Papa Reu 'Music and Life' album

Artistic credibility goes a long way in an industry that all-too-often creates one-hit wonders – and none are more credible or distinctive than Sanctuary Urban’s Papa Reu. Boasting an indelible Hip Hop style that oozes the flavor of his native Tobago, Papa Reu is innovative as artists come. Having instituted a new and completely liberated form of music– Thug Hall – Reu is poised for illimitable success. “Straight off the corner island influenced Hip Hop,” Reu’s adaptation has cultivated itself into a winning tradition, progressing slowly but surely since 8Ball & MJG’s heralded On The Outside Looking In. Unique as his peers want to be, Papa Reu is destined to break a new artform while remaining true to his Island roots.

“I love reggae music, but I don’t do reggae music,” Reu confirms. “The difference with me is I rap, I sing and you can hear the island influence in my voice. The key to my music is that I want people to understand at least 98% of what I say. I want people to be able to go to the club and say my s*&t word for word, even though I’m an island boy.”

With a discography that includes three independent releases through his own Reu Muzik, Papa Reu’s fourth full length album comes off the heels of a joint venture with Sanctuary Urban Records Group. After collaborating with Solange Knowles on The Fighting Temptations soundtrack, Reu performed with the singer in Orlando at the Tom Joyner Birthday Bash -- subsequently blowing Sanctuary Urban President Mathew Knowles away. Needless to say, the label was elated to sign Reu and began working on his latest gem– Life and Music.

“Reutro” sets Life and Music off with a chorus of drums that does everything to let the music masses know Papa Reu has arrived and is on the scene for good. 504 Boyz member Currency joins Reu on “Streets Calling,” an uptempo ditty that speaks to Reu’s hardships in the unforgiving game that is Hip Hop.

Reu flexes his Thug Hall skills on the club friendly “Clap To This,” priming the listener for a bevy of ear candy; while “Mr. Goodbye” addresses Papa Reu the diplomat. “That’s one of my favorite joints,” Reu says. “Every woman has had a Mr. Goodbye in their life. They love his company but he doesn’t want to sit down. He’s always on the go.”

The melodic lead single, “Hold On,” moves to maintain Papa Reu’s unmistakable flow with a familiar Shalamar sample, and holds even deeper undertones. “I didn’t know what the hell to write for this song, but I loved the track.” Reu tells. “I had writer’s block for months, and as soon as that Tsunami hit, I went to the studio and knocked it out. So the pain that everyone was feeling around that tragedy, it moved me to write. It was inspired by something and that’s why I feel strongly about this record.”

Reu continues to show his versatility on the West Coast influenced “Ridin’ Old School” and tops off a stellar project with collaborations among the likes of Lil Flip, Lil Keke, Hawk (“Represent”), Boo (“Highway”), Juvenile (“Bubble Eye”) and Cazual on the title track.

Upon leaving his native land to live with his brother, who was attending college in Houston, Papa Reu finished his secondary schooling at Jack Yates High School. It was there that he began his musical trek, ultimately earning his stripes at a talent show, which he won convincingly. No sooner than he could enjoy the fruits of his success, Reu caught the attention of Memphis natives 8Ball and MJG, who enlisted the fifteen year old wunderkind on their Hip Hop classic – On The Outside Looking In (“Lick Em Up Shots”).

From there Papa Reu teamed up with H Town, who also attended Yates, and collaborated with the group to record “Baby I Love Ya,” Buss One” and “Rock it Steady” off of the multi platinum Beggin’ After Dark. Reu toured with the foursome for two years before laying down the vocals for the title track on The Luniz debut album – Operation Stackola. He then moved to New Orleans and eventually hooked up with the city’s hottest commodity -- Ca$h Money’s Juvenile. Spontaneous sessions led to a meeting with the label’s CEO/artist Baby, and before long Papa Reu was an unofficial member of the notorious Ca$h Money click.

In close to four years of touring with Ca$h Money, Papa Reu contributed infectious lyrics with the collective including “Shoot First” from Hot Boys Guerilla Warfare, Juvenile’s “Rich Niggas,” “We Love Stuntin’” alongside the Big Tymers and Lil Wayne’s “Like Me.”

“All that time I was still trying to find myself,” Reu explains. “I was trying to find what I really wanted to do. So really, the singing melodies and all that was straight, but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I really found where I’m at with this music.”

Excuse Me, Papa Reu’s debut indy album as a solo artist, offered him the chance to shine in his own right, ultimately selling over 50,000 units independently. “When I was with Ca$h Money I was halfway doing an album for them over there,” he says, “and I never downed them, because they got me to where I am today. But I named my first album Excuse Me because I felt it was my turn.”

Reu continued to flourish contributing jingles for Field Mob on their debut – 613: Ashy To Classy, and in 2001 dropped his sophomore indy project – U Know Me. Unfortunately, the promising album was released on September 11, 2001 – the day the world changed. $40,000 worth of promotions down the drain, Reu took a hit, but didn’t allow the circumstances to stop him. He bounced back in 2002 with the memorable “Tight Whips” alongside Master P and the 504 Boyz collective. 2003’s Certified marked Papa Reu’s third full length album, which ultimately catapulted the Tobago native into the ranks of the music industry elite.

Finally granted artistic liberation alongside the Sanctuary Urban Music Group, his epic tale has ironically just begun. From the Islands to some of America’s most notorious hoods, his time is now.

“Everybody in the South, when they want that sound, they already know,” he says. “They get at me. If it ain’t Reu it ain’t right.”

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Papa Reu - Music and Life