Bronx-based Latin
Trap artist releases
his debut album
BY JASON COHEN
As kid, Adel Mejia, also
known as Chucky73, would
freestyle and cipher with his
classmates. But never in his
wildest dreams did he imagine
being a professional rapper.
In November, the Bronx native
released his fi rst album titled
“De Chamaquito Siempre
Cabezu.”
“I want people to listen to
it,” he said. “I’m so excited
about it. It’s love because it’s
coming out of me.”
Chucky, 22, was born in
the Dominican Republic and
moved to New York when he
was 8. Growing up at 173rd
Street and Grand Concourse
in the birthplace of hip-hop,
music was always around
him. As he got older, rhymes
and beats were always on his
mind.
By the age of 12, he had already
begun writing songs
with Spanish rhythms and was
heavily infl uenced by American
rap artists, namely Chief
Keef. Along the way, he created
his own fl ow and sound,
which he became known for in
the streets.
“When I started writing
music everyone supported
me,” he said.
However, his path to success
was always easy. He acknowledged
the struggles
he experienced early on and
thought about giving up on his
dream a couple years ago.
In November, Bronx native Chucky73 released his fi rst album, “De Chamaquito Siempre Cabezu.”
Photos courtesy of Chucky73
Bronx teacher brings the music during COVID-19
BRONX TIMES R 46 EPORTER, DECEMBER 4-10, 2020 BTR
Chucky knew he had talent
but said that he had to fi nd
people who felt the same way.
He eventually connected with
a producer and founded a label,
Sie7etr3/Caroline.
“A lot of people don’t believe
in you until you make
it,” he said.
While not disregarding
the devastation caused by
COVID-19, he used the quarantine
to focus on his music
and fi nish the LP.
“By the time COVID was
here, I really didn’t want to go
out. But I had to go to the studio,”
he explained.
Chucky, who considers
himself a humble guy, is happy
with how far he’s come and
hoped to eventually perform
throughout the country and
in Spain. He said that coming
out with an album was everything
he always wished for
and it’s still crazy to think it
happened.
“It feels amazing when people
come up to you and want to
take pictures,” Chucky said.
“It feels like you are not normal.”
BY JASON COHEN
Bronx-based music teacher
Jorge Quezada has had much
more on his plate than singing
since COVID-19 arrived,
including keeping students’
spirits up and their minds focused
on school.
Quezada, 28, who teaches
music at P.S. 359 at 750 Concourse
Village W., is one of
hundreds of teachers hired
by Education Through Music
(ETM), a nonprofi t that works
with schools to integrate music
education into the classroom.
He has seen fi rsthand the
effects of the pandemic as he
recently lost his aunt to the
virus and is doing the best
he can to meet the emotional
needs of his students.
“We don’t know what their
lives are like after the school
day,” he explained. “It has
been a little bit rough adapting
to the school day.”
Prior to the recent shuttering
of the schools, he had been
teaching hybrid and remote
classes. He explained that neither
of these experiences has
been easy.
Quezada’s in-person lessons
start with chanting together
about intentions, which
he said helps students focus
their energy and process their
emotions. He makes sure that
as much lesson time as possible
is spent in a circle, so that
students feel a sense of community.
On Wednesdays, he takes
his kindergarten class to the
cafeteria so those who haven’t
had breakfast can eat.
“As teachers, we noticed
the impact of COVID-19 and
tried to make sure we provide
space for the children,”
he said, adding that remote
learning is much more of a
challenge.
He tries to have weekly live
Zoom check-ins with his remote
students, as well as the
video lessons he provides, but
often worries this may not be
enough.
According to Quezada,
parents are not only dealing
with the stress of loss of work
or sick family members, but
many are concerned about
how their kids are going to
be engaged throughout the
school year.
“As a vocalist, I’ve seen a
lot challenges in the pacing in
how you would teach a song,”
he said.
Quezada told the Bronx
Times it is tough to hear
who is on pitch when holding
classes virtually. With
rumors of a vaccine coming
soon, he hopes children can
return to school sooner than
later.
“I think remote instruction
can work in a limited
way,” he said. “If we are working
with students remotely, as
an educator, I will do my best
to make sure I’m still providing
music as a core subject.”
Music teacher Jorge Quezada discuses teaching during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Jorge Quezada
The album cover for “De Chamaquito
Siempre”