Artist Of The Week – Reign

Hailing from Long Island, specifically Brentwood, NY, Reign has not led the easiest of lives. From being homeless to being a single parent while bouncing from shelter to shelter, the deck did not look stacked in his favor. Some people feel adversity builds character and if that’s the case Reign had to be wondering how much character he really needed. His music career started a decade ago and in 1997 he formed The Puerto Rox with Lou Diggz. The group disbanded in 2001 after Reign’s close friend and hype man, Blast, was killed. After reevaluating his life Reign was ready to go solo and hit people with his music again. He’s performed at nearly 100 clubs, showcases and benefits and this week he’s being featured here as my Artist Of The Week.

Adam Bernard: Your past, I know it’s not the most enjoyable topic in the world, but tell me about being homeless while raising a child. What was your day to day regiment like?
Reign: Well, it wasn’t easy. I think one of the hardest parts of it was watching lil’ man have to travel to school and go through not having everything that a lot of other kids had. He used to take a bus that would be almost a three hour ride EACH way to and from school because the area we were living in wouldn’t let him register in that district because we were considered “temporary residents.” In other words, they didn’t want the homeless element in their nice, wealthy district. He started Kindergarten in a hotel we were temporarily housed at. There was no refrigerator there so we used to hang the milk out the back window from a bag so we could keep it fresh. Then I got smart and got a cooler. That’s when I started putting my Colt 45 out the window, lol. We’ve been to almost every single shelter out here on LI. The Department of Social Services has basically constructed a plan that is almost guaranteed to make you fail. There are so many families going through shit much worse than I did but the homeless and “families in need” population is pretty much swept under the rug by politicians out here because they want LI to be looked at as the “nice area” with trees and driveways. We got hoods here too, niggaz be bangin out on a regular. In fact, I think it’s harder out here to be homeless or in a shelter than it is in other areas because of the lack of transportation and the peanuts DSS gives you to survive. It’s extremely easy to go the wrong route because of the feeling of desperation and hopelessness you wake up with everyday. I thank The Lord everyday for all I have and all that COULD have happened, but didn’t.

Adam Bernard: How has your past affected your music?
Reign: I believe the past affects all work from true artists, that’s why its real frustrating watching what Hip-Hop has turned into in lately. Rappers talking about how rich they are is corny and it’s making Hip-Hop look bad. I mean, the average nigga that’s struggling in the hood can’t relate to Cristal and iced out fashions cuz the average nigga can’t afford it. Of course, you have those superstars in the hood that’s really hustlin and makin shit happen, but the average, nah they don’t know. All the struggles and mishaps in my life I wouldn’t change for anything because it’s given me that much more real shit to talk about. I want my music to reach the dude on the corner that’s hustling to eat and to help his family, not the nigga that hustles because he wants to be known in the hood or because his man can get a good deal on a few o’s. I don’t respect that. Do it if you gotta do it, don’t do it just to do it. Greedy niggaz always fall down, I’ve seen it.

Adam Bernard: Having already overcome such adversity in your life, what makes you
want to overcome all the obstacles that are before you being an MC trying to break into the music industry?
Reign: I’m so used to being the underdog in a lot of aspects in my life. Many people haven’t expected me to be anything, much less make anything of my life. I want to be one of the people out here to show others you can do it and you don’t have to change who you are to get it. My music touches people and I want to be able to bring it to the masses. There is no doubt in my mind that persistence overcomes resistance and Reign is destined to prove that theory.

Adam Bernard: What kind of an impact are you looking to make with your music?
Reign: I read your interview with Hired Gun and he brought up something about a conversation he had with someone about touching people through the music. I feel that way too. If I can continue to touch peoples lives, or make an impression on someone, that’s what I want to do. I’m not concerned how others view me or take in my music, I could give a fuck. If they don’t respect me, I’ll make sure they don’t forget me. I do it for those who wanna hear it. Even if its only one person I touch, it’s worth it to me.

Adam Bernard: Finally, what quality do you feel you have that makes you unique as an MC?
Reign: I’m not lookin to be a millionaire, although that’d be ill (laughs). If I could make three dollars or $400 a week doing what I love to do I’d be happy. That makes me unique cuz I’m not tryin to make an album for the clubs or make a track to all my “iced out niggaz” just to get paid and then put out more garbage every year. It’s all good in moderation but niggaz be OD’ing with that shit. Hip-Hop needs more originality, more realness, more hunger. Now THAT’S where Reign comes in. I don’t wanna be known as the illest lyricist out there, but I want it to be known that when my shit drops niggaz better stop eatin so much and learn how to be hungry again before the predator becomes the prey.

Websites: SignReign.com, musicfreedom.com/reign & soundclick.com/reignbrentwoodli

MySpace: myspace.com/supremereign

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