EZEMDI

Ezemdi dealt with the harsh reality of feeling different as a child. Born with albinism, he was often a loner and made few friends while growing up. But he found enjoyment in playing instruments and was able to discover and hone his musical talents. Ezemdi spoke with rolling out about inspiring young people and why his new album was made to address the issues that females face when it comes to love. –a.r.

When did you get involved with music?

Growing up, I was albino and I was never comfortable with myself. It affected me in different ways. I dealt with it through music. I would zone out in front of a piano for hours. I realized that I wasn’t the only albino or person who doesn’t feel beautiful. My parents always told me that I was beautiful and to be confident in myself. I wanted to do music because there are people who have dreams and are afraid to pursue it because they aren’t confident.

What advice do you have for young people who could be suffering from low self-esteem?

I want to inspire kids by going forth and doing. When I was in high school, a friend asked me to talk to another albino. He wasn’t focused and was always getting into trouble. I was able to talk to him and I realized that I could make a difference in the lives of others.

What can we expect from your new album?

By Your Side is an album for women. A lot of the songs came from situations I was going through or women I knew who were having issues with their boyfriends. The album is saying that there are still a few good men who are out there. The CD comes out June 14. - 9:32 AM EDT 6/7/2011 by Amir Shaw

Intimate, smooth and heartfelt would be the comments made after experiencing the music of Nigerian born Ezemdi. The multi-musician, songwriter and producer is about to take the stage, releasing his new album in June 14th 2011 entitled “By Your Side.” He collaborated with Jared Jones and J Sell on the songs. Production credits go to Mark Geohagan and Ezemdi. “Take Off,” is the first single. Listen to a sample.

Coming to the U.S. at the age of 4, Ezemdi showed early signs of possessing musical talent, which his aunt recognized, resulting in his introduction to piano, guitar, organ and trumpet. By the age of eight, Ezemdi played along with the musicians at Bethel Gospel Assembly, Harlem NY on Sundays.

His condition of albinism affected his childhood greatly. He couldn’t play in the sun too long, which affected him playing with other kids outside.

“As a kid I use to hate that I couldn’t play with the other kids outside, I felt like I wasn’t normal and I wanted to be normal. I hated all the extra attention I needed.” Ezemdi Chikwendu.



Nevertheless, Ezemdi found his purpose and kept on the path. He attended Randolph High School in Massachusetts (his family relocated there after living in NY) and with encouragement from his music Teacher; Ezemdi developed his singing and learned to play the trombone. He then attended Berklee College of Music and developed his craft.

Ezemdi has been producing for several local artists as well as international artists. He has done production for various acts such as Staxx, V.I.P Cassie Cardel, Bebe Rexha, Kim Morrrell, Jared Jones, Chidinma Okebalama etc. Chidinma is a Nigeria recording artist that Ezemdi has done some work with. Songs like, “Show Me Your 32s,” and “Obimmo,” are currently getting airplay in Nigeria.

To check out Ezemdi’s music visit: Preview of “Cuddle.”

For further information please visit:
www.crazzehouse.com

- by SAM ARCHER on May 13, 2011 • 8:39 pm

Growing up, Ezemdi always knew he was different from other kids his age.

While most children were playing outside, he was forced to stay indoors because his skin was sensitive to the sun. He, unlike his peers, had albinism.

“I…was looked at differently by not even just kids, but adults [also],” Ezemedi told the AFRO in a recent interview. “So, I kind of always knew that I was different and I was uncomfortable in my own skin. When it came to [hanging out] with my [peers], I always wanted to blend in with them and just be a normal kid.”

But the experience didn’t get him down. In fact, it actually worked in his favor. Now, the 26-year-old is a talented vocalist, producer and songwriter.

“I remember a time when I was in elementary school and because I couldn’t go outside, I started playing on an old raggedy piano that was there and just started messing around with it,” Ezemdi said. “That’s how it all started.”

The Nigeria native, born Ezemdi Chikwendu, came to the U.S. at the age of 4. By the time he turned 8, he was already brushing elbows with professional musicians as he played piano at his church in Harlem. Shortly thereafter, he began picking up more musical instruments and mastered each of them.

In high school he discovered another talent. After experimenting with his voice, he and two other friends formed a group that performed at school basketball games and local talent shows. Ezemdi later attended Berklee College of Music and formed his own licensing company and then landed his big break when label owner Mark Geohagan signed him to Crazee House Records. - Crazze House Records

Ezemdi dealt with the harsh reality of feeling different as a child. Born with albinism, he was often a loner and made few friends while growing up. But he found enjoyment in playing instruments and was able to discover and hone his musical talents. Ezemdi spoke with rolling out about inspiring young people and why his new album was made to address the issues that females face when it comes to love. –a.r.

When did you get involved with music?

