REKing the Mic!

As a youngster, REKS was into break dancing and was a part of the Funk Town Connection(FTC) dancing crew that competed around the city of Lawrence. Soon after he would begin to experiment with the rhyming element of the culture, first by mimicking the styles of some of his early heroes, then by penning lyrics of his own.

As the years passed, REKS began to gain notoriety around his hometown as an impressive emcee through cypher battles and stage performances. Upon entering college at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, REKS' thirst for the microphone continued to progress. After a year at the university, REKS would venture off to a flourishing Boston underground scene where he would begin penning his classic debut "Along Came the Chosen" under the guidance of his Generation X team formed with Soul Searchers production, manager Shay Boogs, and group members Lucky Dice, Chi Knox and Kiki Breevlife.

Countless other members were affiliated to form a solid foundation. Brick Records would release his critically acclaimed LP which would see him nominated for best Boston Hip-Hop Album & Artist of the Year. REKS would go on to be featured in the Source, XXL, VIBE and URBS next 100 to blow up all while charting at the top of college radios play list and placing 45 on Billboards hot new singles chart with Skills 101.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved in Hip-Hop?

REKS: Seems like all my life but I grew up listening to the likes of KRS One, Rakim, Slick Rick, Kane and LL so I began in a Golden Era where the art form was pure and raw...I feel like out the incubator there was hip-hop flowing in my veins, lol....its deep!

HipHopInformant: What made you get involved in Hip-Hop?


REKS: I started out learning how to break-dance with my cousins as a young'n and when I first saw Beat Street I would spit Kool Moe Dees rhymes from the Christmas Rap.....from there I began penning my own lyrics and the rest is Reks.

HipHopInformant: Where are you from and do you think where you’re from influences your music?


REKS: I was born in Lawrence, MA and I spent later years in Boston and I def think there are influences in my styles bred by the area I am from. I grew up in a very poor city which was small in comparison to your typical surroundings I use everything I have seen in my travels as material to write about for people to digest....

HipHopInformant: How would you describe the way you rap as?

REKS: I feel it passionate and soulful as well as raw and uncut....

HipHopInformant: What are your views on the state of Hip-Hop at this present moment in time?


REKS: Majority of rap sucks and we to blame so I don’t wanna dwell on it but I am taking full responsibility for the lack of creativity and imagination with my new album “Grey Hairs”....Statik Selektah and I are releasing my third solo album soon and we plan to elevate sh*t to where it is supposed to be...

HipHopInformant: If there was one thing you could change about Hip-Hop what would it be?

REKS: The lack of attention to good artists.

HipHopInformant: Does your music have a message? If so, what is the message?

REKS: I don’t have an exact theme that resonates but I will say this, when someone opens my CD, I’m talking two fans or two million, I want them to feel like they heard something timeless, where they can comeback years later and dig my records....and want them to be able to relate.

HipHopInformant: What is the most enjoyable thing about performing?

REKS: The rush...the energy between me and the crowd.

HipHopInformant: How did the name REKS come about?

REKS: It’s an acronym.....Rhythmatic Eternal King Suspense or Supreme.....reks is king and I wanted to just connect with the idea of something elite.....


HipHopInformant: Are there any artists that influence you?


REKS: Too many to name....my taste is eclectic...I love Stevie Wonder and Biggie Smalls, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd...Scarface, Outkast, Nas, Common the Wu....John Mayer...lol.

HipHopInformant: What does the future hold for REKS?

REKS: Hopefully alot and I just want to remain blessed....I appreciate the time you took with me big up and much success to you.....Grey Hairs album coming soon....Statik Selektahs SPELL MY NAME RIGHT in stores now.....peace boss.

http://www.myspace.com/reksmdiesel

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