Spenzo
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Spenzo
| birth_name = Demauris Merchant Johnson{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/900863291 |title=BOP IN |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=April 27, 2023}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|06|11}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|drill|gangsta rap|punk rap|hardcore hip hop}}
| years_active = 2012-present
| label = Atlantic Records
}}
Demauris Merchant Johnson (born June 11, 1995), better known by his stage name Spenzo, is an American rapper from Chicago. Spenzo is best known from his single "Wife 'Er" and from his collaborations with artists such as Young Thug, G Herbo and King Louie.
Career
In 2013, Spenzo released his breakthrough single "Wife 'Er", which was a freestyle recorded over an instrumental produced by Chicago producer Young Chop.{{Cite web |last=chicagoreader |date=2014-05-05 |title=Five honors students from Chicago rap's freshman class |url=http://chicagoreader.com/music/five-honors-students-from-chicago-raps-freshman-class/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The Singles Jukebox » Spenzo – Wife Er |url=https://www.thesinglesjukebox.com/?p=7987 |access-date=2023-01-31}} Later in the year, he signed a record deal with Atlantic Records{{Cite web |title=How A New Generation Of Chicago Artists Redefined Rap |url=https://genius.com/a/how-a-new-generation-of-chicago-artists-redefined-rap |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Genius |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Spenzo Atlantic |url=https://www.dmfashionbook.com/2013/01/21/up-coming-chicago-rapper-spenzo-had-a-meeting-with-atlantic-records-is-he-signing-to-the-label/}} and released singles such as "Heaven Can Wait", calling for an end to the gang violence in Chicago.{{Cite web |last=X |first=Dharmic|title=Spenzo Challenges Chicago Street Violence in Video For 'Heaven Can Wait' |url=https://theboombox.com/spenzo-challenges-chicago-street-violence-in-video-for-heaven-can-wait/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=The Boombox |date=16 July 2013 |language=en}}
In 2014 Drake performed Spenzo's single "Wife 'Er" at the Chicago stop of his Drake Vs. Lil Wayne tour,{{Cite magazine |last=Roberts |first=Anthony |date=2014-08-11 |title=Drake Gets the Best of Lil Wayne in Chicago: Live Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-gets-the-best-of-lil-wayne-in-chicago-live-review-6214324/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Drake and Lil Wayne bring fireworks, feelings to Chicago |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/redeye-drake-lil-wayne-chicago-review-20140811-htmlstory.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Orlando Sentinel}} he also released "I'm So Sorry" in collaboration with Young Thug.{{Cite web |last=Aceto |first=Matt |date=2014-11-26 |title=The Source {{!}}The Book of Thug: Young Thug's Complete 2014 Music Collection |url=https://thesource.com/2014/11/26/the-book-of-thug-young-thugs-complete-2014-music-collection-2/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=The Source |language=en-US}} Later in the year, Hip Hop artists Meek Mill and Maine Man released an alternative version of Spenzo's Young Thug collaboration, "I'm So Sorry".{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Peter|title=Spenzo Featuring Young Thug, Meek Mill & Maine Man "I'm So Sorry (Alternate Version)" - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/spenzo-im-so-sorry-alternate/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=XXL Mag |date=9 December 2014 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=RESPECT |date=2014-12-09 |title=PREMIERE: Spenzo Feat. Meek Mill, Young Thug, & Maine Man – "I'm So Sorry" |url=https://respect-mag.com/2014/12/premiere-spenzo-feat-meek-mill-young-thug-mack-maine-im-so-sorry/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=RESPECT. {{!}} The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture |language=en-US}}
In 2015, alongside Chicago artist King Louie, Spenzo released their single "Effortlessly".{{Cite web |last=Galil |first=Leor |date=2015-02-04 |title=Ascending Englewood rapper Spenzo gets closer to the top with new song 'Effortlessly' |url=http://chicagoreader.com/blogs/ascending-englewood-rapper-spenzo-gets-closer-to-the-top-with-new-song-effortlessly/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}} and a collaboration with Tree titled "Doin Lines".{{Cite web |title=Listen to Spenzo's "Doin' Lines" f/ Tree |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/01/listen-to-spenzo-tree-doin-lines |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Complex |language=en}}
