose performance made us, and surely others, vow to pay closer attention. - Birthplace Magazine
Discography
http://chazvanqueen.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/chazvanqueen/sets/asmileforyou
Photos
Bio
Chaz Van Queen is more than just a “rapper.” The widely-proclaimed “Stevie Wonder meets Slick Rick” proved so in 2010 when Songs From Away – his self-produced debut LP – garnered the atten- tion of producer Devo Springsteen (“Diamonds from Sierra Leone”). His self-produced sophomore LP, A:)4U, met similar acclaim, with two music videos (“Do You Like It?” featuring Kool A.D. formerly of Das Racist and “Everybody Hi!”) hitting the web since its late 2012 release.
Over the past six months, Chaz has shared the stage with Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era, Heems and Kool AD formerly of Das Racist, Camp Lo, The Underachievers, Homeboy Sand- man, and more. The lead artist of the Uptown Vernacular collective, he has produced and written songs for music artists throughout New York City.
Chaz’s story begins in Baltimore. After moving to the Bronx at age 7 and picking up the guitar at age 15, he made his way to Harlem where he now resides. The producer/MC/singer/songwriter has since developed a kaleidoscopic presence, blending a sonic array of sounds and genres into each track he touches. Chaz says of his creative process: “I try to accurately document experiences and emotions with harmonies, rhythms, etc.,” noting music’s “healing power” as a catalyst of creation.
Chaz is currently preparing his next two music videos (“And Still We Smile” and “Can You Hear The WOOP?!”), both of which are slated for summer release.
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