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.”
The Comeback Kid
B.Reith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well not really, but my optimism's grand
A little success has got me in a jam
I never thought I'd say I got too many fans
You can thank my face for that, I mean wait
Myspace, Facebook, lets face the facts
I'm at the bottom of the charts, but we aiming high
Kinda hard when they still can't say your name right
Came back same thing though times have changed
I'm no longer that dude from that 70's show
Now I'm the guy who's video is in American Eagle
I stay fly like seagulls got hair like the Beatles
Spit truth for the people just call this a sequel
We get knocked down but we get right back up
Keep on comin back we k-k-keep on comin' back for more
There is a fire burns deep inside us
We're the comeback kids kids we're the comeback kids
Round 2, they're askin' what's new
How you gonna comeback B what you gonna do?
Took a couple shots to the face from some critics
Can't imagine what they gonna say when they hear this
I'm done tryin' to fit in, thought about quittin'
Can't stop now we can't afford to give in
Learned my lesson through facin' opposition
If life doesn't hurt then we're not really livin'
So we take punch after punch like
Cassius Clay or Sugar Ray you see
This hard knock life might make my heart break
But you ain't gonna make no quitter out of me
Keep fightin' til' the war is won
Comeback kids lion heart champion let's go
We get knocked down but we get right back up
Keep on comin back we k-k-keep on comin' back for more
There is a fire burns deep inside us
We're the comeback kids kids we're the comeback kids
I'm back, I gotta manager now
He's 6'4 black and his name is Cal
If you got a problem yo he'll solve it
I got a style they still don't know what to call it
I've been on the grind since L.J. was a Hornet
Way before the days of Chris Paul in New Orleans
Back in the days of M. Jackson and Jordan
I was on that 8-track reel to reel recordin'
And I still gotta pay to get on
Paid my dues yet I still can't pay my loans
Couldn't find a hot beat so I made my own
Couldn't find a hot street so we paved a road
Hey Mr. DJ keep playin my song
While you're at it could you please stop sayin' my name wrong
Keep fightin' to the break-break of dawn
Comeback kids never quit always stay strong
The Comeback Kid is a hip-hop song that portrays the journey of the rapper B.Reith, who once had a little success in his career but got lost in the world of critics and social media fame. The lyrics are an expression of how he went through criticism, financial instability, and the challenge of trying to fit in. The song expresses B.Reith’s optimistic perspective and desire to keep making music despite the challenges he faced. The lines, “We get knocked down but we get right back up,” and “Keep on coming back, we’re the comeback kids,” portrays B.Reith’s tenacity and determination to keep moving forward.
The lyrics also express B.Reith's belief in the power of fighting for what one believes in. He notes that life is not worth living if it does not involve facing opposition, and describes fighting for what one desires as a hard knock life that might break one's heart but also in the end makes one stronger. B.Reith encourages his listeners to overcome their fears, and never to give up on their dreams even when faced with challenging situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back by popular demand
Although I am not really in demand, I have optimistic confidence that I will be soon.
Well not really, but my optimism's grand
I am not really in demand yet, but I have a great attitude about the future.
A little success has got me in a jam
My recent bout of success has presented some unexpected challenges.
I never thought I'd say I got too many fans
I am surprised to find myself in a position where I have more fans than I ever anticipated having.
You can thank my face for that, I mean wait
I was about to humorously suggest that my good looks were responsible for my fan base, but then I realized it was actually the result of social media networking.
Myspace, Facebook, lets face the facts
My popularity is due to the widespread use of social media platforms like MySpace and Facebook.
I'm at the bottom of the charts, but we aiming high
Although I am not currently successful in terms of chart placement, I have high aspirations for myself and my music.
Kinda hard when they still can't say your name right
It is a bit frustrating when people continually mispronounce my name and make it difficult for me to gain exposure.
Took some time away from the game
I temporarily stepped away from my musical career.
Came back same thing though times have changed
I returned to the music scene and found that it has evolved and changed greatly since my absence.
I'm no longer that dude from that 70's show
I am no longer seen as a past celebrity and recognized for that one earlier work I did.
Now I'm the guy who's video is in American Eagle
I am now known for having one of my music videos featured in the American Eagle store.
I stay fly like seagulls got hair like the Beatles
I am confident and stylish, with hair that could resemble that of the Beatles.
Spit truth for the people just call this a sequel
My music aims to be honest and relatable, and this is just another example of that.
We get knocked down but we get right back up
Even though we face obstacles and challenges in life, we continue to persevere and never give up.
Keep on comin back we k-k-keep on comin' back for more
We may get knocked down time and time again, but we always come back stronger and more determined.
