Chivez Smith[1] (born October 31, 1989), known professionally as Icewear Vezzo, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is the founder of the label Iced Up Records, he is best known for his Clarity mixtape series and his Rich Off Pints mixtape trilogy, with the latter entering the Heatseekers Albums chart. He is noted as a prominent figure of the Detroit hip hop scene.[1][5]
Icewear Vezzo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chivez Smith[1] |
| Born | October 31, 1989 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.[2] |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2012–present[3] |
| Labels | |
| Website | www |
Early life
editChivez Smith was born and raised in the Gratiot-Findlay neighborhood on Sanford Ave & Bradford Ave on the east side of Detroit, Michigan.
Career beginnings
editSmith began his career as a member of the rap group Green Guyz,[3] founded in Minnesota by his close relatives and siblings.[2]
Solo career
edit2012–2018: The Clarity series and Motown
editIn 2012, he started gaining traction with the release of his debut solo mixtape The Clarity. In 2013, he released his second mixtape The Clarity 2: Can't Stop the Count the sequel to The Clarity.[2] In 2014, he released his third Clarity mixtape The Clarity 3: Fully Blown, which reached number 48 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[2] In 2015, he released his fourth Clarity mixtape Clarity 4: I Can't Fall Off which featured the single "Moon Walken".[2] In 2016, he released the full-length mixtape Moon Walken.[2] In November 2018, Vezzo was signed to the record label Motown.[3] In December 2018, he released his Clarity 6 under Motown, featuring Kash Doll. In February 2019, Vezzo released his debut single under Motown, "Balance" featuring rapper Big Sean.[6]
2021–2022: Rich Off Pints series and Quality Control
editIn April 2021, he released his single "Up the Sco" with a feature from Lil Durk.[7] In May 2021, he released his project Rich Off Pints featuring guest appearances by Rio da Yung OG, Peezy, Louie Ray, Trippie Redd, Lil Yachty, EST Gee, Dreezy, BIG 30, and others.[8] In June 2021, the album debuted at number seven on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[9] In September 2021, Vezzo released his project Rich Off Pints 2 the sequel to Rich Off Pints with appearances from Rio da Yung OG, Antt Beatz, Babyface Ray, Future, Moneybagg Yo, and RMR.[10] Rich Off Pints 2 debuted atop the Heatseekers Albums chart and peaked at number 34 on the Independent Albums chart.[11][12] In July 2022, Vezzo released Rich Off Pints 3, which is the third and final installment in his Rich Off Pints mixtape trilogy. The mixtape includes performances by Lil Durk, Lil Baby, G Herbo, E-40, Key Glock, Baby Money and Antt Beatz.[13] In August 2022, debuted at number three on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[14] Also in August 2022, Vezzo signed a deal with Quality Control Music and released his track "It's All On U" with rapper Kodak Black.[4]
2022–present: Paint the City
editIn December 2022, he released his song "One Time" featuring rapper Jeezy.[15] On December 8, 2022, Vezzo released his Gangsta Grillz mixtape Paint the City with appearances from Kodak Black, Jeezy, Future, 2 Chainz, Peezy, and G.T.[16]
Other ventures
editIced Up
editIced Up Records is a record label founded by Vezzo. The label has its own film production company Iced Up Films; its first film was Price of Love.[7]
Chicken Talk
editIn July 2015, Vezzo opened a restaurant called Chicken Talk.[17]
Discography
edit- The Clarity (2012)
- The Clarity 2 (2013)
- The City Is Mine (2013)
- The Clarity 3: Fully Blown (2014)
- Solitaires: Drank God (2014)
- Clarity 4: I Can't Fall Off (2015)
- Moon Walking (2016)
- Purple City with Antt Beatz (2016)
- Price Goin Up (2017)
- Clarity 6 (2018)
- Robbin Season (2019)
- Drank Baby (2020)
- Robbin Season 2 (2020)
- Rich Off Pints (2021)
- Rich Off Pints 2 (2021)
- Rich Off Pints 3 (2022)
- Paint the City with DJ Drama (2022)
- Live from the 6 (2024)
- Live from the 6 (Part Two) (2024)
References
edit- ^ a b c "Ahead of festival, Icewear Vezzo trailblazes Detroit rap's movement". The Detroit News. May 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Icewear Vezzo Biography, Songs, & Albums". Allmusic. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c d "Motown Signs Icewear Vezzo, Loyola Launches Hip-Hop Degree & Hendrix Exhibit Bows at NAAM: R&B/Hip-Hop Briefs". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ a b "Icewear Vezzo Signs to Quality Control, Drops "It's All On U" With Kodak Black". Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "The Promise & Perseverance of Detroit Rap's Rising Stars". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ "Icewear Vezzo & Big Sean Find 'Balance' in New Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ a b "Icewear Vezzo Recruits Lil Durk for Off-Kilter Heater "Up The Sco'"". Respect. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ^ "Icewear Vezzo Stands Up For Detroit, Shares Rich Off Pints". Audible Treats. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart Week of June 5, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ "Icewear Vezzo drops 'Rich Off Pints 2' mixtape f/ Future, RMR, and More". Complex. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart Week of October 16, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ "Independent Albums Chart Week of October 16, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ "Icewear Vezzo Drops 'Rich Off Pints 3' f/ Lil Durk, Lil Baby, and More". Complex. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart Week of August 6, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ "Icewear Vezzo Recruits Jeezy For 'One Time'". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Album: Icewear Vezzo 'Paint the City'". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Rapper Icewear Vezzo makes good in Neighborhood, opens Chicken Talk". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
External links
edit- Icewear Vezzo at AllMusic
- Icewear Vezzo discography at Discogs
