Reach (rapper)

Reach, born Stacy D. Smith, hails from Kansas City, Mo. Five short years after being introduced to Hip-Hop culture in 1986 Reach began writing and reciting rhymes at the tender age of thirteen. His early stylings were heavily influenced by lyrical gunslingers Keith Murray and Kurupt. After nearly a decade of honing and perfecting his craft he helped to form a local independent Rap label, Kingdome Records. Three years and a full-length compilation album later he opted to pursue greener pastures as a solo artist. In 2003, Reach began a blistering campaign to garner exposure with a brief stint on a national tour (2003 Vans Warped Tour) and a self-released EP in the summer of 2003.

Reach released his debut album, Joys, Disappointments & The In-Between, in the Fall of 2004. In 2005 Reach was named the winner of the Scion Next Up contest (a national Rap talent search) sponsored by Toyota Scion. Reach’s sophomore album, Corner Speech, was released in November 2007. The intercontinental album project (of a dozen tracks) was produced solely by Copenhagen producer Twelve Beats. In 2008, he was named the winner of a Pitch Music Award in the Hip Hop category. He also played two dates on the Vans Warped Tour. His latest effort, The Pen Pusha Mixtape, was released by West Coast imprint Wilshire District Music on January 11, 2011. Reach has opened for national acts The Roots, Talib Kweli, Big Daddy Kane, Kev Brown, Oddisee, Trek Life, Othello, P.O.S, Devin The Dude, Abyss (HBO Def Jam Poet), Sound Tribe Sector 9, Kindred The Family Soul, Pharcyde, Jeru The Damaja, Blackalicious, Soulive, and Heiruspecs. Reach is currently promoting his new project and setting up regional and national touring dates.

Reach has released five album projects to date: Joys, Disappointments, and the In-Between (2004), Corner Speech (2008), The Pen Pusha Mixtape (2011), Live at recordBar (2013), Perfect Strangers as part of duo The Strangers and the forthcoming Nothing Gold Can Stay (September 2017).