Christopher C. Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie or simply Blaze (born April 27, 1976), is an American rapper from Mt. Clemens, Michigan. A representative of the hip hop subgenres gangsta rap and horrorcore, his stage persona is a resurrected gang member who had been killed in the late 1980s.
Biography
Pre-Psychopathic years (1993–1997) 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 (with Skrapz) under the stage name Psycho C. Rouleau's first big performance was at the Ritz in Roseville Michigan, where he and James Lowery 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.
Psychopathic years (1998–2013) 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."
Blaze Ya Dead Homie EP (2000) In 2000, Rouleau released a solo EP, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, establishing his character as a 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 Juggalos. The album was released on Psychopathic Records and Phantom Zone Productions.
1 Less G n Da Hood (2001–2003) The LP 1 Less G n da Hood was recorded and released in 2001, followed by continued touring and appearances on several Psychopathic releases.
Colton Grundy: The Undying (2004–2006) 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.
Clockwork Gray (2007–2009) 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. The album features Twiztid, The R.O.C., Boondox and Violent J. Twiztid, Blaze & The R.O.C. formed the group Samhein Witch Killaz. The song "Inside Looking Out" was a SWK song. Unfortunatally in 2011 the question was asked if there would ever be a SWK EP or full-length album, and it was confirmed that SWK would not be putting out any EP's or full-length albums. The R.O.C. & Blaze formed the group Zodiac MPrint, and the song "Ill Connect" was a Zodiac MPrint song. In late 2013 after Blaze left Psychopathic Records, he and The. R.O.C. started recording a new Zodiac MPrint cd, unknown if it's an EP or full-length album. On The R.O.C.'s Twitter account he announced that he has been bumping the rough cuts to the new Zodiac MPrint cd around October/November 2013. The name "Skywalkers" has been thrown around as the title for the cd, but in the "Clockwork Gray" pamphlet there was a promotional picture of Zodiac signs and the upcoming Zodiac cd to be called "Horrorscope".
Gang Rags (2010–2013) 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). Blaze would release the original version of Gang Rags on Drive-By's 2011 tour. Blaze released an EP on the "Kaos & Kronik Tour" with Twiztid, Kottonmouth Kings and Big B titled Blaze 'n' Bake EP.