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.”
Old School
B.Reith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said I can't rap and sing but I had to choose WHAT??
I just looked at 'em and started laughin'
I don't think you understand just call me Bo Jackson
If Deion could play two sports at the same time
I'm pretty sure that I can sing and can rhyme
I'm quite confident in my competence
I'm not too concerned with your compliments
But I'm gonna make this happen whether you believe it or not
These jokers can't even see what I got
The type of killer combo that will make you breathe and stop
Still critics wanna doubt my skill
Stare me down sizin' me up like a value meal
I'm tested and approved dog, value's real
And still I save my best moves like Zoolander saved blue steel
So tired of trying to please everyone, a million different opinions
I'm just going to be myself whether they like it or not, I'm giving it all that I got
They said keep on doin' what you do B
And maybe one day you'll end up in the movies
Maybe I can play Shaggy in Scooby Doo 3 and co-star with Angelina Julie
Oops I meant Jolie okee-dokee
I didn't come just to mess around and make jokes see
I got a mission an agenda and an antidote peep
A contradiction to the message of Oprah Winfrey
Oops, did I just say that out loud? Well there you go now it's out
I won't be in her magazine or on her t.v. show now
But I refused to be duped into believin'
The truth is whatever you choose to believe in
Oh boy here come the protesters
Get out your helmets and your bullet proof vests 'cause
They're comin' for you if you rock the boat
But I'm gonna go against the flow of the status quo 'cause I'm
You can't put me in a box or put me in a genre
I'm gonna work it out like my name was Jane Fonda
I came from the same city as Jeffrey Dahmer
That don't make me crazy you can ask my momma
She raised me to behave and not to 'cause drama
Sorry for this one I had to let 'em have it
The flow's still automatic I told you I'm back at oh
Just call me O.J. I had to take a stab at it
Woa! There's some tongue in cheek
Want beats here you go I make one a week
Put some hot sauce on the top be careful they're spicy
Plus I'm nice with the mic see they like it like Mikey
More flavorful than Hi-C cooler than Icees
Was born two weeks early or I would have been a Pisces
Couldn't have been said more precisely
Better book me now before I get to pricey
I know you are entitled to your own opinion
But that don't mean that you now how to run my business
See I'm a work in progress that is still not finished, I'm still not finished
In B. Reith's song "Old School", he expresses his frustration with being boxed into a specific genre and labeled as unable to rap and sing. The first two lines of the song convey his disbelief and surprise at the news he's received. B. Reith then draws a sports analogy, comparing himself to Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, and stating that if Deion could play two sports at the same time, he can sing and rhyme. He is confident in his ability and competence and does not need other people's compliments. If he needs to work twice as hard, he will, but he will still make it happen, even if people doubt his skill.
B. Reith then shifts his focus to the music industry and the pressure he feels to please everyone. He rejects this idea, stating that he's going to be himself whether people like it or not. He then makes a lighthearted comment about being in movies and co-starring with Angelina Jolie. However, he quickly asserts that he's on a mission with an agenda, and he's not going to be deceived by the truth being whatever people choose to believe in. He encourages people to go against the flow of the status quo.
In the final verse, B. Reith addresses being put in a box or a specific genre, stating that he's going to work it out like Jane Fonda. He then makes a controversial reference to his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and its infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, to say that just because he's from there, it doesn't mean he's crazy. B. Reith finishes the song by asserting that he's still a work in progress, a sentiment that he repeats in the last line, "I'm still not finished."
Line by Line Meaning
You can imagine how I felt when I heard the news
I was emotionally affected when I heard the news.
They said I can't rap and sing but I had to choose WHAT??
They said I can't be both a rapper and a singer, but why not?
I just looked at 'em and started laughin'
I didn't take their statement seriously and laughed.
I don't think you understand just call me Bo Jackson
I am talented in different disciplines, much like Bo Jackson.
If Deion could play two sports at the same time I'm pretty sure that I can sing and can rhyme
If Deion Sanders can play two sports, surely I can both sing and rap.
I'm quite confident in my competence
I am confident in my abilities.
I'm not too concerned with your compliments
I don't care much about your praises.
If I gotta work twice as hard then so be it
I am willing to work harder to prove my worth.
But I'm gonna make this happen whether you believe it or not
I am determined to make it happen with or without your support.