Throughout 2016, Spenzo released singles such as "Big Amount {{Cite web |title=Lyrical Lemonade |url=https://www.lyricallemonade.com/p/big-amount-freestyle-spenzo-2/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.lyricallemonade.com|date=20 December 2016 }} and a collaboration with Hip Hop artist G-O, titled "Set The Mood".{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} In 2017, Spenzo released projects such as his album "Say No Mo" as well as a single featuring his brother Nuskie and Scoota Bussin titled "Thought It Was".{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 2018, Spenzo released singles such as "Still Winter" and "Yesterday", which was produced by ChopSquadDivnci.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} Throughout 2019, Spenzo released singles such as "Swerve"{{Cite web |title=Lyrical Lemonade |url=https://lyricallemonade.com/p/swerve-spenzo |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=lyricallemonade.com|date=11 March 2019 }} and remixed Kodak Black's single "Calling My Spirit" {{Cite web |title=Lyrical Lemonade |url=https://lyricallemonade.com/p/calling-my-spirit-freestyle-spenzo |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=lyricallemonade.com|date=28 February 2019 }} as well as J Cole's single "Middle Child".{{Cite web |title=Lyrical Lemonade |url=https://lyricallemonade.com/p/middle-child-freestyle-spenzo |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=lyricallemonade.com|date=7 February 2019 }}
In 2022, Spenzo released singles such as "Bigg Steppa", a collaboration with Chicago Hip Hop artist Bigga$tate, produced by Mafia Beatz. The single, released through Firehouse Studios was also featured on the No Jumper platform.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Spenzo: The Rise Of A Chicago Legend - Reson8 |url=https://reson8.media/spenzo-the-rise-of-a-chicago-legend/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=en-US}} Later in the year, Spenzo, alongside Moncler Moon Boy & CP released their single "TFMB", which was produced by Mafia Beatz.{{Cite web |title=Lyrical Lemonade |url=https://lyricallemonade.com/p/moncler-moon-boy-mafia-beatz-cp-spenzo-tfmb |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=lyricallemonade.com|date=12 January 2023 }}
Legal Issues
On June 2, 2018, Spenzo was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon when police pulled over the vehicle he was in for speeding. Upon searching the vehicle police found Marijuana and a loaded .380 caliber Taurus pistol.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-02 |title=Rapper Spenzo Busted For Unlawful Use of Weapon: Cops |url=https://patch.com/illinois/alsip-crestwood/rapper-spenzo-busted-unlawful-use-weapon-cops |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Alsip-Crestwood, IL Patch |language=en}}
Abduction
On February 14, 2023, Spenzo was the victim of a kidnapping and assault which reportedly stemmed from a social media argument with a rival gang member and fellow Chicago rapper known as Kiddo Curry.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Chicago Rapper Spenzo Is Kidnapped & Assaulted ... And The Thugs Who Did It LIVESTREAMED IT!! |url=https://mediatakeout.com/chicago-rapper-spenzo-is-kidnapped-assaulted-and-the-thugs-who-did-it-livestreamed-it/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Media Take Out |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Chicago Rapper Spenzo Brutally Beaten and Kidnapped on Camera – Windy City News |url=http://windycity.news/chicago-rapper-spenzo-brutally-beaten-and-kidnapped-on-camera/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |language=en-US}}
Discography
- Wife 'Er (2013)
- Chicago Conscious (2014) Featuring King Louie (rapper), G Herbo & Reem
- I'm So Sorry (2014) Featuring Young Thug
- Doin Lines (2015) Featuring Tree
References
{{reflist}}
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:20th-century American male rappers
Category:American hip-hop singers
Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists
Category:American drill musicians
Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American male musicians