With boundaries in music pushed daily it’s hard to leave a mark without being consistent, dedicated, and most importantly talented. But sometimes creating a brand new genre and being an experimental artist just might do it. Just like this mc/pianist/producer and songwriter did with his latest mix tape pianist envy. which spoke about tt his career his defeats as well as showcasing his talent as a pianist and producer
Jason Charles Beck also knows as Chilly Gonzales was born in Canada. He started playing the piano at the early age of 3 and finishing his education at McGill University. Soon after that his career started with a 3-album deal with Warner Music Canada in 1995. Just after 4 years and 3 albums later he moved to East Berlin that is where he adopted his new name Chilly Gonzales not only on stage but as well as his passport legally changing it.
With a new name came a new style, the music that he made at Kitty-yo was based around Rap and Hip-Hop. The critics and listeners were very intrigued by the sound and his experimental nature. Kitty-yo was the label that released his most popular single “Let’s groove Again’’. Which made him a regular on both the club dance floors and pop festivals After being a working artist for 9 years Chilly released “solo pianist” which brought him a lot of recognition and well earned respect that was over due, it was also his best selling album to date.
Always moving and changing his style through out the years you thought he had his best days behind him. But Mr. Gonzales had otherideas and was certainly as motivated as ever. On may 18th 2005 in the cine 13 theater(France) he broke a world record, yes a gunnies world record for the longest solo artist performance lasting 27 hours 3 minutes 44 seconds crushing Prasanna Gudi’s record.
I believe his life lessons, world travels and previous projects are the biggest motivation for ‘pianist envy”. Through out the mix tape he tells a story, his own story, in his own way. That is just as appealing as the crazy piano skills and his ability to make things work smoothly combining the piano with rap showing that his production skills are as equally good. If that wasn’t enough he also concludes a self-interview through out the tape letting us in on what us going on inside his head and stating his opinion on music today
I had the tape on rerun for about the first 2 weeks I got a hold of it, what I loved most is the originality of the project. The first mix that took me completely by surprise was 50 cent’s ‘’many men’’ over a hard, up beat, progressive piano instrumental which really set the tempo, gave me goose bumps every time. Chilly is truly a rebel with a purpose, which is to entertain. So take a listen and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Chilly Gonzales – ”Pianist Envy” tape
download the mix tape here
http://www.arts-crafts.ca/chillygonzales/mixtape/index.php
1 comment
Illan says:
May 1, 2010
Glad you enjoy it!