“I met some Christians, some people my age that loved me for no reason. It was kinda crazy. They were so cool, so kind and nice that it forced me to look at myself. It was the first time I saw myself for who I really was.”
Uncle Reece has a plan. He also has a message. And even more so, he has a purpose. Though it would be easy for most music listeners to classify Uncle Reece as a Gospel artist because “I really didn’t fit anywhere, so I quit trying to fit in,” says the singer/rapper whose musical style meshes together Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Contemporary Christian. With the release of BOLD, Uncle Reece is ready to preach the good word of his music, the only way he knows how. For a young African-American male growing up on the streets of Jacksonville, Florida it was hard to hear God’s message. Raised in a Christian household Uncle Reece’s parents gave him a choice at the age of 13, not wanting to force his hand and make him go to Church. “I got a chance to see what real Christianity was, and then I got to see the fake. What my parents had was real, and that’s why they asked me to do what I believe,” he says. He decided not to go. It would be a few years before he rediscovered his faith.
For a young African-American male growing up on the streets of Jacksonville, Florida it was hard to hear God’s message. Raised in a Christian household Uncle Reece’s parents gave him a choice at the age of 13, not wanting to force his hand and make him go to Church. “I got a chance to see what real Christianity was, and then I got to see the fake. What my parents had was real, and that’s why they asked me to do what I believe,” he says. He decided not to go. It would be a few years before he rediscovered his faith.
As he tried to stay out of trouble and avoid the vices of the inner city streets that were swallowing his peers, Uncle Reece struggled through high school. But at 19 years old, arrived at a crossroads in his life. “I met some Christians, some people my age that loved me for no reason. It was kinda crazy. They were so cool, so kind and nice that it forced me to look at myself. It was the first time I saw myself for who I really was.” But while he initially looked to be saved at a Church, Uncle Reece says he was almost turned away. “Statistically, the most Un-churched population in the U.S. is the African American male from 19-30, because when we show up, we aren’t always welcomed,” Uncle Reece explains, before recalling a story that has stuck with him through the years. “The first time I went to church on my own, I was 19, and into some foolishness. I pulled into a church and I was looking for God for real.” Uncle Reece says that a woman at the door questioned his dress code. “This lady was like, ‘Son, you didn’t have no pants?’ So I left. I could have died that weekend. You say you represent God, but I wanted God, and because I met you first, I didn’t get him.”
Uncle Reece’s story is a testament to how God’s presence can change someone’s life. After he got saved, he enrolled in Florida State, and became a VP in the student government. He earned a 3.8 GPA and graduated with an Associates’ Degree in Mathematics. “At that time in my life, I had just given my life to God, and music represented a lot of stuff I wanted to get away from. I associated music with the things I had left behind,” he reveals. Now, having already broken through the Gospel Billboard charts (the independently released “Until I Pass Out” reached #20), Uncle Reece message is bold enough to go where many other artists, especially rappers, have been afraid to go. “A lot of people who listen to Rap can’t accept a positive message through that art form. I come rapping bout Jesus, and they not even gonna listen. But as time progresses, gospel rap is going to get bigger.” You better believe.
Key Markets
Atlanta, Charlotte, Virginia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville,
Memphis, Nashville, Savannah, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, Arkansas, Columbia,
Washington, DC, New York, Birmingham, Dallas, Bahamas
Radio Highlights
“Until I Pass Out “Billboard top 20
“I Can’t Help Myself”Billboard top 20
Press/Digital Highlights
The Belle Report, Gospel Music Channel.com Billboard.com, Mcdonalds.com, chicagotribune.com
DetroitGospel.com, GospelFlava.com, GospelCity.com, Global Grind, Hello Beautiful, Vibe.com, All Hip Hop.com, Hip Hop DX, Bet.com, liveurbanlux.com, Kontrol magazine
Events
Essence Festival, McDonalds Gospel Tour, Mega Fest, Stellar Awards, Dove Awards, #GetBOLDTour, Praise in the Park ATL, Flavor Fest, Summer Fest
Churches
Potters House Dallas -Bishop TD. Jakes, New Light Church– Bishop I.V. Hilliard, City of Refuge– Bishop Noel Jones Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church -E. Dewey Smith, Mount Airy COGIC Pastor Dr. J. Louis Felton, Ebenezer AME Church -Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr, Wake Chapel Church – Pastor J. J. Wilkins, Jr. Greater Bethlehem Temple Church – Bishop Robert Nelson Fortson, Sr. New Salem Baptist Church- Dr. Frank E. Ray, Sr. Greater Grace Temple- Bishop Charles H. Ellis III Potters House Jacksonville, FL,-Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin Titus Harvest Dome Spectrum– Apostle R.J. Washington, Victory Christian Ministries International – Pastor Tony Brazelton Redeeming Word Christian Center– Pastor Ed Brinson
