Reason, lyricist vocalist, poet, artist, fashion designer, animator, and co-founder of Word Warriors Worldwide Movement, is not an artist to be missed. Using Music as a vehicle Reason delivers a creative and entertaining combination of social and spiritual content, spiced with occasional comedy, drama and storytelling.
Raised in the coastal hills of rural Humboldt county, seasoned in the thriving Bay Area underground, Reason delivers a uniquely mystical blend of reggae, hip-hop, and modern roots music. Born Andreas Smith in 1979, to a family of artists, this Northern California Native was encouraged in the arts from preschool age on. He performed in many plays, sang at talent shows, won awards for short stories, and was a promising visual artist. Early in high school he developed an interest in social and environmental justice, and began exploring ways to convey political messages through art. His goal was to touch the world like great political artists such as Bob Marley and Diego Rivera. At this point he recognized music as an extremely powerful artistic medium. His aspirations as a lyricist took shape with him writing and recording his first original songs as a high school project. His first songs were a socially conscious blend of reggae-dancehall style chants on various styles of soul and hip-hop beats, inspired by Jr. Reid, Capleton, and Lauryn Hill.
In 1997 Reason moved to the bay area to pursue a higher education in visual arts and animation. Upon his arrival he became involved in the hip-hop underground, further developing his lyrical writing and freestyle skills. He began doing shows in 1998 with his own crew, The Pride, performing with underground crews and activist groups such as The CUF, Renaissance and Mission:(now Crown City Rockers). Through the following years Reason worked with several hip-hop crews as well as live bands in Humboldt County and the Bay Area. His styles expanded with elements of folk, funk, Latin groove, dub, and beyond.
From open mics to live band stage shows to street ciphers Reason can be heard rocking cleverly crafted mind-opening lyrics. He has been seen blessing the stage with such artists as Michael Franti and Spearhead, Del, Mutabaruka, the Gladiators, Rocker T, Shinehead, Ras K'dee and the One Struggle Band, Mikey Dread, Lifesavas, and, the Coup, and featured at anti-globalization and environmental rallies.
Reason is recognizable for his charismatic stage personality and down-to-earth interaction with crowds. Through his eclectic life and musical experience reason has developed a unique and diverse style of lyricism. His sound ranges from classic hip-hop to modern reggae to a dynamic fusion of soulful folk lyrics calling on his Celtic Roots, melded with new-school grooves. Now recording his solo debut Reason continues to be committed to positive progressive music and artistic expression. Balancing the energies of rural and urban, strength and compassion, organic and electronic a futuristic yet ancient vibe is created. Reason is determined to touch the world with a lively combination of lyrics, beats, stage-shows and videos, with a message of unity, justice, and happiness.
