Chezale

Pima Community College has been a stepping stone for students who want to influence their community and follow their dreams.

Chezale Rodriguez, a 2003 PCC alumnus, is one of those students. The local singer, dancer, actor and model is also known as Lady Maverick but now goes by Chezale.

“Lady Mav is definitely the most popular alias that I gave myself,” Chezale said.

Chezale chose “maverick” while looking for a word to describe herself.

She recalled her childhood, and remembered how she never stuck to one group of friends and always marched to her own beat.

By definition, a maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. The term was the perfect choice, though she decided to feminize her alias by adding “Lady.”

When Chezale was pursuing her liberal arts degree at PCC, she performed with her dance crew during halftime for basketball games and sang at events held by Student Life.

She also participated in annual youth leadership conferences co-sponsored by Pima and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Years after graduating, LULAC recruited Chezale to serve on the planning committee for its “520’s Top Dance Crew.”

She served as a judge for the event, which features local high school dance crews battling it out for cash prizes. Michael Montoya, Anthony Reyes and Addison Johnson joined Chezale on the judge’s panel.

“They were looking for judges with knowledge of dance and we’re all teachers,” Chezale said. “They were looking for people that have been around for awhile. We’re not new on the scene.”

LULAC presented the panel and planning committee with a community service award last year.

Chezale’s passion for dance has always gone hand in hand with her music.

She has released two albums, “MY STORY … The Making of a Maverick” in 2007 and “MAVMUZIK” in 2014.

She spent the time in between working on her sound and style. She also collaborated with other local artists and performed at shows.

“My goal was for growth and to evolve,” she said. “Over a period of seven years, the sound changes. Sonically and technically, it’s different.”

Her goal, she said, is not so much about keeping up with the wave as it is about putting out good music – “stuff that people can feel, and quality.”

Chezale’s mother and biggest supporter, Sonja Rodriguez, has witnessed the music’s evolution and dedication.

“She’s constantly re-inventing herself,” Rodriguez said. “She’s always on the grind. She’s constantly booking shows, performing and owning her craft.”

Sounds on “MAVMUZIK” include rhythm and blues, hip-hop and soul.

Some of her influences are Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte and Aaliyah.

“I would like to do something with a reggae vibe,” Chezale said. “I haven’t done straight acoustic ballad, piano. I want to even experiment with a little hip-hop rock.”

Chezale is confident she’ll maintain her personal style no matter what genre she chooses.

“I can make them all still sound like me,” she said.

She hopes people from all walks of life can relate to her albums, and even censored “MAVMUZIK” for her younger audience.

“The number one thing for me is to influence people and touch them in some way with my music,” she said. “I want to say something. There’s enough junk out there already.”

“MAVMUZIK” is available on all major online digital stores.

Visit Chezalepresents.com for more information. - Shana Rose

I think I’m Mavvin… it is a habit, after all. Artist Chezale, by way of Arizona, brings Mavvin to the east coast. Mavvin Is A Habit is the new single off of her new album entitled MAVMUZIK. The track is guaranteed to make your head nod and the thoughts tick. The track also guarantees her spot as an AEMNYC Alum.

Are you Mavvin?

“Never be afraid to BE, DO, THINK, BELIEVE or ACT differently from what may be considered “popular” or “the norm”. This song is for those who aspire to march to the beat of their own drum & in a positive light!” - AEM Staff

Chezale a.k.a. Lady Maverick is a rapper and singer based out of Arizona. With her influences such as Lauryn Hill and MC Lyte, she infuses a distinct sound of hip-hop and R&B. Chezale is no stranger to the industry as she has opened up for hip-hop veterans such as Slick Rick and Hieroglyphics. This year she released her sophomore album MAVMUZIK available on iTunes, Amazon Music, and Google Play. My favorite track “Vibin” shows more of Chezale’s ‘feel good music’ side as she mixes the sound of old school with a touch of 90’s R&B. She will continue to promote her album and work on other artistic projects throughout the year. - Mya Melody

“SPITdigital presents Spit Of The Week - Songs That Mean Something”

Aired April 2014 for "Hip Hop Nation". - Chuck D.

Xcorps Action Sports Music TV and RAW Ventures supporting Natural Born Artists Presents Chezale LIVE at the House Of Blues San Diego California! LIVE performance music tracks here in this positive vibes XCTV video piece showcasing multi talented music, dance, model, actress and Pittsburgh PA native Chezale demonstrating her LOVE of her arts in this styling video.

Xcorps TV has always focused toward the positive vibe and continues delivering such to our viewers with this special live video rolling right onstage with Singer/Emcee/Songwriter Chezale aka “LADY MAVERICK” while she hip hops across the catwalk stage at the legendary House Of Blues in San Diego.

Showing off her multi faceted stage training in Tuscon Arizona – Chezale performs her spirited “Mavvin’ is a Habit” – a song promoting individuality and the self spirit with poppin rap lyrics hooking up the HOB audience with the XCAMS rolling right alongside!

The songs credo – Stay Positive – Be a Lone Wolf – Don’t be afraid to be different, embrace who you ARE, be unique, be rebellious, a free thinker and an intellectual! Chezale IS a Maverick and she moves to the beat of her own drum! - XCorps TV

A multi-faceted artist, Chezale is a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, model and MC, delivering positive and intelligent messages along with a deep and steady groove. Originally from Pittsburgh, Chezale has earned the nickname Lady Maverick for her musical blend of hip-hop, R&B and more, earning comparisons to the likes of Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah. A dance teacher by profession, Chezale's latest recording is the single "Pullin Out Knots," with a video released in January. That follows her 2014 album Mavmuzik, with videos produced for the singles "Hip-Hop Nation," "Vibin" and "Mavvin is a Habit," and her 2007 debut MY STORY... The Making of a Maverick. - Tucson Weekly

Cover feature. - Tucson Weekly