Prezi

Charles Gardner, performing as Prezi, spent his early years in San Francisco’s Hunter’s Point district. Despite an early interest in music, he faced serious legal consequences in his twenties after a fatal nightclub shooting. Cleared of every charge in 2016, he turned immediately to building a career as a recording artist. Released the following year, the single “Do Better” began as a regional favorite before spreading virally, its lyrics drawn directly from his determination to change course. Bay Area legend Mozzy soon took note, leading to a remix that added verses from Mozzy, OMB Peezy, and Philthy Rich. The updated track lifted Prezi’s visibility and sent him on the road to support his expanding catalog.

Early 2018 brought his first mixtape, also titled Do Better, which featured appearances by Lil Blood, Tree Thomas, and additional guests. That project marked the start of a busy release schedule: Still in the Hood arrived later in the year, followed by the collaborative Hood Presidents with Philthy Rich. Both projects extended the momentum that began when, after narrowly avoiding prison in a murder case, the Bay Area rapper poured his energy into music and watched his debut single become a viral hit. Further remixes by established names such as Mozzy and OMB Peezy kept his output circulating throughout the period.