Blaze Ya Dead Homie
Encyclopedia
Chris Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, is an American
rapper
from Romeo
, Michigan
. His stage persona is that of a reincarnated gang
member killed in the late 1980s, and his music is a fusion of gangsta rap
and horrorcore
.
opened for House of Krazees
. House of Krazees member The R.O.C. later produced 2 Krazy Devils' only album, Flipped Insanity, before the group disbanded in 1996.
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. He appeared on Twiztid
's Mostasteless
album, and occasionally acted as a hype man in live concerts. Rouleau joined Dark Lotus
and Psychopathic Rydas
, performing in the latter under the stage name "Cell Block." In 2000, Rouleau released a solo EP, Blaze Ya Dead Homie
, establishing his character as a reincarnated gang
member killed in the late 1980s. Rouleau toured major cities across the country to support the release, including a debut at the Gathering of the Juggalo
s.
The LP 1 Less G N Da Hood
was recorded and released in 2001, followed by continued touring and appearances on several Psychopathic releases. 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
. 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
. 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.
Rouleau's fourth studio album, Gang Rags
, was released on June 22, 2010 and debuted number 52 on the Billboard 200. While on the 2011 Drive-By Tour, he released Gang Rags Extended Version (Uncut + Uncensored). In October 2011, Rouleau, along with Paul Methric and Jamie Spaniolo
of Twiztid
, was arrested in Tampa, Florida
for marijuana possession
.
and horrorcore
. Rouleau's music strongly derives from late 1980s/early 1990s West Coast hip hop
, and sometimes incorporates elements of rock music
. Rouleau's influences include Insane Clown Posse
. Rouleau also enjoys the music of Kiss
, Black Sabbath
, Iron Maiden
, Journey
, Slick Rick
, LL Cool J
, Run DMC, N.W.A and Ice-T
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
from Romeo
Romeo, Michigan
Romeo is a village in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,721 at the 2000 census. The village is situated at the southeast corner of Bruce Township, with a portion extending south into Washington Township. Armada Township is adjacent to the east and Ray Township to the...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. His stage persona is that of a reincarnated gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
member killed in the late 1980s, and his music is a fusion of gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
and horrorcore
Horrorcore
Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based in horror-themed lyrical content and imagery. While the style is rarely popular, some performers have sold well in the mainstream scene.-Origins:...
.
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. Rouleau performed as a member of 2 Krazy Devils under the stage name Psycho C. Rouleau's first big performance was at the Ritz in Roseville, where he and James LoweryAnybody Killa
James Lowery, also known as Anybody Killa, or ABK, is a Native American rapper from Detroit, Michigan whose stage persona is that of a Native American warrior. He is signed to Psychopathic Records.-Biography:...
opened for House of Krazees
House of Krazees
House of Krazees was an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. The group was composed of the rappers R.O.C., Paul Methric and Jamie Spaniolo. House of Krazees performed a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and was active from 1993 until 1997....
. House of Krazees member The R.O.C. later produced 2 Krazy Devils' only album, Flipped Insanity, before the group disbanded in 1996.
Rouleau joined several groups, but no material was released. When Rouleau was about to give up rapping, he was encouraged to join Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet", is an American independent record label based in Farmington Hills, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse....
, where he initially started out as a member of Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
's road crew. He appeared on Twiztid
Twiztid
Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Warren, Michigan. The group is composed of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, who perform under the respective personas of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child...
's Mostasteless
Mostasteless
Mostasteless is the first album by Twiztid. Released on November 25, 1997, it was the first album on Psychopathic Records by an artist other than the label's founders, Insane Clown Posse, although an extended play by Project Born had previously been released on the label...
album, and occasionally acted as a hype man in live concerts. Rouleau joined Dark Lotus
Dark Lotus
Dark Lotus is an American hip hop supergroup based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1998, the group consists of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler of Insane Clown Posse, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric of Twiztid, and Chris Rouleau.-History:Dark Lotus made its...
and Psychopathic Rydas
Psychopathic Rydas
Psychopathic Rydas is an American hip hop group based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1999, the group consists of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers performing under alternate stage names in the style of mainstream gangsta rap...
, performing in the latter under the stage name "Cell Block." In 2000, Rouleau released a solo EP, Blaze Ya Dead Homie
Blaze Ya Dead Homie (EP)
Blaze Ya Dead Homie is the self-titled debut extended play of American hip hop artist Blaze Ya Dead Homie. Released in 2000, the EP is Blaze's first release on Psychopathic Records. Produced by Twiztid and Fritz the Cat, Blaze Ya Dead Homie features appearances by Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid...
, establishing his character as a reincarnated gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
member killed in the late 1980s. Rouleau toured major cities across the country to support the release, including a debut at the Gathering of the Juggalo
Juggalo
Juggalo or Juggalette is a name given to fans of Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics.-History:...
s.
