B. Reith

B. Reith
Birth name Brian James Reith
Born January 26, 1979
Origin Brown Deer, Wisconsin
Genres Christian Hip hop, pop, soul, rap, contemporary Christian
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, rapper, guitarist, pianist
Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboard
Years active 2002–present
Labels Gotee Records, Nside Entertainment
Associated acts Knine, KamBino
Website www.breith.com

Brian James Reith, better known as B. Reith, is a Christian hip hop/pop singer and rapper.[1] He began his musical career with the release of his first album, "Urgent Message" in 2003. In 2008, Reith signed to Gotee Records and released his EP, "The Forecast". Later that year, he toured with TobyMac on Winter Wonder Slam tour. In September 2009, Reith released his second album Now Is Not Forever, which charted at No. 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 32 on Heatseekers chart.[1] The album spawned the singles "Antidote", which peaked at No. 50 on the Christian Songs chart, and "The Comeback Kid".

In early 2011, Reith released a buzz single "Knockin On My Door". On November 11, 2011, Reith released his third album How the Story Ends.

Early life

Brian James Reith grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his father, Jim, owned and operated a recording studio.[2] At a young age, he was exposed to music and soon took an interest in it; Reith sang on his first commercial at the age of five.[2]

Musical career

B. Reith's musical career began when he released an independent album, Urgent Message, in 2003.[3] Christian singer and Gotee Records manager TobyMac discovered his music in 2006.[4] TobyMac reportedly pulled his car off to the side of the road when he first heard Reith's music, later stating, "Brian is just naturally gifted from God vocally and his lyrics [...] sort of just ease into your heart."[2] In 2008, Reith signed to Gotee Records and released his EP, "The Forecast" in May 2008.[2][5]

At the end of the year, he guested on TobyMac's annual 2008 Winter Wonder Slam tour, which ran through November and December 2008.[6] On March 10, 2009, an expanded edition of his EP was digitally-released, featuring two more songs and two music videos.[7] Reith's first full-length album, Now Is Not Forever, was released on September 22, 2009.[1] In late 2009, Reith toured again with TobyMac on the Winter Wonder Slam tour.

In early 2011, Reith released a buzz single "Knockin On My Door". In November 2011, Reith released his third album How the Story Ends.

Style

B. Reith's style is based on a combination of hip hop and pop music. His lyrical style has been compared to Christian rapper KJ-52, specifically in Reith's song "Go On".[4][5]

Discography

Albums

Year Album
2003 Urgent Message
2009 Now Is Not Forever
  • 2nd studio album
  • Released: September 22, 2009
  • Labels: Gotee Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2011 How the Story Ends
  • 3rd studio album
  • Released: November 1, 2011
  • Labels: Nside Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download

EPs

Mixtapes

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US US Christian US CHR
2003 "Automatic" Urgent Message
"Hurt No More"
2004 "Take Me Away" One Down
2008 "Go On" The Forecast EP
"Awe-Struck"
2009 "Rain Down"
"Mess" 19[8]
"Antidote" 50[9] Now Is Not Forever
2010 "The Comeback Kid"
2011 "Knockin' On My Door" Knockin' On My Door - Single
"Simple Days" How the Story Ends
2012 "2 Steps Forward"

Tours

Awards and nominations

Year Category Nominated Work Result
Dove Awards
2010 Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year "Go On" Nominated
2010 Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year "Now Is Not Forever" Nominated

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "B. Reith Discography". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "B. Reith Signs to Gotee Records With The Forecast EP Releasing This May". Jesus Freak Hideout. April 21, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  3. "B. Reith, "Urgent Message" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 11, 2009. The pastor and him wife from his church in Milwaukee convinced him to move to Nashville, Tennessee so he could start his music career.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Russ Breimeier. "B. Reith - The Forecast EP". Christian Music Today. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Kevin Hoskins. "B. Reith, "The Forecast EP" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  6. "TobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam 2008 Rocks With Diversity". The M Collective. Jesus Freak Hideout. November 4, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  7. "B. Reith, "The Forecast EP (Expanded Digital Release)" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  8. "Christian CHR NAtional Airplay". R&R. April 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  9. "Billboard - Antidote - B. Reith". Retrieved October 16, 2012.

External links