Last August, Mid-Missouri based hip-hop artist Brandon Baker achieved a feat only one other independent local musician in his genre of music has achieved: placed on a Billboard chart.
After releasing his third solo project "UnLucky Me" reached No. 2 on the Billboard's Heatseekers chart for new music, making REACEYUNG the second to do this behind his longtime friend and album producer Marco "BlackGrits" Patterson when he reached No. 3 on the same chart about a month before with his debut release "Paradox 88."
Since that time, REACEYUNG has seen tremendous success with "UnLucky Me" and performed at multiple local and regional venues showcasing his gritty, original realist style of hip-hop. However, in between promoting his music, working two jobs and spending time with his family, fiance Da'Jah Dale and friends, the St. Louis native has went right back in the studio to deliver his next album, "Derrty Joe."
This 11-song album has already seen great success, seeing nearly 400 copies in pre-order sales before its official May 24 release date. Find out more about REACEYUNG's rise in success, his latest album "Derrty Joe" and his next moves in rising up in the ranks of independent hip-hop.
Q: "UnLucky Me" had gained lots of traction and popularity after it was released last summer. What feedback have you received from fans, fellow artists and industry professionals, what were their favorite songs and what have they liked about that album?
REACEYUNG: A lot of my industry friends loved "UnLucky Me" because it was a small body of work that no matter what walk of life you were from, it was something there that you could gravitate to and relate to. My record "American Made" was everyone's favorite from "UnLucky Me." My supporters felt the project was different and was a transparent piece of art from me.
Q: The title song to your latest album "Derrty Joe" helps explain this parallel between two well-known Midwest cities - Chicago and St. Louis. Share the concept behind the song "Derrty Joe" the song and your collaboration with friend and album producer Jaimere (Jsonata) Thurman.
REACEYUNG: I have been working with Jsonata for almost 13 years now. It took us so long between living life - both of our lives - for us to put it together but we finally did it. "Derrty Joe," this is a simple concept of lyrics that was a spinoff off of one line I used in a song I did back in 2011 called "Goodman." "Derrty" comes from most Saint Louis natives. Instead of saying "Hey, what's up man?" we would simply just say "What's up Derrty?" In Chicago, they have a wider range of slang but the most familiar is when Chicago folks say "Hey what's up Joe?" instead of saying "What's up man?"
Q: As you described the "Derrty Joe" project "captures elements of hip-hop in its original form fished out from a Midwest point of view." Could you expand how that is showcased in this album?
REACEYUNG: Well I study hip-hop. I will forever be a student of the craft and its elements and in today's society, people tend to forget them. With my hip-hop upbringing, I'm able to tap into this energy because I was exposed to it and harvested it at a very young age. To me hip-hop is a wholesome sound and feeling captured by lyrics and a high level.
Q: The album cover art is wonderfully done to help reflect the project's concept and title song. Please share your vision for this and your love of creating art.
REACEYUNG: Back in 2008 my producer, Jaimere "Jsonata" Thurman, created a track called "Good Man" from my first album (The Cassette Tape Vol. 1) and he literally took my lyrics I used in the song that took him at least four years to actually catch, and once he caught it, the floor plan of "Derrty Joe" started to begin. The lyrics were "It's sumthin wit a certain glow but only certain of a certain know St. louis Chi-town Derrty Joe." It's the slang that both cities use while greeting one another combined together "Derrty" is what St. Louis natives say to greet you and "Joe" is how Chicago natives greet you. I created the cover by taking the two skylines of each city and putting them together.
Q: Please share what are some of your other favorite songs on this album, particularly those that may be close to your heart.
REACEYUNG: Some of my favorite songs on "Derrty Joe" that are really important to me are No. 10 is a track called "Endeavors," No. 7 "Said Good By," No. 11 "the outro" and No. 3 called "Yesterday." But I love all the songs because they all are a part of me and have a place of meaning in my heart that these particular songs sit in when it comes to my mental mantle piece.
Q: Marco D. Patterson, also known as "BlackGrits," assisted with this project as well. Please share how he helped with "Derrty Joe" and what he brings to your music.
REACEYUNG: "BlackGrits" was a huge part in "Derrty Joe." He took all of the tracks and gave them life and color and character. That's what he did and I love him for it. We've been working together since '05. "Derrty Joe" would not sound the way it sounds with out his recording and mixing capabilities.
Q: What sets this album apart from "UnLucky Me," and what similarities do they have as well?
REACEYUNG: When it comes to comparing "UnLucky Me" and "Derrty Joe" the only similarities they have is me being the main recording artist other than that the albums are totally different they both come from different realms that dwell inside of my creative mind. They are completely different and I think that is what makes them both wholesome pieces of work. Another thing that "UnLucky Me" and "Derrty Joe" had is no time stamp on the records, meaning you would be able to play them both 15 years from now and they will still be loved.
Q: "Derrty Joe" is currently available to pre-order the digital album, with inclusion of two free tracks - "Derrty Joe" and "Yesterday." How have sales gone so far, what has been the feedback on those tracks and where is the digital album available to pre-order?
REACEYUNG: My album "Derrty Joe" is up for pre-order on bandcamp for only $4 at reaceyungmusik.bandcamp.com/album/derrty-joe. I have been getting some of the best feedback I ever received for my music. Some say "Derrty Joe" is better then all my projects put together. Do I agree with what's being said? No. I just think it's cool that folks are saying that about my work.
Q: Where can those in Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri catch REACEYUNG live in concert in the next few months? Are there any special events or activities you will be involved with you'd like to share?
REACEYUNG: My next booked show is in New York City on Aug. 16 for the 46th anniversary of hip-hop. The hip-hop Ambassador Awards show at SOB's locally, and I'm always at The Mission in Jefferson City, The Rose Music Hall in Columbia or the Fubar in St. Louis performing.
Q: I know you are working on multiple future projects right now. Could you give us a tease about your next album after "Derrty Joe?"
REACEYUNG: A tease of my next album. I will give u guys the title of it. It will be called "Thoughts At Random Rise," and it will feature a mixture of my production team all together.
To access REACEYUNG's music, check out his Apple Music Profile, Spotify or reaceyungmusik.bandcamp.com/album/derrty-joe to pre-order "Derrty Joe." For more information, upcoming shows and more, connect with REACEYUNG at reaceyung.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @REACEYUNG.