Brian Reith, better known by his stage name B. Reith, is a Christian hip ho… Read Full Bio ↴Brian Reith, better known by his stage name B. Reith, is a Christian hip hop and pop musician from Brown Deer, Wisconsin. B. Reith's musical career began when he released an independent album, Urgent Message, in 2003.

Not many recording artists carry the titles “singer, rapper, songwriter & producer” and stand out in each category. But Gotee Records’ latest signing B.Reith defies expectations and excels in each of these roles.

When Gotee founder Toby Mac first heard B.Reith’s (born Brian Reith) music in 2006 he pulled his car over to the side of the road. “It’s amazing when God truly gives someone a gift,” says Toby. “Brian is just naturally gifted from God vocally and his lyrics, when they hit tape, they sort of just ease into your heart.”

Two years later in 2008, B.Reith finished his debut release The Forecast EP. The five-song EP showcases Brian’s range and depth as a lyricist and musician. From the clever humor of “Go On” in which he explains how to pronounce his name (“It’s messed up when they can’t say your name right, B.Reeth, B.Right naw B.Reith!”) to the compelling message of “Cold World”, in which he pleads “don’t lose yourself in it.” The soulful melodies and rich chord progressions of “Awe-Struck” and “Rain Down” showcase B’s skills as an arranger and a communicator of heartfelt and sophisticated material.

Reith's first full-length album, Now Is Not Forever, was released on September 22, 2009 through Gotee Records.

With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill, B.Reith comes from a unique place that combines classic soul with modern hip hop. “God gave me an ear to pick up things,” says Brian. “My style is just an accumulation of what I’ve heard throughout my life, channeled through the unique talents that God has given me.”

Brian grew up in Milwaukee and began singing on commercials at the age of five. His father, Jim Reith, has owned a recording studio since Brian learned how to walk. "I literally grew up in that studio," says Brian. "I took it for granted when I was young. I ran from music and tried to live like the Average Joe. But over time I realized that music is what I'm best at, it is what I was built for."

It wasn’t until 8th grade that he discovered his knack for rhyming. Now the combination of the two is what defines his exclusive sound. “I get bored just singing or just rapping. I can say a lot more through rapping, then drive home a theme with a great hook.”

B.Reith speaks the relevant dialect of today’s culture, and has the heart to address real issues, presenting hope and shedding light into this decaying world. “My number one passion is to connect with people, to entertain them, to stir up emotion in them, and to challenge them by sharing life from a different perspective. There is something we’re all yearning for. I’m just trying to help direct our attention to it, and music is the most powerful way I know how.”

“Trust me, B.Reith is a man of character too,” says Toby. “He’s a guy that truly walks what he talks.”

My Story
B.Reith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My story is a simple one to tell
Popped out my momma's tummy 26th of January winter up in Milwaukee
Twenty minutes later peein' on the doctor's shirt
Pops makin' jokes sayin' "Look doc it works!"
So the tell me anyways, I can't remember anything before pre-K
It's all blurred together and each day my memory fades like worn leather
But what I can recall is sweeter than warm weather with a cool breeze
Saturdays were heaven, wake up watch cartoons from 7 straight to 11

Then it's outside to play whatever sport was in season
My cousins they were older so that made me the weak one
But it didn't stop me, all we did was play we made up our own games
Rolled up socks and faked like they were hand grenades makin' forts out of couches
Mom would come home mad at how messed up the house was
I stayed out of trouble most of the time
But when I got out of line Pops would smack my behind
The wonder years are over now somehow I'm fully grown
Still I fully know I didn't make it this far on my own

There is no way to count all of the mistakes I have made
And I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Your grace
And you're still here with me, You never gave up after all this time
And I owe it all to You, You're the one that got me through
You wrote my story

