Rarely has an emcee name been so appropriate as the one adopted by “Pryslezz.†Given his iconic moniker by a friend for his break dancing skills, the young ingénue of Ohio origin is one of the most engaging personalities to grace the mic in recent years.
The grit and grime of the Youngstown city streets, that are so prevalent with violence, has left its mark on the multi-faceted artist, which is evident in his music. Full of clever wordplay, Pryslezz is known for his ability to dispense an endless chain of syllables so relentlessly you can almost hear drum machines gasping for air as they struggle to keep the pace. A seasoned vet, Pryslezz has opened for numerous artists that include Lil Jon, as well as performed alongside Wu Tang Clan, Common, Slum Village, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Nas on the Rock the Bells Tour. He showcased his talent recently on the promotional HBCU College Tour and opened at the House Of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio with Dwele, Jason Derulo and others.
His debut album, A Search 4 Peace- A Testimony (2003) created a tremendous underground buzz and garnered him a throng of loyal followers, while the disc was voted one of the best albums to come out of Cincinnati that same year. Now, older and more seasoned, Pryslezz is set to release the ground breaking Death of a Man, Rebirth of a King which is representative of his growth and maturity. Not your run of the mill rap artist, the first single, “More Than A Love Song†features R&B crooner Dwele on a smooth-flowing cut with radiant harmonies and vocal inflections that suggest a gorgeous picture of a true love story through new eyes and frames of thought. On the standout track, “Way Back†featuring velvety-voiced Raheem Devaughn, the MC flawlessly marries Hip-Hop and R&B in a way that is both entertaining and refreshing.
The debut single “More Than A Love Song†continues to chart on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B Single Sales peaking at #2 while additionally impacting Urban Mainstream Radio with 30 added stations (listening audience of over 1 million) receiving over 300 spins/week and finished in the top 5 most added in it’s first week, holding its own alongside Lil’ Wayne, Sean Kingston, Ludacris and Estelle. Markets that continue to champion the record include WGCI (Chicago), WENZ (Cleveland), WKKV (Milwaukee), WDKX (Rochester), WJUC (Toledo), WCKX (Columbus), WIZL (Cincinnati), KNDA (Corpus Christi), WJMI (Jackson), WEMX (Baton Rouge), KOPW (Omaha), WJZD (Biloxi), KVSP (Oklahoma City), KJMM (Tulsa), XM Satellite Radio and more.
The music video for “More Than A Love Song†with Dwele has been put into rotation on VH-1 Soul, VH-1.com, BET.com, Yahoo! Launch and Music Choice as well as officially accepted to MTV Jams.
Additional guest on album include Jason Derulo, N.O,X., URG, Soler Mesh and Purple Popcorn, as well as production from Blackout Movement (Mims, Ja Rule, Jim Jones, UGK), amongst others. Citing an array of lyrical guru’s such as his brother URG, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, OutKast, Eminem, Nas, Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes, Pryslezz respects individuality and inspiring messages behind the music.
Inspired by an amalgam of sources such as religion, family, life-altering events, everyday living, successes, struggles and nature, Pryslezz knows that it is the recognition of emotions and then the their release that make his music edgy, unique and staying consistently outside the box. “I call the concept of putting yourself in a variety of different boxes ‘the captives freedom‘. I like to attempt to give something to everyone without stepping outside of my own personal virtues and values. The music isn’t as strong if you can’t stand behind it.†At 24 years old, Pryslezz with his vast experiences and spiritual view of life, create the persona of a soul wise beyond its years. One can book a studio session with a Grammy Winning producer, hire a top stylist or pay a ghostwriter to write hit-making lyrics, but possessing raw, un-cut talent, that’s Pryslezz.
