Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
Reiki
About Reiki
Reiki utilizes their rap practice to refine who they are. Their ability to weave in and out of concepts, metaphors, double entendres, while still expressing a clear message and story is a testament to how much they love their craft.
Performances & Content from Reiki
Learn More About Reiki
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I’m tired of replicating what once was and do things that push the envelope. We can’t be afraid of doing cooler, more creative things because its not going to make money. People act like hip hop and underground rap is dead but only follow the mainstream. I won’t let them kill us off like that. There are many new artists like me and many others that are rapping, bearing their hearts and souls into this and showing a very refined talent. I want to deepen my practice as hip hop and rap connects everything and everyone. It is temporal. It is a network of artisans, craftspeople, linguists, and sociologists. We owe it to ourselves to keep pursuing ourselves through our art.
What do you love about music and performing?
It teaches you mind body connection. Music moves your emotions through you. Everyone responds to different forms of communication. We are all collectively looking to save ourselves through this thing called music. Everyone’s trying to make it big for their families, for their kids, for their inner children. That is the power of the people. The passion that allows us to endure and innovate. The stakes are higher than ever and I’ve spent my life navigating collapsing structures. Music as an insitution is also one of them. I hope that I can positively and substantially contribute to the restructure of the system of music. When I make my music, I’m reminded how much my language does shape my experience of life. Performing and being on stage is a measure of how well I’ve practiced. I love having fun with others. Being a performer isn’t about being fake, but truly expressing yourself in your highest form. My swag, my cadence, my message, I built it up from nothing. This is my pride.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My cousin Tahj, Janet Jackson, Earl Sweatshirt, Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick Lamar, D’Angelo, and Andre 3000 are my biggest inspirations. I don’t have a dream collaboration only bc of the nature of collaboration. I can only hope that whoever I collaborate with, we make something mindblowing.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
Let’s be serious for a second. I got bills to pay, 2 cats, a girlfriend and a mother to take care of. I’d use the money for them and then put it into music videos and equipment. Depending on where I’m at financially, I’d also be able to help out w some mutual aid or throw one of those events.
Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.