The Story of Cesar Valadez: From Beats to Broadcasts

At just 14 years old, Cesar Valadez walked into a Denver electronics store and discovered music production software that would forever change his life. What started as simple curiosity quickly became a lifelong calling.

Self-taught and fiercely determined, Valadez spent countless hours mastering beats and melodies, eventually establishing Ceez Major Productions. At the same time, he cultivated a parallel passion for visual storytelling, rising to become an Emmy Award-winning television news photojournalist in one of the nation’s most competitive media markets.

“It gives me purpose,” Valadez said. “I feel my purpose is to create and make an impact.”

Inspired by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and the sounds of his upbringing, Valadez began producing for local artists while still in high school. His authentic sound — rooted in personal experience, street culture, and emotional depth — quickly earned respect across R&B and hip-hop circles. Within five years, he was producing for artists well beyond Denver.

For Valadez, hip-hop is more than music; it’s a universal language capable of connecting people from vastly different backgrounds. “There are people who didn’t grow up like I did but still connect to the empowerment it brings,” he reflected.

That resilience was tested in 2020 when he lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of retreating, Valadez doubled down on his creativity, producing music videos and sharpening his visual craft. His breakthrough came when a news photographer noticed his work, leading to an opportunity at Univision Denver. In his first year, he won two Emmy Awards. He has since earned two more in 2025 and now works at a Fox affiliate, where he continues to tell powerful local and national stories.

Even with success in broadcast journalism, music remains his true passion. Valadez maintains full creative control over his projects — from concept and direction to shooting and editing — allowing him to merge his talents seamlessly.

Looking ahead, he plans to expand his musical catalog while developing documentaries and launching a YouTube channel. Above all, his mission is simple: to inspire the next generation, especially his son.

“I want to show my son, and others, that you can follow your dreams,” he said. “Just don’t give up.”

By Tony Valdez