The Hype Magazine Interview: Who is CHEZdotSANTANA?
Chinchez Rankin (born September 16, 1989) better known by his stage name CHEZdotSANTANA (formerly Chez), is an American Rapper. CHEZdotSANTANA signed to Rank Up Entertainment, a label is Salisbury NC. Chez started his music career as a member of group Gritty Ggods. Born and raised in Asheboro NC, Chez shortly went solo with his first mixtape Procrastination Killz Volume 1.
CHEZdotSANTANA also became a feature in the first ever cypher in Salisbury called Shotsbury Cypher 2017, with other artists in the area. He started writing music at the age of ten and thus his love for music was then started; Chez found his knack for performing and finding his artistry in 2017. CHEZdotSANTANA is popular for his wordplay and throat-cut delivery. The Prince of hip hop isn’t taking no for an answer, he is ambushing the united states and elsewhere with his talents!
As you see your self, who is CHEZdotSantana?
I see myself as very confident but yet humble Artist with a hunger and passion for this music industry.
What brought you to the entertainment industry and music specifically?
As a young kid, I grew up watching my pops do music and make beats in his studio that he and his business partner at the time co-owned. But being in that environment as a kid had me wanting to be apart of the whole music scene, so I would go home and work on my raps and try to get my pops to listen to them and help me out with them and my love for the music grew from there.
What and/or who influenced the sound you bring today?
Honestly, me being where I’m from (Salisbury, NC) and nobody really checking for us it influences me a lot, I take everything that goes on around me and my city and put it in my music. Artist wise I would have to say Lil Wayne, Drake, and J. Cole are some of my musical influences.
What’s happened in your career that makes you feel this is the industry for you?
After I dropped my first debut solo mixtape and put it out there to the ppl not knowing the reactions I would get, I had so many people that would hit me up or see me out and would tell me they absolutely love my music because it’s a breath of fresh air and I wasn’t trying to be like a lot these other dudes, I was speaking what I know instead of what is cool. I even had old heads hitting me up telling that I got the talent and all I need is for someone that can change my life to take notice and listen to me. After hearing all that I just know I gotta keep this music coming.
What was the biggest obstacle in getting to your current career phase?
My biggest obstacle has been time mostly. I say that because if your really going to make it in the music industry the music will consume a lot of your time and with me being a full-time student a full-time music and doing shows it has sometimes been difficult to balance both worlds but when you want something bad enough you gotta do what you gotta do to make it happen.
What do you want people to get from your music?
I want people to get that real authentic feeling when you hear my music. I never just talking to be talking because it sounds good, either I’ve lived through it or I’ll do it.
Tell us about your current project?
My current project I’m working on is an EP entitled NO NEW FRIENDS. It is set to be released sometime this spring.
What do you feel has been your greatest life achievement so far?
My greatest life achievement thus far I would have to say is me going back to school to finish up my business degree, I know my people wanted me to go back to finish up so I am doing that as we speak.
If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with one person it would most definitely have to be Drake or J. Cole. I say that because to get on a song with them you would definitely have to bring your A game.
If you had to pick one song of yours, that really explains YOU, what would it be?
If I had to pick one song that explains me best would definitely have to a song called “Not The Usual”. It gives you a look into my life and to who CHEZdotSANTANA is on a more personal level.
Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment…
One of my craziest moments would probably have to be when I went and did a radio interview in Raleigh and the DJ at the station was so amazed at my lyrical ability that he just kept putting on track after track after for me to rap on lol man I rapped so much within that interview that I had the cotton mouth lol that interview was wild but it was fun at the same time.
www.chezdotsantanamusic.com
Fb: chezdotsantana / Chez Rankin
IG: CHEZdotSANTANA
Twitter: CHEZdotSANTANA
IG: Rankup_ent
Twitter: Rankup_ent
About the Author
Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson Publisher and CEO of The Hype Magazine. Follow me on Twitter @HypeJustJay
Related Posts
Transforming Minds Through Music – Mic Crenshaw from “Hip Hop Congress” →
Who is Music and Film Storyteller Lynn Tate? →
Dr. Kimberly Arrington: A Woman Who Shatters Glass Ceilings and Builds Bridges →
