After serving 15 years in prison, Worcester rapper Shiz Hleo is making up for lost time. In a recent episode of The Bounce Back Podcast, he sat down with host B Luke to discuss his past, his legal battles, and his music career.
Growing up on the East Side of Worcester, Hleo faced a tough upbringing—no father, an alcoholic mother, and six siblings depending on him. He entered the juvenile justice system at age 9 and spent his teenage years in and out of jail.
At 21, he was charged with trafficking, a shooting, and first-degree murder. He spent six years fighting the case before being acquitted of murder but convicted on a first-time firearm offense, landing him a 15-year sentence.
While serving time in maximum security, Hleo got caught up in stabbings and riots before transferring to medium security, where he focused on education and music. He started writing rap as an outlet, using his experiences to fuel his creativity.
Released in 2021, Hleo jumped straight into his music career. His debut project, “Setback for a Major Comeback,” dropped in 2022, and he’s now promoting his next album, “Flowers in the Attic,” featuring Dice Peso.
Hleo is performing regularly and pushing his message of resilience, self-education, and growth. “I don’t glorify the streets,” he says. “I just tell my story.”
His story is a testament to second chances and the power of reinvention. Through his music, Shiz Leo is proving that no setback is too great to overcome.