There is a fire burns deep inside us
There is a passion within us that drives us and gives us the motivation to keep pushing forward.
We're the comeback kids kids we're the comeback kids
We are people who have faced adversity but have managed to overcome it and come out stronger on the other side.
Round 2, they're askin' what's new
People are curious to see what new projects I have in the works for my musical career.
How you gonna comeback B what you gonna do?
Many individuals are questioning how I plan to revive my career and make a comeback in the music industry.
Took a couple shots to the face from some critics
I have received criticism from various sources and had to deal with negative reviews.
Can't imagine what they gonna say when they hear this
Despite negative feedback, I am still determined to create and release new music that is authentic to who I am as an artist.
I'm done tryin' to fit in, thought about quittin'
I no longer feel the need to try and conform to what others believe is popular or trendy. At one point, the thought of giving up my music career crossed my mind.
Can't stop now we can't afford to give in
Despite the challenges and obstacles I have faced in my career, I refuse to give up because I believe that I am capable of achieving great success.
Learned my lesson through facin' opposition
Through facing opposition and adversity in my life, I have learned valuable lessons that have helped me grow as a person and musician.
If life doesn't hurt then we're not really livin'
Life is full of joy and pain, and it is this mix of emotions that makes it so worthwhile and fulfilling.
So we take punch after punch like Cassius Clay or Sugar Ray
We take hit after hit, like a boxing match of greats, Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Robinson.
You see, This hard knock life might make my heart break
Life can be tough and challenging, and it can take a toll on one's emotional health.
But you ain't gonna make no quitter out of me
I am determined and resilient in the face of adversity, and I refuse to let it break me or make me give up.
Keep fightin' til' the war is won
I will continue to work hard and persevere until I achieve success in my musical career.
Comeback kids lion heart champion let's go
We are strong and courageous, and we are unafraid to take on any challenges that come our way.
I'm back, I gotta manager now
I have a new manager who is now helping me navigate my musical career.
He's 6'4 black and his name is Cal
My manager is a tall African American man named Cal.
If you got a problem yo he'll solve it
My manager is capable of solving any problem that may arise during my musical career.
I got a style they still don't know what to call it
My music is unique and genre-bending, and no one has quite figured out how to classify it.
I've been on the grind since L.J. was a Hornet
I have been working hard at my music since the days of Larry Johnson playing for the Charlotte Hornets basketball team.
Way before the days of Chris Paul in New Orleans
I have been in the music industry since before Chris Paul started playing for the New Orleans Hornets.
Back in the days of M. Jackson and Jordan
My career started during the time of Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan, two cultural icons of the 80s and 90s.
I was on that 8-track reel to reel recordin'
I was recording music on a very old & outdated method of playback, the 8-track reel to reel system.
And I still gotta pay to get on
Despite my experience and hard work in the music industry, I still have to pay for certain opportunities that arise.
Paid my dues yet I still can't pay my loans
Despite my experience and hard work, I am still struggling financially and cannot pay off my loans yet.
Couldn't find a hot beat so I made my own
I was unable to find a beat that fit my style, so I created my own.
Couldn't find a hot street so we paved a road
We were unable to find a popular or trending style of music to associate with, so we created our own path & popularized it.
Hey Mr. DJ keep playin my song
This is a request made to a DJ to continue playing my music on the dance floor.
While you're at it could you please stop sayin' my name wrong
Although I appreciate my music being played, it is frustrating that my name is often mispronounced or misstated.
Keep fightin' to the break-break of dawn
I will keep pushing forward and fighting for success, even if it means working through the night.
Comeback kids never quit always stay strong
We are resilient and determined individuals who will never give up or quit, no matter how hard the challenges we face may be.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BRIAN JAMES REITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
abolsen
Why haven't I heard of this guy before? He has a great sound. Someone needs to advertise him more!
Lonnie
This dude deserves more likes he a great rap artist awesome song.
thegreatpogi
THIS IS REAL MUSIC! THE TRUE DEFINITION OF RAP. RHYTHM AND POETRY! Plus the fact that he also can sing is truly marvelous!
Cyam Moon
Hardddf disagree
Lecrae Andy
and no cuss words.
Shi Shi
Watching in 2020, still a hit jam 🔥🔥🔥
LPS Cringe Fest
I've loved this song ever since it came out :)
Roger Bowman
nostalgia
Faith Fitness and Mommy Stuff
been blasting this in my classroom. my students love it! so glad there's finally a video!!!
JSPR
He's got it! his attack on songs are so unique and inspirational. Keep spittin' them tracks AND Sangin!!!