User:Achi3v

The date was February 14th when Brandon Luis Thomas aka Chiev made his debut into the world. He along with an older brother and sister were raised by a single mother in a project community on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. In the early nineties rap music was gaining popularity among adolescents, teens and young adults. Chiev was no exception, with the help of his step father, former lead singer of R&B singing group the Dazz Band, Chiev, his older brother and a neighborhood friend decided to form a rap group affectionately called Sha-Pom-Pom. Sha-Pom-Pom performed locally in amateur talent shows and events but the group was short lived. Chiev's experience with the group helped to improve his confidence. He loved being the center of attention and performing on stage. It was just a small taste of what was to become his destiny. At the age of eleven a few short years after the group disbanded, Chiev's father Reggie who hails from the Virgin Islands enrolled his son in little league baseball. As a boy Reggie took a special interest in the sport. Baseball became one of Chiev's favorite pastimes. He had come to love the game as much as his dad. As Chiev approached his teen years the decision to pursue other interests would ultimately lead him in a direction no one saw coming. It would be a decision that would eventually lead to heartbreak for his dad. Upon entering High School, recognizing that his heart still belonged to baseball Chiev turned his interests towards drama. During his free time, Chiev studied movie scripts and how they were executed. At this time he signed up with a local community theatre workshop called Shortstop. Shortstop would prove to be an integral part of his dramatic development. There Chiev gained valuable experience performing in several live stage productions. At the age of fifteen while still in high school with no formal training, Chiev was slated to star in his first movie along with popular television stars Anna Maria Horsford (Amen, The Wayans Bros)Alexis Fields (Moesha)& Bizzy Bone of Grammy award winning rap group Bone Thugs & Harmony. This unexpected opportunity led to national television commercials with Reebok, Wrigley’s gum and a PSA for Drug free America. Chiev's decision to change careers was fueled in part by a chronic bout with asthma. “Being a kid with asthma made the switch from baseball a little easier” Chiev also says it took my father awhile to get over my decision because he wanted so much for me to live his dream of playing baseball.” In summer of 2000, Chiev moved to New York. There he met music producer Rufus Blaq. Rufus who was instrumental in producing some of today’s hottest singers took Chiev under his wing. “I remember going to the studio for the first time, I was only fifteen but I was completely blown away.” “Rufus allowed me to shadow him; he taught me the business from the inside and how to create complete songs with catchy hooks.” The few months spent with Rufus were invaluable however, there was still much more work ahead. To be successful in his craft Chiev needed a change of venue; he decided to make a permanent move to New York. Although the transition was difficult, being alone in a big city away his family was the hardest obstacle to overcome. Not long after Chiev familiarized himself with his new surroundings, he met someone who would introduce him to his current agent. He was immediately signed to a contract. Chiev's credits include: -- Jacked up/H.B. /2001 -- all my children/2002 -- Reebok NFL Super bowl commercial /2003 -- Wrigley’s gum commercial /2004- -- Miracle’s boys/ Aaron/Spike Lee Joint /2005 --Barbershop t.v. series (screen test) HBO /2005 -- PSA for Drug free America /2007 -- Law and Order/2009 --Music videos/ Style P Daddy get that cash (main)2004 -- Chiev's body of work represents quality versus quantity. He is the consummate professional who chooses his work carefully. We have yet to experience the depth of his extraordinary talent. Watch for several new projects in the coming months