Reks - Grey Hairs

Title: Grey Hairs
Artist: Reks
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Record Label: Brick Records
Producers: Blaze P, Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, Large Professor, Soul Theory, 1914, Demo
Executive Producer: Statik Selektah

Sincerity and candor have always been attractive qualities in an emcee. It’s what captivates hip-hop’s true fans, those listeners looking for inspiration from real life content that they can really relate to. Reks, a veteran emcee hailing from Boston, has successfully found that niche between the fluff fantasy that floods today’s commercial offerings and the overly conscious rhymes normally seen from the underground; he’s willing to tell it like it really is. On Grey Hairs, his sophomore studio album, Reks offers an entertaining mix of reflective and inspiring rhymes and yet at times, his disputatious thoughts.

Reks came out the gates flying with his 2001 critically acclaimed debut album, Along Came The Chosen, and as a result received himself opportunities to tour with more mainstream artists. Seven years and two street albums later, Reks has created an album dedicated to him growing up in hip-hop and the development he’s experienced throughout. As a result, it’s most likely going to be the more mature hip-hop listening audience that will respond favorably to Reks’ project. He has the uncanny ability to invoke emotion in his listeners, and at times is able to create such a vivid atmosphere that you feel like you’re right there with him.

Except for a handful of tracks, Statik Selektah produces nearly the entire album, and he’s effective in laying the perfect groundwork for Reks to work. Highlights include the album’s second single, “The One,” in which a confident Reks explains to his listeners why he’s worthy of their ears. “All In One (5 Mics)” is a creative track in which Reks and guest Lil’ Fame mimic the cadence and delivery of the late greats Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Big L and Big Pun. “Isiah” is a dedication to Reks’ son, who also helps the emcee open up the album. Although the album is not short on guest appearances (we are blessed with the presence of Termanology, Consequence, Krumbsnatcha, Paula Campbell, Skyzoo, Big Shug, John Hope, Lucky Dice, and Lil’ Fame), Reks easily stands out, demonstrating his passionate emcee capabilities on every single one of the twenty tracks.

Reks says it perfectly when he states, “Even through all this garbage, nonsense, media sponsors, I'm gonna spit the raw shit, regardless” (“Say Goodnight”). Overall, the production by Statik Selektah and talented others (including veterans DJ Premier and Large Professor), along with Reks’ passionate content and flow, gives an overall East Coast underground feel that is going to result in Grey Hairs landing on a lot of top album lists of 2008.