“I live and breathe hip-hop each and every day. My game plan is to redefine and expand Rap as an art form in Australia.â€
With a vicious flow and bringing a fresh element to the game is what it’s all about for this 22-year old rapper.
Born Stephen Nicholas Meza, Mr Mez is eager to show these Emcees how it should be done. His story is a sure sign of hip-hop’s ever-expanding appeal from its inner city roots. He has plenty to talk about using elaborate rhyme schemes with a new kind of story —a young entrepreneur immersed in hip hop, creating and finding his own way.
Hip-hop’s far-reaching tentacles had already snagged Mr Mez, giving him the confidence to go after his dream. He submerged himself in studying the masters — Biggie and 2Pac — crafting lyrics in the tradition of the great storytellers. “I rep C-town (Campbelltown) and Sin City (Sydney),†Mr Mez says. “I spit about partying, sex, true life experiences, and the trials and tribulations of trying to gain acceptance in an industry refusing to change. I rap about real and the ridiculous … from humorous incidents that go down in the hood to the injustices and disparities that occur every day in society.â€
“Everyone said I wouldn’t make it in hip hop, but I’m a stubborn ass kid. I had to prove them all wrong,†says the new voice of Sin City — a smooth, resonant and confident voice that strikes a nerve. With Australian hip hop heavyweight producers signing on, Mr Mez aims to change the rules with his undeniable skills on his debut album, FROM PIECES TO WEIGHT. The album, a chronicle of Mr Mez’ personal experiences, is a mash up of styles, regions and eras. “You can’t make something fresh, or spit a new style without paying respect to the people who opened the game for you,†he says.
Mr Mez place in hip hop started behind the piano, producing beats for various artists, but set aside music production it was after he recorded a verse on Intalekz’ album SQUARE 1, he shifted his focus from the piano to the mic, his second love. “My life is dedicated to telling stories, whether its in songs or in movies, or in any other medium.†He also focused his energy on the business side of the operation, launching PUSHIN KEYZ with his cousin Alex “LA†Gahona and long time best friend Alex “Intalekz†Mosquera, together they are working on releasing new albums by the start of 2009.
“My goal in the music business is to gain acceptance throughout the industry. Some people forget that hip-hop has touched everyone on this planet. What I rap about are real life experiences – disappointment, failure, success, drugs, sex, partying, financial woes, love, social, economic, judicial and political chaos – the type of problems we all face in our lives, no matter what our race, religion or culture.â€
Mr Mez reminds us, “All that should ever matter as a rapper is that one stays true to oneself and that we are real with each other; because at the end of the day, ‘real recognizes real.â€â€™
*Pushin Keyz Clothing Company set to launch Jan 2010. Stay tuned for updates.
*Mr Mez Debut album "FROM STREETS TO PENTHOUSE SUITES" will be out Late Jan early Feb 2010
Email:
[email protected]or contact Mr Mez on Myspace below: