February 2010 Poets-in-Residence
Celebrating the Written Word
Verse taken from "You Don't Hear Me Though" (Pro Rev ft. Reach)
VERSE:
I know a man he just a step away
His only problem is he swept away by yesterday
If he would just appraise his life he’d know it’s just a way
To shower him with just enough and wash the rest away
And ain’t it like the pain to make a way to keep it going
But he ain’t knowing that the rain’s a way to keep him growing
So he finds a way to give his trouble right of way
He pushed the light away and ends up wasting life away
I understand when walls are falling they can topple you
You ain’t on top of the world the world on top of you
But you let it have its way so that it conquers you
And let it stand in the way of what you try to do
If that’s alright with you it gotta be alright with me
I ain’t the one who gon’ be dealing with the life you lead
I try to steer him and I swear I speak in stereo
But he ain’t caring so I know that he don’t hear me though
Reach - Verse from You Don't Hear Me Though
Biography: Reach is as compelling and as atypical an emcee as you'll find in the Rap genre. He utilizes what he calls blue-collar Rap, a more reality-based personable brand of Hip-Hop, to combat an industry saturated with propaganda. This emcee, by most accounts, is considered to be a throwback to the artform's golden age. With content as distinctive and as poignant as his he's aiming to raise the bar and escort the Rap genre back to greatness.
Reach, born Stacy D. Smith, hails from Kansas City, MO. Five short years after being introduced to Hip-Hop culture in 1986, Reach began writing and reciting rhymes at the tender age of thirteen. His early stylings were heavily influenced by lyrical gunslingers Keith Murray and Kurupt. After nearly a decade of honing and perfecting his craft he helped to form a local independent Rap label, Kingdome Records. Three years and a full-length compilation album later he opted to pursue greener pastures as a solo artist. In 2003, Reach began a blistering campaign to garner exposure with a brief stint on a national tour (2003 Vans Warped Tour) and a self-released EP in the summer of 2003.
Reach released his debut album, Joys, Disappointments & The In-Between, in the fall of 2004. In 2005 Reach was named the winner of the Scion Next Up contest (a national Rap talent search) sponsored by Toyota Scion. He shot a fully-produced music video in Los Angeles, California (currently running on scion.com/broadband). The talented songwriter, artist, and producer recently released his sophomore project, Corner Speech, in November 2007. The new album features 12 tracks produced solely by Copenhagen producer Twelve Beats. Reach maintains a steady performance schedule and spent time on the Vans Warped Tour in both 2007 and 2008. In the Summer of 2008 he was nominated and named the 2008 Pitch Music Award winner in the Hip Hop category. In the Fall of 2008 Reach promoted a Hip Hop musical (touring nationally), Clay, for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Reach has opened for national acts The Roots, Big Daddy Kane, Kev Brown, Oddisee, Trek Life, Othello, P.O.S, Devin The Dude, Abyss (HBO Def Jam Poet), Sound Tribe Sector 9, Kindred The Family Soul, Pharcyde, Jeru The Damaja, Blackalicious, Soulive, and Heiruspecs. Reach is currently promoting his new album, Corner Speech, and setting up regional and national touring dates.
For booking please contact: Stacy D. Smith, 816/308-5936 or fudgefactorysounds@gmail.com
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