The LP 1 Less G N Da Hood
1 Less G N Da Hood
-Personnel:*Alex Abbiss – Vocals*Anybody Killa – Performer*Jamie Madrox – Vocals*Monoxide – Performer*Sabrina – Vocals*Shaggy 2 Dope – Cut*Jami Spittler – Graphic Design, Concept*Twiztid – Producer...
was recorded and released in 2001, followed by continued touring and appearances on several Psychopathic releases. On October 19, 2004, Rouleau released his second studio album, Colton Grundy: The Undying
Colton Grundy: The Undying
Colton Grundy: The Undying is the second studio album by Blaze Ya Dead Homie, released in 2004. This album features Blaze rapping under his alternate persona, Colton Grundy, who he is credited as on this release and on guest appearances elsewhere during this period.- Music and lyrics :Allrovi...
. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
, #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
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Rouleau formed the group Drive-By with Lowery, releasing the album Pony Down (Prelude)
Pony Down (Prelude)
Pony Down is the debut EP by Drive-By, a group consisting of Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Anybody Killa. Released in 2005, the album's sound is based on old school hip hop, which "throws back to classic bass tracks, from a time when trunks thumped and big bass bumped; an album that is straight rap...
in 2005. The following year, Rouleau contributed two tracks to the video game 25 To Life
25 To Life
25 To Life is a third-person shooter video game for Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox released in 2006. The game was developed by Avalanche Software and Ritual Entertainment, and was published by Eidos Interactive....
, which also featured music by Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
, Public Enemy, DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
, Geto Boys
Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
and Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
. On August 21, 2007, Rouleau released his third studio album, Clockwork Gray
Clockwork Gray
- Musicians :* Jamie Madrox — vocals* Violent J - vocals* Monoxide — vocals* Boondox - vocals* R.O.C. — vocals* Big B — vocals* Kutt Calhoun — vocals- Production :* Butch — audio production* DJ Clay — audio production...
. It peaked at #14 on the Top Independent Albums chart and at #34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Rouleau's fourth studio album, Gang Rags
Gang Rags
Gang Rags is the fourth studio album of American hip hop artist Blaze Ya Dead Homie. Released on June 22, 2010, Gang Rags was produced by Mike E. Clark, and features appearances by guests Kottonmouth Kings, The Dayton Family, Anybody Killa and Insane Clown Posse. One of five different colored...
, was released on June 22, 2010 and debuted number 52 on the Billboard 200. While on the 2011 Drive-By Tour, he released Gang Rags Extended Version (Uncut + Uncensored). In October 2011, Rouleau, along with Paul Methric and Jamie Spaniolo
Jamie Spaniolo
James Spaniolo is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Spaniolo is most commonly known as Jamie Madrox of the rap group Twiztid. He is also a member of the two supergroups Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas...
of Twiztid
Twiztid
Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Warren, Michigan. The group is composed of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, who perform under the respective personas of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child...
, was arrested in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
for marijuana possession
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
.
Style and influences
Rouleau's lyrical style is based in a fusion of gangsta rapGangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
and horrorcore
Horrorcore
Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based in horror-themed lyrical content and imagery. While the style is rarely popular, some performers have sold well in the mainstream scene.-Origins:...
. Rouleau's music strongly derives from late 1980s/early 1990s West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
, and sometimes incorporates elements of rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. Rouleau's influences include Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
. Rouleau also enjoys the music of Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Run DMC, N.W.A and Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
.
Discography
- 1 Less G N Da Hood1 Less G N Da Hood-Personnel:*Alex Abbiss – Vocals*Anybody Killa – Performer*Jamie Madrox – Vocals*Monoxide – Performer*Sabrina – Vocals*Shaggy 2 Dope – Cut*Jami Spittler – Graphic Design, Concept*Twiztid – Producer...
(2001) - Colton Grundy: The UndyingColton Grundy: The UndyingColton Grundy: The Undying is the second studio album by Blaze Ya Dead Homie, released in 2004. This album features Blaze rapping under his alternate persona, Colton Grundy, who he is credited as on this release and on guest appearances elsewhere during this period.- Music and lyrics :Allrovi...
(2004) - Clockwork GrayClockwork Gray- Musicians :* Jamie Madrox — vocals* Violent J - vocals* Monoxide — vocals* Boondox - vocals* R.O.C. — vocals* Big B — vocals* Kutt Calhoun — vocals- Production :* Butch — audio production* DJ Clay — audio production...
(2007) - Gang RagsGang RagsGang Rags is the fourth studio album of American hip hop artist Blaze Ya Dead Homie. Released on June 22, 2010, Gang Rags was produced by Mike E. Clark, and features appearances by guests Kottonmouth Kings, The Dayton Family, Anybody Killa and Insane Clown Posse. One of five different colored...
(2010) - Gang Rags Extended Version (Uncut + Uncensored) Tour Only (2011)