These jokers can't even see what I got
These people are blind to my potential.
The type of killer combo that will make you breathe and stop
My skills are so impressive that they will leave you breathless.
Still critics wanna doubt my skill
People continue to doubt my abilities.
Stare me down sizin' me up like a value meal
Critics are constantly analyzing me like a cheap meal.
I'm tested and approved dog, value's real
I have proved myself and my worth is genuine.
And still I save my best moves like Zoolander saved blue steel
I am saving my best efforts for later, much like Zoolander saved his iconic look.
So tired of trying to please everyone, a million different opinions
I'm exhausted of trying to please everyone despite different opinions.
I'm just going to be myself whether they like it or not, I'm giving it all that I got
I'm going to be myself and give it my all, regardless of others' opinions.
They said keep on doin' what you do B
People advised me to continue doing what I do.
And maybe one day you'll end up in the movies
Perhaps I will become an actor and work in movies someday.
Maybe I can play Shaggy in Scooby Doo 3 and co-star with Angelina Julie
Maybe I'll play a role in a Scooby Doo movie alongside Angelina Jolie.
Oops I meant Jolie okee-dokee
I corrected myself when I mistakenly said Julie instead of Jolie.
I didn't come just to mess around and make jokes see
I am not here to joke around or waste my time.
I got a mission an agenda and an antidote peep
I have a clear mission and goal in mind, with the solution already planned.
A contradiction to the message of Oprah Winfrey
My message goes against what Oprah Winfrey is advocating.
Oops, did I just say that out loud? Well there you go now it's out
I spoke my mind out loud without realizing it, but now it's no longer a secret.
I won't be in her magazine or on her t.v. show now
I will not be part of Oprah's magazine or TV show anymore.
But I refused to be duped into believin'
I refuse to be tricked into believing something false.
The truth is whatever you choose to believe in
The truth is subjective and depends on each individual's beliefs.
Oh boy here come the protesters
People who disagree with me are likely to protest.
Get out your helmets and your bullet proof vests 'cause
You might need protective gear to deal with the protesters.
They're comin' for you if you rock the boat
They will come after you if you go against popular opinions.
But I'm gonna go against the flow of the status quo 'cause I'm
I will go against the norm because I am not afraid to be different.
You can't put me in a box or put me in a genre
I do not fit into a specific category or genre.
I'm gonna work it out like my name was Jane Fonda
I will work hard like Jane Fonda, a fitness icon known for her workout videos.
I came from the same city as Jeffrey Dahmer
I am from the same city as infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
That don't make me crazy you can ask my momma
Growing up in the same city as Jeffrey Dahmer does not make me crazy, as my mother can attest.
She raised me to behave and not to 'cause drama
My mother taught me to behave and avoid causing trouble.
Sorry for this one I had to let 'em have it
I apologize for this particular line, but I had to say it.
The flow's still automatic I told you I'm back at oh
My flow is still effortless, as I've told you before.
Just call me O.J. I had to take a stab at it
I made a clever pun with my name, pretending to take a stab at something like O.J. Simpson did.
Woa! There's some tongue in cheek
That last line was meant to be humorous and not taken seriously.
Want beats here you go I make one a week
If you need beats, I can make you one per week.
Put some hot sauce on the top be careful they're spicy
My beats are hot and spicy, so be careful with them.
Plus I'm nice with the mic see they like it like Mikey
I'm good at rapping, and people appreciate and enjoy my skills like with the Mikey cereal commercial slogan.
More flavorful than Hi-C cooler than Icees
My rapping is more flavorful than Hi-C juice and cooler than Icees drinks.
Was born two weeks early or I would have been a Pisces
I was born two weeks early, otherwise I would have been a Pisces, as my star sign is Aquarius.
Couldn't have been said more precisely
I couldn't have expressed myself in a more precise manner.
Better book me now before I get to pricey
I am becoming more popular, so you should book me before my price goes up.
I know you are entitled to your own opinion
I understand that everyone has the right to their own opinion.
But that don't mean that you now how to run my business
However, that does not mean you know how to run my business or direct my career.
See I'm a work in progress that is still not finished, I'm still not finished
I acknowledge that I am still developing and improving, and there is room for growth and progress.
Contributed by Isabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.