Blaze Ya Dead Homie

Blaze Ya Dead Homie

Blaze Ya Dead Homie performing in 2011.
Background information
Birth name Chris Rouleau
Also known as Cell Block
Psycho C
Born April 27, 1976
Origin Mt. Clemens, Michigan, United States
Genres Hip hop , Horrorcore
Occupation(s) Emcee
Years active 1996 – present
Labels Gotham Records 1996 - 2000, Psychopathic Records 1998 - 2013, Grundy Entertainment 2013 - present, Majik Ninja Entertainment 2014 - present
Associated acts Dark Lotus, Psychopathic Rydas, Twiztid, Anybody Killa, House of Krazees, Insane Clown Posse, Zodiac MPrint, Drive-By, Samhein Witch Killaz, The R.O.C. J-10, Kottonmouth Kings
Website TheDeadManBlaze.com

Chris Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, is an American rapper from Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His stage persona is that of a reincarnated gang member killed in the late 1980s, and his lyrics derive from the hip hop styles of gangsta rap and horrorcore.

Biography

Rouleau began rapping at the age of 17, while in Romeo High School, and performed at local clubs on the east side of Detroit.[1] Rouleau performed as a member of 2 Krazy Devils (with Skrapz) under the stage name Psycho C.[2] Rouleau's first big performance was at the Ritz in Roseville, where he and James Lowery opened for House of Krazees.[1] House of Krazees member The R.O.C. later produced 2 Krazy Devils' only album, Flipped Insanity, before the group disbanded in 1996.[2]

Rouleau joined several groups, but no material was released. When Rouleau was about to give up rapping, he was encouraged to join Psychopathic Records, where he initially started out as a member of Insane Clown Posse's road crew.[1][3] He appeared on Twiztid's Mostasteless album, and occasionally acted as a hype man in live concerts.[4] Rouleau joined Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas, performing in the latter under the stage name "Cell Block."[4] In 2000, Rouleau released a solo EP, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, establishing his character as a gang member killed in the late 1980s.[2] Rouleau toured major cities across the country to support the release, including a debut at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[4][5]

The LP 1 Less G n Da Hood was recorded and released in 2001, followed by continued touring and appearances on several Psychopathic releases.[5] On October 19, 2004, Rouleau released his second studio album, Colton Grundy: The Undying. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, #16 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #57 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #167 on the Top Internet Albums chart, and #167 on the Billboard 200.[6] Rouleau formed the group Drive-By with Lowery, releasing the album Pony Down (Prelude) in 2005. The following year, Rouleau contributed two tracks to the video game 25 To Life, which also featured music by Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, DMX, Geto Boys and Tech N9ne.[7] On August 21, 2007, Rouleau released his third studio album, Clockwork Gray. It peaked at #14 on the Top Independent Albums chart and at #34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[6] The album features Twiztid, The R.O.C., Boondox and Violent J. Twiztid, Blaze & The R.O.C. formed the group Samhein Witch Killaz. The song "Inside Looking Out" was a SWK song. Unfortunatally in 2011 the question was asked if there would ever be a SWK EP or full length album, and it was confirmed that SWK would not be putting out any EP's or full length albums. The R.O.C. & Blaze formed the group Zodiac MPrint, and the song "I'll Connect" was a Zodiac MPrint song. In late 2013 after Blaze left Psychopathic Records, he and The. R.O.C. started recording a new Zodiac MPrint cd, unknown if it's a EP or full length album. On The R.O.C.'s Twitter account he announced that he has been bumping the rough cuts to the new Zodiac MPrint cd around October/November 2013. The name "Skywalkers" has been thrown around as the title for the cd, but in the "Clockwork Gray" pamphlet there was a promotional picture of Zodiac signs and the upcoming Zodiac cd to be called "Horrorscope".

Rouleau's fourth studio album, Gang Rags, was released on June 22, 2010 and debuted number 52 on the Billboard 200.[8][9] While on the 2011 Drive-By Tour, he released Gang Rags Extended Version (Uncut + Uncensored).[10]

In March 2013, Joseph Bruce speculated that Blaze Ya Dead Homie had left the label. Blaze later spoke openly about the subject during a concert, stating that he had not departed from Psychopathic. ICP publicly apologized to Blaze via Twitter for the misunderstanding, but later confirmed during the Gathering of the Juggalos that Rouleau had indeed parted ways with Psychopathic. Later in 2013 Blaze did an interview with NE Hip Hop, saying that he had be hanging out with Strange Music in Kansas City, Missouri. He also went on to say that he wants to do some stuff with other artists he would like to work with, and also said that his fans will start seeing more of him after 2013. At the Days of Dead convention with Twiztid in early Februarty 2014 it was announced that Blaze Ya Dead Homie had signed with Twiztid's new record label. In April 2014 it was announced on Twiztid's official Twitter account that Blaze's "Gang Rags (Uncut & Uncensored)" will be rereleased in 2014 on Twiztid's new label. It was also announced that Blaze Ya Dead homie will be releasing two albums in 2014 if there are no major set backs. On July 19, 2014 Blaze Ya Dead Homie posted a picture on his official website showing that he will be releasing Gang Rags: Reborn sometime in late 2014.[11] In early August 2014 on Blaze's official instagram he posted a snippet of a new song on the album called "Fuck Shit Up". On August 22, 2014 on Blaze's official Facebook account, he released the official release date for "Gang Rags: Reborn" which is October 21, 2014. Also he released the official interview on his Facebook account. It was announced on September 12, 2014 by InGrooves that Twiztid's new label is called Majik Ninja Entertainment, and Gang Rags: Reborn's serial number will be MNE001. Gang Rags: Reborn charted at 106 on the billboard 200, starting Twiztid's new label off good. Blaze will be going on MNEs label with PSY artist Boondox titled "Back From The Dead Tour" with special guest Trilogy. The tour kicks off February 14, 2015, which coinsides with Twiztids 2nd annual "Be My Bloody Valentine Show", and concludes on March 11, 2015. It is also the first Majik Ninja/Psychopathic Tour, and the first Blaze/Boondox Tour since the "Stix & Headstones Tour" in 2011.

Style and influences

Rouleau's lyrical style derives from gangsta rap and horrorcore.[2][12] Rouleau's music strongly derives from late 1980s/early 1990s West Coast hip hop,[12] and sometimes incorporates elements of rock music.[2][12] Rouleau's influences include Insane Clown Posse.[13] Rouleau also enjoys the music of Kiss, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Journey, Twiztid, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Run DMC, N.W.A and Ice-T.[1]

Discography

For more details on this topic, see Blaze Ya Dead Homie discography.

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Back to his Roots". Psychopathic Records. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Cordor, Cyril. "Blaze Ya Dead Homie - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  3. ↑ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "Buried Alive". In Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (second ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. p. 444. ISBN 0-9741846-0-8.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Thug Back from the Dead". Psychopathic Records. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "One Less G". Psychopathic Records. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Charts and awards for Blaze Ya Dead Homie". Allmusic. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Back Again: Colton Grundy". Psychopathic Records. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Name Droppin". Psychopathic Records. December 1, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Week of July 10, 2010". Billboard 200. Billboard. July 3, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Exclusive Blaze Tour CD!". blaze.psychopathicrecords.com. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  11. ↑ http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/2014/07/blaze-ya-dead-homies-gang-rags-reborn-coming-late-2014/
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 James Zahn (June 24, 2010). "Blaze - Gang Rags (review)". Reviews. Kik Axe Music. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Blaze Ya Dead Homie - Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 1, 2008.

External links