Meet Aaron Bueno | Art Director & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Bueno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Hello my name is Aaron Bueno, also known as Chief Steeze. I’m born and raised in East Los Angeles to a Filipino mother and a Mexican-American father. My personal cultural background in combination with the Chicano culture that echoes through East Los Angeles and the affluent nature of Los Angeles as a whole, has had a major impact and influence on who I am today as a person and as an artist. I take great pride in being an Angeleno representing the community that I’m from and being a positive influence to anyone who comes from a similar background as me.

What would you like people to know more about you/your brand?
What I want the world to know about Chief Steeze and my brand Channel Something Zen [CSZ+] is its legacy being cemented on organic growth and authenticity. Much like The Marathon resonates strongly with Nipsey Hussle’s personal identity, [CSZ+] resonates strongly with my personal identity. Channel Something Zen+ doubles to also mean Chief Steeze’s Zenith, which means reaching the most successful version of myself. Channel Something Zen+ is to reach the most successful version of yourself and to do so being your most authentic self doing what brings you peace, happiness, and fulfillment in your life. What Channel Something Zen means to me is collaborating with artists that I personally resonate with and to nurture a connection with them in hopes to create something that synergizes our talents and vision to deliver an impactful message or experience. All the artists I’ve photographed and have worked with are artists I am fans of and are inspired by. I’m proud to say I’ve worked with these artists and have gained my opportunities by making organic connections through networking opportunities at pop-ups, artist activations, free concerts, and other events. Through these occasions, I’ve been able to meet and connect with people who are involved with the artist and build relationships with artists themselves. It’s been a LONG journey, but the journey itself has been what’s generated the memories and experiences I will cherish for a lifetime along with setting a solid foundation to build my career through the connections I’ve made along the way. I’ve learned once you find what ignites passion within you and you consistently channel to that frequency, the greatest version of you evolves from the experiences that come from vibrating at that frequency. Prioritizing peace, prosperity, and happiness allows you to lead your life to attract experiences and people that mirror the energy and attention you’re focusing into that very frequency.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend or family member is visiting I would take them to the obvious tourist destinations: Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the Santa Monica Pier. If it’s any of my friends or family members that enjoy art and museums I would take them to The Broad, The Getty, or the Getty Villa.
When it comes to eating and having a drink we have to get Maccheroni Republic and head down to Perch after. 71 Above is lovely to eat and enjoy a drink with a view too. I can always opt for tacos at Avenue 26 and park up at a downtown post up spot really depends on what the person I’m with is feeling.
The most fun, interesting, and exciting places to check out revolve around putting yourself in lively settings. Whether it’s the beach, a hike, an amusement park, or anywhere, you’ll catch a vibe and make memories with a positive vibe and attitude.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to the very people who brought me into this world. My mother and my father have been with me my entire life and have been nothing but loving and supportive. My mother is the whole reason for having any kind of progression in my artistic career, without her I would have never owned the camera that’s brought me the lifelong memories and career that I’ll cherish to the end of time.
I would like to shoutout Capital Steez, Tyler the Creator, Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant, and every other influence I have. If it weren’t for Pro Era and Odd Future, and witnessing Tyler the Creator’s stardom first hand and so early on in my life, I wouldn’t believe the dreams I hold deep in my heart are attainable.
I would also like to shoutout my best friends, cousins, and family. Without their continued support and encouragement I can’t imagine I would have accomplished half the things I’ve done. Special shoutout to everyone who’s ever given me a ride to one of my gigs when I didn’t have a car, Chris & Miguel you already know what you mean to me.
Lastly, my final shoutout goes to any supporters and friends I make in the future. I pray I can inspire you to cultivate your own peace and your own community of supportive people who want nothing but the best for you.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/chiefsteeze

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronbuenoswag

Image Credits
Chief Steeze/[CSZ+]