I am Reachout, an MC/Producer, who can also been seen moonlighting as a DJ. I was raised in Scotland, but had a transatlantic ubringing which fueled my passion for rap music. Whilst on one of many trips to New york I was fortunate enough to hook up with the Zulu Nation and meet Afrika Bambatta. Through this connection I was immersed in Hip Hop culture and was subsequently asked to perform in the Bronx as part of the Rock Steady Crews 20th Anniversary.
Taking this energy back to Edinburgh I, with others, set up and ran Scotlands first Hip Hop club 'Seen' and first Hip Hop record label 'Oh Eye Records'. The club became legendary and through the label I was able to release music by myself and other local artists. (Notably the classic Eye Drops compilation and my collaboration with Roots Manuva For Whom The Heart Beats - which was chosen as the Radio One Session in Scotlands' favourite song of the year.)
After these releases I dropped my debut album Roks N Rolls. The album featured a host of local musicians and Hip Hop artists from home and abroad. These collaborations helped give the album a Celtic feel while also retaining a true Hip Hop sound.
Until this point I had been working at different studios, but I really wanted to get hands on and develop my own sound. So, with the help of Art's Council grant, I put together my own studio and went to work on my next album. Basing the studio, which I named Restless Native, around a laptop has allowed me to follow my passion for travel while continuing to collaborate and make music. (Check Fly Baby featuring percussion recorded in Morroco.)
In the past few years some other adventures have included playing gigs in Poland and Italy, voicing tracks for Finley Quaye and producing tracks with Roots Manuva. Last year I relocated to NYC and am getting ready to drop next album..
