Veteran Hip Hop artist/dancer Steve “Stezo” Williams has reportedly died. Legendary New York City promotor Van Silk tells RealStreetRadio Stezo’s fiancée confirmed the news on Thursday (April 30) morning and noted the Connecticut native was suffering from heart issues. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 51.
Stezo made his debut as a dancer for EPMD, appearing in the video for “You Gots To Chill” from the 1988 classic Strictly Business.
But in 1989, he stepped out on his own in pursuit of a solo career and signed a deal with Sleeping Bag Records. His released his first 12-inch single “To the Max” and followed with his debut solo album Crazy Noise, which peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and included the single “It’s My Turn.”
Following Crazy Noise, Stezo retreated from the spotlight for roughly five years. But in 1994, he returned with the “Bop Ya Headz”/”Shining Star” single and followed up with his sophomore album Where’s the Funk At in 1997, although he failed to garner the success he found in the ’80s.
On April 22, Stezo shared an Instagram post promoting his barbershop business S & S Cuts in Charlotte, North Carolina. That would prove to be his final post.
A roster of Hip Hop artists are expressing their condolences on social media. Erick Sermon reacted on DJ Chuck Chillout’s Instagram page, writing, “NO WAY. Too much death around,” while Masta Ace replied with shock, “Whaaaaaat?! RIP..smh.”
Pete Rock, DJ Rhettmatic, Public Enemy’s DJ Lord, New York City radio legend Stretch Armstrong, Questlove, Planet Asia and DJ Premier are among the other artists paying their respects. Check out the reactions below.
R.I.P. STEZO
You Made Sure That "THERES NO WAY THAT THE CROWD COULD SIT DOWN"…
Condolences To Your Family?? pic.twitter.com/OjDMqocEhq— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) April 30, 2020
WOW!! R.I.P. STEZO ?? SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO WOW ? https://t.co/hXGmkyzFZW
— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) April 30, 2020
R.I.P STEZO!! It's my turn was the dance anthem back in the days!!
— planetasia (@planetasia) April 30, 2020
Rest In Peace STEZO !!! Another brother gone from the era I love the most. HipHop, rhymes, dancing, classic beats. It’s my Turn, To the Max, freak the funk…. Like EPMD said on Steve Martin “sick um champ!! .. Get um Steve, Get um Steve Get um !! RIP
— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) April 30, 2020
I never knew the brother, but he made some of the best records in one of the most competitive and innovative periods in hip-hop. Saddened to hear he lost his life. Thank you for the music, Stezo! ???
— Stretch Armstrong (@StretchArmy) April 30, 2020
very sad to hear of Stezo's passing. Crazy Noise was an exceptional album with some of the best production from that era . Beats, rhymes, dancing, style Stezo was so on point, plus gave us the "Steve Martin". most notable first time usage of Skull Snaps and Sly's "Rock Dirge".
— DJ 7L (@DJ_7L) April 30, 2020
Rest In Peace to Stezo. His song “it’s my turn”used to be my jam. When it was cool to dance at parties
— GuiltySimpson (@guiltysimpson) April 30, 2020
RIP Stezo. first made noise as a dancer for EPMD, but was NO JOKE as an MC. Crazy Noise is an unheralded classic. “It's My Turn" was the first time anyone used that Skull Snaps "It's a New Day" drum break. It became one of the most commonly sampled breaks ever. damn. pic.twitter.com/LQCevsKQ4e
— The Sicilian Shooter (Saifullah) (@vinnie_paz) April 30, 2020
rest in peace Stezo… his album was one of my favs to cut up. 2020 needs to be hindsight already… #ripstezo pic.twitter.com/mcrbBBLPrQ
— DJ JS-1 / JERMS (@DJJS1) April 30, 2020
Stezo Rest In Peace. Damn this is painful year.
— J-Zone (The Du-Rites) (@jzonedonttweet) April 30, 2020
Wow. RIP Stezo. Google him
— DAG SAVAGE (@DagSav) April 30, 2020
RIP the legendary STEZO. He defined ‘89 and I wrote about him here: https://t.co/19MtnnXkds
— Eso of Czarface (@Czarface_Eso) April 30, 2020
R.I.P. Steve "Stezo" Williams, dead at 51.https://t.co/TDTPLotjwZ
— Harry Allen (@harryallen) April 30, 2020