Looking back on high school I see how foolish that I really was
I thought I was the coolest dude there ever was
'Til I went off to college and learned nobody there even knew who I was
It all taught me that I fall short
Like junior year when they cut me even though I left it all on the court
I had to learn how to fail and to fall
So I could learn how to get up shake the dust off walk and stand tall
Learn how to call on the one who's been there through it all
I remember when I got the phone call
Freshman year in Virginia, my grandfather passed away
Eight years after my grandmother guess he couldn't wait
To see her on the other side at the funeral I cried
So hard I never knew I'd hurt that bad inside
But over time wounds heal and all that's remembered
Is the love that we shared while together forever

This is my story and I wouldn't change a thing
I was put here for a purpose this was written by a King
Was carefully designed, hand-crafted and made
By the One who's never made a mistake
I want to give all it takes from here on out to make up for lost time
But what's done is done and I can't press rewind
And all of my regrets are chasin' me from behind
But the future's unwritten I'm racin' towards the finish line
So from here on out everyday counts
I know Your grace meets me no matter what the amount
Despite that I'm hard-hearted, You gave me a clean slate
And promised that You'd finish what you've started
And even though a four minute long song can barely scratch the surface
It's sure enough to show I'm far from perfect

So thank You for the past, help me live in the present
To prepare me for the future 'til my story ends

Overall Meaning

In B.Reith's song "My Story," he shares his life story and how he has learned from his mistakes and grown from them. He begins by describing his childhood, including the sweet memories of Saturdays spent watching cartoons and playing sports with his cousins. He also mentions the discipline he received from his parents when he stepped out of line. B.Reith speaks of the struggle and lessons he learned during his high school and college years, including the importance of perseverance and relying on God. He ends the song by expressing gratitude for his past, cherishing the present, and preparing for his future. Overall, the song tells the story of a person who has experienced struggle and growth, and who acknowledges the presence of a higher power in his life.

Line by Line Meaning

My story is a simple one to tell
B.Reith's life story is uncomplicated and easy to convey

Popped out my momma's tummy 26th of January winter up in Milwaukee
B.Reith was born in Milwaukee on January 26th, during winter season

Twenty minutes later peein' on the doctor's shirt
Shortly after birth, B.Reith urinated on the doctor's clothing

Pops makin' jokes sayin' 'Look doc it works!'
B.Reith's father humorously commented on his son's ability to use his bodily functions

So the tell me anyways, I can't remember anything before pre-K
Despite what people have told him, B.Reith cannot remember anything from his life before pre-kindergarten

It's all blurred together and each day my memory fades like worn leather
B.Reith's memories from childhood are hazy and continue to fade with time

But what I can recall is sweeter than warm weather with a cool breeze
The memories that B.Reith retains from his youth are positive and enjoyable

Saturdays were heaven, wake up watch cartoons from 7 straight to 11
Saturdays were a cherished day during B.Reith's childhood, where he would wake up early to watch cartoons for several hours

Then it's outside to play whatever sport was in season
After watching cartoons, B.Reith would go outside to play whatever sport was popular at the time

My cousins they were older so that made me the weak one
B.Reith's cousins were older, making him the youngest and physically weaker member of their group

But it didn't stop me, all we did was play we made up our own games
Despite being the youngest, B.Reith still played along with his cousins and created their own games

Rolled up socks and faked like they were hand grenades makin' forts out of couches
B.Reith and his cousins would play imaginative games, including pretending socks were grenades and building forts out of furniture

Mom would come home mad at how messed up the house was
B.Reith's mother would become upset with how the house was rearranged after the children played inside

I stayed out of trouble most of the time
B.Reith was mostly well-behaved during his childhood

But when I got out of line Pops would smack my behind
When B.Reith misbehaved, his father would discipline him physically with a spanking

The wonder years are over now somehow I'm fully grown
B.Reith has grown up and moved on from his childhood

Still I fully know I didn't make it this far on my own
B.Reith recognizes that he has not reached this point in his life all by himself

There is no way to count all of the mistakes I have made
B.Reith feels like he has made countless mistakes in his life

And I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Your grace
B.Reith believes that he only survived and persevered through God's grace

