The hip hop scene can be tough for many young artists. Growing up in a difficult and dangerous community can make or break some of these young and up coming artists in their pursuit to be something more than a kid rhyming on a street corner. But this up and coming artist made it through some of the trials and tribulations of today’s hip hop scene.
Known for his vocal ability and catchy lyrics, Michael Francis, also known as Chillaz, found himself moving from his two-bedroom apartment in Etobicoke, to the Chester Le community in Scarborough, known for homicide and gunplay. In the cold and cutthroat community, he was forced to grow up quickly.
Hip hop was something Michael was into from a young age. His first love has always been singing, but that took a back seat when he was introduced to hip hop at age 12. He continued to showcase his love for the art, and at age 14 he adopted the nickname Chillaz. As luck would have it, chilla means one who lives for music, and he does.
The young man got his chance when CEO of the local based entertainment group Royalty Squad Entertainment, gave him a call. It was his first chance to record. And thus came his first track, New Generation. Royalty Squad, realizing that they were dealing with a kid with heart and determination, immediately added Chillaz to their roster.
People came down hard on the 16-year-old for rapping about things they thought weren’t relevant to his life. But even that couldn’t hold him down.
His first major performance at Spring Bling Canada 2006 came about two months after joining Royalty Squad Entertainment. He also performed at The Canadian Connection Mixtape Release Party in fall of 2007 after the release of his first mix tape, Fuck What You Heard Vol. 1 in June 2007. The young artist didn’t stop there.
In May 2007 Chillaz had his first interview on the popular fusion radio show, The Crack House. The interview was a huge success and made a direct path for his first single, What the Hood Made Me. By the fall of 2007 Chillaz was doing yet another interview for an online radio show, Champ Radio.
With more outings and interviews, came more opportunity and pressure to be better. From sharpening his delivery, to the production of his music, many watched Chillaz grow as an artist and he is going on to do bigger and better things.
He is now the co-host of Fusion Radio’s Mischevious Sounds Radio and Dancehall show. He is also in the studio working on his second project, which will be released sometime this year. Chillaz is far from his peak but on this path, he’s well on his way.
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