King Reign

Toronto’s King Reign has a distinct vocal timbre that’s made him an underrated standout in the Canadian hip-hop scene. He’s far from a new face—he had ties with now defunct Toronto collective Brassmunk and has produced countless well–received singles and EPs—but for some reason he’s been regularly overlooked. His new album, Sincere, aims to change all that. - Torontoist

King Reign keeps his cards close to his chest. Most of the stories in his rhymes are either introspective or allude to things that have happened to people around him with circumspect detail. Yet, if you take the time to decipher the Toronto MC's lyrical poker face, his gravelly voice, poetic flow and laid-back demeanour infuse his music with authenticity and its listeners with empathy. The melodic, ambient and soulful soundscapes provided by Rich Kidd, former Brassmunk band mate Agile and Gameboy ensure the mood remains appropriately contemplative.

On "Promo" and "happylaidback" he deals with his own struggles in the music industry, alluding to the disintegration of the major label deal with Sony and maintaining a sanguine approach to life. "Oh No" and "Killer" are two sides of the same coin, tackling the stereotypes and perceptions that he navigates as part of everyday life as a black male and allude to the death of Toronto youth Sammy Yatim after he was shot by police on a streetcar. It's this eye for local yet universal issues that King Reign concentrates primarily on for the second half of Sincere. Tales of people caught up in drug abuse ("Chemical Romance") and bullying ("Pretty Girl Lost"), among other issues, are conveyed with context and without judgment, bringing the overlooked stories of those living precarious lives to the fore. - Exclaim Magazine

With three impressive EPs already under his belt, Toronto-based MC, King Reign, recently released his much-anticipated, full-length, debut album, Sincere. Known for his ability to weave intricate stories over equally intricate beats, Reign follows up his 2013 EP, Reign Music Vol. 2, with this no-holds barred open letter of sorts.

In a time when hip-hop is dominated by commercialism, violence, and misogyny, Sincere is a reminder to fans that conscious hip-hop is not dead. Working with producers such as Darp Malone and Rich Kidd, Sincere, tackles a range of subject matter, from drug addiction (“Chemical Romance”), to racism (“Killer”), to teenage bullying (“Pretty Girl Lost”). Reign reflects on the everyday struggles of being a black man, over the calm sound of “Oh No”, the album’s first track, which foreshadows the remainder of the album for its listener.

The album’s title track is reminiscent of a one-on-one conversation between a mentor and his mentee – with determination and leaving a legacy being the topics of conversation. Referencing a contorted relationship, “When My Eyes Close” is the album’s standout track, due to its explicit imagery, yet artistic delivery. “Don’t Fall In Love” and “Already Over” are welcomed treats for fans of R&B singers Noel Gourdin and Shi Wisdom.

Sincere is a strong debut for King Reign: it’s gritty and aggressive at times, but it’s also introspective and laid-back. If, at this point, King Reign still has something to prove as a hip-hop “newcomer”, it would be that he is fearless about his work. With his music and distinctive voice, King Reign is giving a voice to the voiceless, sincerely. - Quip Mag

King Reign just dropped a new video on us for the track “Chemical Romance” off his recent Sincere album. This is one of the rawest and realest visuals I’ve received lately. It takes a very honest look at the relationship between a pimp and his girl. And more importantly, it looks at the “Chemical Romance” (i.e.: the drug dependancy) that keeps the girl coming back for more.

Reign takes on the hook of this joint. And it’s just as haunting as the video itself: “With him/ She never had a chance at love.” And the Motown-influenced sound of it all (shout-out to DJ Agile on the beat) brings it all together for one serious jam which you’ll be bumping on replay. Seriously. I played this joint several times today. And now I am full of emotions. Ugh. The video was directed by Philip Sportel and produced by REIGN Media. Check it after the jump. And prepare yourself – you will feel things. Sad things.

King Reign - Chemical Romance [Video] - HipHopCanada.com




What’s realest about this all is that King Reign manages to show the perspective of both the pimp and the girl. Neither is depicted as a helpless victim; and neither is depicted as a terrible bad person. They’re both human. And the final video product itself is super polished. Which is essential when you’re portraying the sex trade. This feels very real.

Reign plays it as more than just another crash course in the effects of the pimp game. He actually gives a very thorough commentary on the state of society as a whole. I don’t know if this was intentional on his part. But I feel like any one of us could be the pimp or the girl; we do what we feel we need to do in order to get what we feel we need. Sometimes we use others in the process; and sometimes others use us in the process. - HipHopCanada

The LP, produced by Gameboy, Rich Kidd, Pro Logic, Agile, Darl Malone and Reign is riddled with melodic features from Leila Dey, Noel Gourdin and Shi Wisdom. The impressive contributions create a diverse blend of skilled production, ballads and bars for the project. The album proves to be a very conscious themed piece as Reign tackles social issues from his prospective living in Toronto. - iLuvLola

Rating: NNN
Toronto emcee King Reign's debut full-length is a realist window on Toronto life. Sometimes bleak and sometimes hopeful, Reign's lyrics reveal his knack for street poetry as well as a distrust of authority and an arsenal of pop culture references ("Pay my debts like the Lannisters," he says on Promo). - Now Magazine

King Reign takes us on an usual love story between a pimp and a girl who broke his heart. This song brings that old school melodic tune that we have all grown to love and merges it with todays heavy bass line and rhythm. The Agile produced track, “Chemical Romance” is the third release off of his upcoming album Sincere scheduled to drop on July 14th. Reign is just another reason to keep an eye on Toronto’s ever growing Hip Hop scene. - Hustlegrl

B om and raised in Toronto, King Reign is a talented Hip Hop
Artist who has always been surrounded by Music. "My parents,
family and friends were into dance and drummming when I was
born. I would've heard the drums from my mother~ stomach. My
father was also a DJ. I spent a lot of time listening to and trying
to make music in my house," explained King Reign during his
interview. Although, Music has always been in his life, this
humble Artist didn't actually start recording his Music until years
after he started writing his Raps. - Moov Magazine

King Reign, who has collaborated with the likes of Drake, Pharoahe Monch, Saukrates and Rich Kidd, not to mention being a member of Scarborough, Ontario’s Juno-nominated rap group BrassMunk, gives us an album of raw honesty, weaving together intricate stories with thoughtful lyrics over laid-back, head-nodding production from himself, Gameboy, Rich Kidd, Pro Logic and more. - CBC Music

Stylistically aware with a vocal tablet that flows with unapologetic truths, King Reign is on a trajectory of growth. His presence within the hip-hop scene came in bits and pieces, through praised singles, EPs and collaborations that included chief names like Drake, Boi-1da and Saukrates. Reign has reached a stage in his career where those same bits are being pieced together to form his newly released solo LP, Sincere, an embodiment of his development as an artist. After a public release party, which reaped a humbling gathering of fans and friends alike, Reign took some time away from all the excitement and noise to speak candidly about his journey. - Urbanology