Growing up, I was albino and I was never comfortable with myself. It affected me in different ways. I dealt with it through music. I would zone out in front of a piano for hours. I realized that I wasn’t the only albino or person who doesn’t feel beautiful. My parents always told me that I was beautiful and to be confident in myself. I wanted to do music because there are people who have dreams and are afraid to pursue it because they aren’t confident.

What advice do you have for young people who could be suffering from low self-esteem?

I want to inspire kids by going forth and doing. When I was in high school, a friend asked me to talk to another albino. He wasn’t focused and was always getting into trouble. I was able to talk to him and I realized that I could make a difference in the lives of others.

What can we expect from your new album?

By Your Side is an album for women. A lot of the songs came from situations I was going through or women I knew who were having issues with their boyfriends. The album is saying that there are still a few good men who are out there. The CD comes out June 14. - 9:32 AM EDT 6/7 by Amir Shaw

EZEMDI, perhaps one of our most talented young musicians/singer/songwriters to surface in the music world (think Grammy Award Winner, Esperanza Spaulding and this year’s American Idol Casey Abrams) has taken on the extraordinary challenge with his latest debut album offering, BY YOUR SIDE (Crazze House Records) set for release June, 14 2011. The first single, “Take Off ” will be serviced to Urban/R &B radio next month. The Boston-based label is currently gearing up to launch, market and promote EZEMDI’S debut CD of romantic ballads and urbanized up and mid-tempo songs that will lead the Nigerian-born entertainer to a possible Grammy Award Nomination for 2012.


Ezemdi Chikwendu was born April 24, 1986, in West Africa (Enugu, Nigeria). At the age of 4, he was brought to the U.S and adopted by his Aunt, Dr. Ruth Onukwue for medical reasons. Due to his albinism, she wanted him to have the best medical treatment possible. She brought him to the U.S along with his mother, Elizabeth Chikwendu who gave birth in the U.S to Ezemdi’s younger brother, Enyichi Chikwendu. Due to his albinism, Ezemdi wasn’t allowed to be out in the sun very much. “As a kid I use to hate that i couldn’t play with the other kids outside, i felt like i wasn’t normal and i wanted to be normal. I hated all the extra attention I needed”. However, as time went on, instead of playing outside with the other kids he took to music. His aunt noticed his interest in music and began to encourage him by buying various instruments like a piano, guitar, organ, and trumpet. Ezemdi learned how to play all of those instruments that Dr. Ruth gave him. By the age of 8, Ezemdi was already playing the piano with professional musicians for Sunday services at Bethel Gospel Assembly, in Harlem, NY.


As time went on, Ezemdi’s entire family eventually came to the U.S. and moved to Randolph, Massachusetts, where the now teenager attended Randolph High School. He began focusing on music by playing the grand piano in the school’s auditorium every opportunity he got. He also learned another instrument—the trombone, at the encouragement of his music teacher, Dave Barry. It was also in high school that Ezemdi experimented with his voice. He and two other friends formed a group that called themselves, TRUE TALENT, performing at school football & basketball games, talent shows and town events. After high school, Ezemdi attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and formed a music licensing company, SPEAK E-Z MUSIC. While shopping for a music label, Ezemdi sign with Mark Geohagan of CRAZEE HOUSE RECORDS. Thus BY YOUR SIDE was born!


Ezemdi has been producing for several local artists as well as international artists. He has done production for various acts such as Staxx, V.I.P Cassie Cardel, Bebe Rexha, Kim Morrrell, Jared Jones, Chidinma Okebalamaetc. Chidinma is a Nigeria recording artist that Ezemdi has done some work with. Songs like, “Show Me Your 32s”, and “Obimmo” are currently getting airplay in Nigeria.”



Ezemdi’s upcoming new CD BY YOUR SIDE , produced by the talented musician himself and Mark Geohagan, with writing partners Jared Jones and J Sell , is an important musical offering for the Boston-based label. The young entertainer’s passionate and intimate delivery on this album will garner thousands of young adult listeners who will appreciate his unique musicianship and contemporary vocal. BY YOUR SIDE is a dazzling pairing of singer and material.


Mark Geohagan-CEO of CRAZZE HOUSE RECORDS and their marketing and promotional staff are confident that EZEMDI’S CD will appeal to a younger demographic as well as the 18-24 music lover who listen to R&B, Neo-Soul recording artists. The music label is now preparing a creative marketing/promotion/internet campaign that will involve street promotion strategies in various markets, as well as an extensive national retail campaign for the CD. EZEMDI will go out on a six city promo tour this summer in support of the new single and album.

Preview of “Cuddle” Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9hDcbKVVqY&feature=youtu.be&hd=1


For more information, visit: http://www.crazzehouse.com/ - Posted 19th May 2011 by Kiki Romeo