[Interview] Reks: Straight Talk, No Chaser
Fresh off the release of his latest album Straight, No Chaser the underground favorite Reks took time out of preparation for his most recent project to discuss with us at The Well Versed. No newcomer to the game, the “Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme” offers introspection on his latest work, artistic growth, as well as provides his personal commentary on recent social events such as the Trayvon Martin case.
The Well Versed: You’ve been in the game for over 10 years now, what keeps you motivated and passionate about the music you continue to make?
Reks: The need for people to speak out. The need for individuals to not be cliché, and to drop material that’s justice for the kids. Just making sure there is still respect for the architects that came before us honestly.
TWV: From your first LP Along Came The Chosen, up until now is there anything you feel you’ve evolved at in terms of being an artist during this time?
Reks: I do feel like I’ve become more of the people’s person. The individual that represents the every day man that speaks out on the established order of things, and not just in music. Just in this world in general, I feel like I’m more in tune with the nature of being a man for my kids, and for the people in my family who need me to be the man. As an artist I feel like I’ve evolved into the person that people can turn to when they want quality material.
TWV: Talk to us about the new album Straight, No Chaser. How do you interpret it musically?
Reks: It’s a quality album, but I never like to compare my albums. There is a growth in it, and I had to take a step back and I started to touch on topics that I haven’t touched on other projects. I felt like it was time to touch on certain things like relationships from a positive and negative perspective. I’ve touched on those topics but never to the level of depth that I did with this project. My albums mirror my life so when certain issues become prevalent in my life I tend to have them take precedence in the material I put out. I feel quality is quality. I don’t feel like I need to have just a straight line sound for people to appreciate it. On this project I dealt with issues such as social ills that plague our communities so it somewhat has political undertones with it.
TWV: What made you want to do an entire project with Statik Selektah?
Reks: I’ve always wanted to do a whole project with Statik we just needed to find the time. The way he works is crazy, I don’t know anybody with his kind of work ethic. It was a no brainer for me, Statik knows me like no other producer out there, and he respects my work like no one else. The sound that he laced for me just makes for quality material, the kind of material I grew up adoring. It’s the kind of material I wish was more prevalent in Hip Hop now.
