Raptalk.Net hooked up with one of the current brightest stars on the New York Hip-Hop scene, Reks!

Reks released an album this year, the critically acclaimed "Grey Hairs" project which we ofcourse discuss in the interview. We talk about the level of success the album has reached and how Reks feels as he is a new artist since the release of the album.

We also discuss his previous albums and how he's grown since then. Not to mention his new album, "More Grey Hairs" which will be dropping on New Years Day!

Enjoy the interview... 

Raptalk.Net: Raptalk.Net is right here with Reks; how are you doing?

Reks: I’m feeling good fam. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me.

Raptalk.Net: My pleasure. You were born in Massachusetts; what was life like growing up in 

your neighborhood?

Reks: I was born in Lawrence, MA.  I come from an extremely poor neighborhood dominated 

in population by Latinos and a small black community. If there is a black person from my 

neighborhood there either family or closely tied to my family. I grew up with very little and I 

watched my mother struggle to raise me and my siblings.

Raptalk.Net: That must have been tough. How and when did you get into Hip-Hop?

Reks: I started rapping at an early age.  I was first into break dancing and was a member of 

the Funk Town Connection, a group that competed around the city when we were young. I feel 

as if I was born with hip-hop.  I can barely remember a day it has not been a part in my life.

Raptalk.Net: We feel that. Who were your musical influences as you grew up?

Reks: Everyone. Stevie Wonder, KRS ONE, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Rakim, 

Slick Rick so many more.

Raptalk.Net: That’s a good list. You began getting into the Hip-Hop culture as a break-dancer 

with The FTC…

Reks: Yeah...That is a flashback to innocence; Cardboard boxes, Kangol, windbreakers and 

Adidas with the fat lace.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about that.

Reks: I used to watch beat street, wild style and even breakin' dying to go out and try out new 

moves. I was young. Most of my moves consisted of pop n lock and backspins (Laughs).

Raptalk.Net: How would you compare rapping to break-dancing?

Reks: They are both essential arts that when perfected can mesmerize an audience.  However, 

when neglected and left idle hands we are left with a lack of innovation and loss of there true 

beauty.

Raptalk.Net: Great answer. Have you lost that skill or can you still get down and break-dance?

Reks: Man, please. Those days are over.

Raptalk.Net: True. Do you feel break-dancing is a lost art and is under appreciated in Hip-Hop 

right now?

Reks: Without a doubt.

Raptalk.Net: You then decided to pick up the mic and rap; what lead you to that decision?

Reks: I used to mimic anybody I could as a youngster from voice to style to dress. I started to 

pen my first rhymes in elementary and caught the bug.  To remain consistent i have reminisced 

on those days frequently to keep the fire burning.

Raptalk.Net: Cool! You gained respect in your hometown via cipher battles and 

performances – tell us about that and what your mind state was like during it all?

Reks: I wanted everyone to respect me on the mic so I was in every cipher every competition 

and at every show trying to be heard.  That desire remains now.

Raptalk.Net: I see. Did you have confidence and did you see yourself reaching the level of 

success you are currently at?

Reks: I feel I am far from the level of success I plan to reach.  But my measure of success is 

not in sales.  It is reaching as many of those desperate for quality hip-hop as possible.  Ask me 

when I am dead.

Raptalk.Net: You eventually dropped out of college to pursue a Hip-Hop career; quite the 

risky decision. When and how did you decide on that and were you worried at all?

Reks: No regrets and never worried.  I was taught to chase your dream and live your life not 

influenced by those who judge your decisions.  I felt like music was and is my path so it was a 

no brainier.

Raptalk.Net: What would you have done if it didn't work out? Gone back to school? What 

were you majoring in?

Reks: I was majoring in marketing.  If it didn’t work out then I would have possibly went back 

and finished the degree. That door is never closed so time will tell.

Raptalk.Net: Your debut album, "Along Came the Chosen" was released in 2001. How do you 

feel about that album as you look back?

Reks: I thought it was a solid debut.  I felt it could give more pieces of the man but I was 

young and raw.  I just wanted to rap on that album, wanted to be heard.  With “Grey Hairs”, 

I wanted to relate feeling.  Age is experience.

Raptalk.Net: Interesting. This album lead to touring opportunities with such artists as Rakim, 

Big Daddy Kane and more – tell us about those experiences.

Reks: I opened for a slew of legends off the strength of Chosen and I am still humbled by those 

times.  I still feel the best is yet to come.

Raptalk.Net: What did you learn about performing live from touring with so many legends?

Reks: Just go in.  Command the crowd, own the stage.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about the main difference between that debut album and your second and 

third full-length LP's, "Rekless" and "Happy Holidays."

Reks: “Rekless” I felt was a solid release; we just cut our own legs off by not promoting or 

investing more in it.  “Happy Holidays” was a down time in my life and i just wanted to get 

music out.  Looking back i feel more preparation should have gone into both. Again, Age is 

Experience!

Raptalk.Net: Your recently released "Grey Hairs" album has seen a lot of success, the most 

you've seen in your career. How does that feel?

Reks: It feels good to know people still yearn for quality hip-hop.  Statik (Selektah) and I put

 our all into this project and I feel it has set us up for better things ahead.

Raptalk.Net: It's almost like you are getting promoted and being viewed as a new artist to 

many. Do you feel like a new artist since this album has dropped? 

Reks: Most definitely.  There was a large gap between Chosen and Grey Hairs, seven years.  

The hip-hop attention span is not on pause so I had to reintroduce Reks to the people.  I did 

not allow that to thwart my aim so here we are.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about getting the chance to work with DJ Premier.

Reks: I get this question alot obviously.  And every time I think about it never gets any less 

humbling, amazing, jaw dropping, you know?  He is the greatest of all time hands down and I 

can tell my son I worked with the best.

Raptalk.Net: How does it feel to see a close collaborator in Statik Selektah also make a name 

for him in this Hip-Hop game?

Reks: I am so proud of my brother he is going to be a legend. I believe that.

Raptalk.Net: Have you begun working on the follow up album?

Reks: “More Grey Hairs.”

Raptalk.Net: Release date?

Reks: New Years day.

Raptalk.Net: Guest Appearances & Production?

Reks: Premier, Statik, Termanology, Skyzoo and more.

Raptalk.Net: How do you feel is the best up and coming artist from the East Coast? Why?

Reks: Termanology because he is a beast.

Raptalk.Net: Fair enough. What's up next for Reks?

Reks: The skies the limit; showoff all day.

Raptalk.Net: Do you have any last words?

Reks: Thanks for having me. Thanks to all my supporters. Be sure to check out 

myspace.com/reksmdiesel and showoffhiphop.com. Peace!

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