| Reema Major | |
|---|---|
| Background Information | |
| Born: June 26, 1995 (age 16) | |
| Origin: Khartoum, Sudan | |
| Genre: Hip Hop | |
| Occupation: Rapper, songwriter | |
| Years Active: 2009-Present | |
|
Labels: G7 Records Inc./Universal Music Canada, Cherrytree Records/Interscope Records |
|
| Associated Acts: Kwajo Cinqo (Ghetto Concept) | |
| Website: www.ReemaMajor.com | |
Reema Major (born June 26, 1995), is a Sudanese-Canadian rapper signed to a joint record label venture with G7 Records Inc./Universal Music Canada and Cherrytree Records/Interscope Records.[1] Reema is the first and youngest Canadian female emcee to be a part of the annual BET Hip Hop Awards.[2]
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Reema Major was born in Khartoum, Sudan, to parents of Sudanese and Abu Dhabi origins.[3] As the youngest of seven siblings, Reema's early life experiences exposed her to harsh realities not often faced by her peers. Due to civil strife in Sudan, she and her family sought refuge in Kenya and later in Uganda to flee a coup d'état. In 1998, her family's journey led to her settling in Canada where she was introduced to hip hop at the age of five by her cousin who took part in cyphers outside of their apartment building.
Reema's upbringings were strongly influenced by Arabic culture, but her ongoing exposure to cyphers sparked an early passion for her emceeing and writing. Fluently speaking English, Arabic, and her tribal Sudanese tongue, Reema channelled her experiences and cultural influences towards honing her musical craft as a rapper and songwriter—something she expressed as coming naturally.[4]
In 2009, after returning from her stay in Kansas City, Reema Major was introduced to President and CEO of G7 Records Inc., Kwajo Cinqo—member of Canadian hip hop group Ghetto Concept, who promised to have her signed to a major music deal.[5] In 2010, a joint-venture record deal was made with G7/Universal/Interscope.[6]
Before the contract, Reema gained international acclaim after being featured on Royalty Radio 91.9FM, in an online interview and cypher.[7] Her impressive lyricism helped launch her premiere at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards.[8] Reema was given the grand opportunity by Stephen Hill, BET's President of Programming, Talent and Specials.[9] Rapping alongside emcees Nick Javas and Laws,[10] Reema's performance marked history, making her the first and youngest Canadian female rapper to be a part of the awards ceremony.[11]
Her rising notoriety following the BET cypher led to many labels courting—amongst them were EMI Music, Capitol Records, Atlantic Records and Simmons Records, owned by rock music icon and former member of Kiss, Gene Simmons.[12]Eventually the deal was established on October 25, 2010. These deals were established with the backing of Jimmy Iovine—chairman of Interscope Records, Randy Lennox, President and CEO of Universal Music Canada, and A&R's Martin Kierszenbaum and Andrea Ruffalo of Cherry Tree/Interscope Records, and Mark Spicoluk of Universal Music Canada.[13] This was the first time Universal Music Group signed a direct deal with a Canadian urban music label.
This venture was furthered on October 7, 2011 when G7 Music Publishing signed a co-publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group for the services of Reema Major. The deal was spearheaded by Evan Lamberg who was an early supporter of Reema's career and her talents. Furthermore, on October 13, 2011, it was announced that Evan Lamberg was named President of Universal Music Publishing Group North America[14].
Reema Major's first mixtape Youngest In Charge was released in 2009; thereafter 15 Going on 25 was launched October 2010, and I Am Legend on May 27, 2011. The young rapper has also performed with Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, and Big Boi of Outkast.[15] The self-acclaimed "Mother to the New School Era" also collaborated with industry big-names including Bangladesh, DJ Toomp, The Stereotypes, and rappers Kwajo Cinqo of Ghetto Concept and Rick Ross.[16] Now with growing acclaim in North America, Reema Major has opened for Wiz Khalifa's two-time sold out Rolling Papers World Tour show in Toronto held on September 26 and 27, 2011[17], in addition to releasing her single "I'm The One" from her I Am Legend mixtape on October 12, 2011 with cameos shot in Miami, Florida alongside Rick Ross [18].