Orlandez Johnson, hailing from Chickasha,
Oklahoma, has charted an extraordinary journey in the domains of communication,
media, and entertainment. Born in a town with a population of over 16,000
residents, Orlandez has made an indelible mark, reaching out to more than
800,000 individuals through various media, direct-to-consumer services,
products, and live events.
Early Years and Education:
Orlandez embarked on his voyage into the
world of communication at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
(USAO), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication. His formative years
were defined by roles as a journalist and social media director for USAO's
student newspaper, The Trend, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in
the communication landscape.
2004-2005: Viral Sensation and
Entrepreneurship:
In 2004, Orlandez achieved widespread
recognition as a viral sensation on platforms like Xanga.com and Myspace.com.
He surged to the top of Myspace's music chart with chart-topping singles
"Dreamland" and "Triflin."
Orlandez is known as the very first person to
go viral on the internet in the history of Chickasha, Oklahoma.
The entrepreneurial spirit ignited in 2005
when Orlandez founded Fresh 2 Def Records. His debut mixtape, "The Crown
Me Mixtape," released under the name Sturk, achieved remarkable success
with over 3,000 units sold and 100,000 online downloads. Notably, Orlandez
became the first Chickasha Hip Hop artist to feature at Benton's, a central hub
for young adults in the mid-2000s.
2008-2013: Diversification and Recognition:
Building on his success, Orlandez established
I Am Somebody Music and I Am Somebody Lifestyle in 2008. Subsequent years
witnessed his prominence in various domains, including gracing the front cover
of the ChickashaExpress-Star newspaper in 2012 and being featured on The Truth with Elliot
Wilson on Jay-Z's Life + Times website in 2013.
Orlandez's debut album, "Oklahoma's
Boy," released in 2013, showcased his multifaceted talent, with over 300
units sold.
Orlandez, going by his rap name Sturk,
released Jay Z Tape on December 4, 2013. The tape was released in honor of one
of the Oklahoma native's favorite rappers, Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, on his born
day.
2014-2016: Academic Leadership and Community
Initiatives:
In 2014, Orlandez expanded his impact by
becoming the social media director for The Trend and the Communication
department at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. His engagement
in IMPACT Wrestling's Shera Shuffle Contest in 2015 demonstrated his diverse
interests.
On February 15, 2015, Orlandez released
'Legends Never Die' mixtape.
In April 2015, Orlandez promoted an event
titled Countdown to Summer at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.
The event was hosted by legendary Oklahoma City disc jockey, Vanna Jay,
formerly of Power 103.5.
Additionally, Orlandez graduated from the
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Oklahoma during the
same year.
In 2016, Orlandez Johnson was involved in a
multitude of endeavors. He launched "Global Young World," an
initiative aimed at encouraging community volunteering among young adults. He
simultaneously assumed the role of creative director for the Blasé and Co
apparel line. Notably, he produced the "What's Up Blase" travel
series to promote this Oklahoma-based apparel line. The release of the
"Chickasha" album in the same year, dedicated to his hometown, firmly
established his prominence as Chickasha's foremost figure in hip-hop/rap.
Orlandez's creative journey also saw him engage in a spirited rap battle with
former WWE & IMPACT Wrestling pro wrestler EC3, entertaining the audience
on Wade Keller's PWTorchlivecast.
Furthermore, on November 11, 2016, Orlandez
Johnson appeared in the Oklahoma Gazette, where he discussed his historic run
as Chickasha, Oklahoma's foremost figure in hip-hop/rap. During this time, he
also shed light on his final album, aptly named "Chickasha," adding
another chapter to his illustrious musical career.
2018-2023: Viral Success, Entertainment
Ventures, and Rebranding:
Orlandez continued to make waves in 2018 with
viral IMPACT Wrestling spoofs. The year 2021 marked the debut of the
"Orlandez Show," demonstrating his versatility in the media
landscape.
In 2022, Orlandez appeared on NPR's Focus:Black Oklahoma, underscoring his influence beyond the local scene. The year
2023 witnessed the formation of Chickasha Music, later rebranded as Orlandez
Music, marking a new chapter in his journey.
In 2023, Orlandez
went viral again when his interview with comedian Aries Spears amassed over
300,000 views on YouTube.
As of 2024, Orlandez owns Chickasha Oklahoma’s most popular YouTube channel, with 1980 subscribers, 18,250.4 watch time hours and 587,003 views in the first year of its existence.
Orlandez is widely considered the most known person to rise up from Chickasha, Oklahoma in the 2000s.
Orlandez Johnson's life narrative embodies innovation, creativity, and community impact. From his early forays in the music industry to his role as a communication expert, Orlandez continues to shape the media and entertainment landscape, leaving an enduring legacy in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and beyond.