And you're still here with me, You never gave up after all this time
B.Reith recognizes that God has stayed by his side and never abandoned him, despite his mistakes

And I owe it all to You, You're the one that got me through
B.Reith attributes his survival and growth to God's guidance and support

You wrote my story
B.Reith believes that God has planned out and scripted his life story

Looking back on high school I see how foolish that I really was
B.Reith now recognizes how immature and unwise he was during his high school years

I thought I was the coolest dude there ever was
B.Reith had an inflated sense of self-importance and popularity during high school

'Til I went off to college and learned nobody there even knew who I was
B.Reith was humbled when he realized how unknown he was at his new college

It all taught me that I fall short
B.Reith learned that his self-image was distorted and that he was not as great as he once thought he was

Like junior year when they cut me even though I left it all on the court
B.Reith experienced disappointment when he was not selected to play on his high school's basketball team, despite giving his best effort

I had to learn how to fail and to fall
B.Reith recognizes that failing and experiencing setbacks were necessary for his personal growth and development

So I could learn how to get up shake the dust off walk and stand tall
B.Reith needed to learn how to overcome adversity and emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of setbacks

Learn how to call on the one who's been there through it all
B.Reith learned to turn to God for strength and guidance during tough times

I remember when I got the phone call
B.Reith recalls a significant moment in his life

Freshman year in Virginia, my grandfather passed away
B.Reith's grandfather died when he was a freshman in college in Virginia

Eight years after my grandmother guess he couldn't wait
B.Reith's grandfather passed away eight years after his grandmother's death, who he presumably wanted to reunite with

To see her on the other side at the funeral I cried
B.Reith was emotional and upset when he attended his grandfather's funeral and remembered his grandmother's passing as well

So hard I never knew I'd hurt that bad inside
B.Reith was surprised by the intensity of his emotional response to his grandfather's death

But over time wounds heal and all that's remembered
B.Reith acknowledges that time will ease his pain and that he will remember the good times with his grandfather rather than the sadness of his death

Is the love that we shared while together forever
B.Reith focuses on the positive memories of his grandfather's love rather than the sadness of his passing

This is my story and I wouldn't change a thing
B.Reith is content with the life he has lived and would not alter his experiences

I was put here for a purpose this was written by a King
B.Reith believes that he has a divine purpose and that his life story was planned by God

Was carefully designed, hand-crafted and made
B.Reith believes that his existence was deliberately orchestrated by God, rather than a random occurrence

By the One who's never made a mistake
B.Reith believes that God is infallible and that his life story was perfectly planned and executed

I want to give all it takes from here on out to make up for lost time
B.Reith desires to compensate for any wasted time or missed opportunities in his future endeavors

But what's done is done and I can't press rewind
B.Reith recognizes that he cannot undo his past mistakes or missed opportunities

And all of my regrets are chasin' me from behind
B.Reith's feelings of guilt and regret for past mistakes continue to affect him in the present

But the future's unwritten I'm racin' towards the finish line
B.Reith is focused on the future and is propelling himself forward to achieve his goals

So from here on out everyday counts
B.Reith recognizes the importance of making every day count and not wasting any more time

I know Your grace meets me no matter what the amount
B.Reith trusts that God will continue to be present in his life, regardless of his past mistakes and shortcomings

Despite that I'm hard-hearted, You gave me a clean slate
B.Reith recognizes that he can be stubborn and resistant, but that God continues to forgive him and offer him a fresh start

And promised that You'd finish what you've started
B.Reith trusts that God will continue to guide him and fulfill his life's purpose

And even though a four minute long song can barely scratch the surface
B.Reith acknowledges that his life story and experiences can hardly be captured in a single song or moment

It's sure enough to show I'm far from perfect
B.Reith recognizes that he has made mistakes and is not perfect

So thank You for the past, help me live in the present
B.Reith is grateful for his past experiences and asks for God's help to live in the moment

To prepare me for the future 'til my story ends
B.Reith desires to live in the present and be prepared for his future, until his life story concludes

Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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