Reid the Martian

REID THE MARTIAN – “HARDBALL” (EP)
Kaitlin Ruether

You’d be hard pressed to find a hip hop artist with a background quite like Reid the Martian‘s. From the legacy of his father (who played drums for The Monkees’ Davy Jones) to musical theatre in his teen years, and playing drums for alternative rock band Auburn Skies, this young artist knows his way around a song.

His background is impressive, but what’s more impressive is that — after all that time genre-hopping — he seems to have found his calling in hip hop. From fast-as-lightening rhymes that find electricity in authenticity, Reid the Martian’s first official EP release feels like it’s coming from someone already deeply rooted in their genre, and perhaps this Martian is. Check out the EP, Hardball, above.

The first track, “Whiskey for the Devil”, is a party anthem, a fun track with an even more fun video (that you can check out right here). The album’s highlights, though, come from the strings laden “Truth Is” which plays with the duality of anger and beauty, and “Hardball” which feels so authentic it almost pulls the listener into a trance. Both tracks showcase a true talent for hip hop, and balance each other out in terms of pace. “I’m Sick” reminds us of Reid’s comfort in his genre, pulling out big names as impressive comparisons, and “Me vs the Real World” plays with pace and flow, as well as tackling some of the big questions that musicians face.

Hardball was released on March 17th, 2015. Reid the Martian will be touring this year in order to promote the EP. To check out where he’s at, as well as more tracks, head over to his Facebook, SoundCloud, and website. - newsickmusic.com

Temperature’s Rising: Reid The Martian
Kellan Miller

“We are not the same, I am a martian” is one of Lil Wayne’s most famous quotes. It’s sort of weird to think of rappers as aliens, but when one delves deeper, the symbolism is befitting. In the last few years, despite plenty who love to dabble in “the same ol’ shit,” Hip Hop has been blessed with a multitude of emcees who think outside the box when it comes to straying away from tiresome tradition. Chance The Rapper and The Social Experiment’s recent Surf LP is a fantastic excursion through disparate sounds. A$AP Rocky’s A.L.L.A is a fuse of 60’s psychedelic tones and bombastic hip-hop. Of course, the entire world is fawning over intricate To Pimp A Butterfly, with professor Brian Mooney recently posting an article entitled “Why I Dropped Everything and Started Teaching Kendrick Lamar’s New Album.” In my honest estimation, the so-called “aliens” are the artists I constantly finding myself not only listening to but eagerly anticipating their new releases with an borderline psychotic enthusiasm. With the recent release of his experimental yet engaging EP Hardball, Reid is a on his own personal mission to guide the masses outside the orbit into foreign sonic territory.

But Reid is not from Area 51 or some far-off planet, but South Bend, Indiana in fact. His fondness for all things music-related can be directly attributed to his upbringings. While he bears no kinship to the late Michael Jackson, his father did play drums for Davy Jones of The Monkees. Years later, in 2010, Reid began attending the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. While there, his band Auburn Skies changed lineups and re-branded as Wolf, the Rabbit. In 2011, Reid left KU, dissolved Wolf, the Rabbit and began pursuing a solo career in the Hip Hop field. Reid’s first two singles as an independent hip hop artist— “Introduction” and “Work”—were released in March 2012, under the name Rabbiteater. Also at this time he began making live appearances in the Midwest area, including Lawrence, Denver and parts of Texas. A couple years later after honing his craft, Red was invited to perform at this year’s legendary SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

With buzz exponentially increasing, Reid is ready to issue his mission statement on the five track EP Hardball. On “Truth Is,” Reid samples “The Thong Song” and turns it flips it into a lengthy vent about the problems of the mainstream scene and what sets him apart. “Me Vs. The Real World” showcases his extreme confidence in his vision without coming across as the hollow braggadocio lyrics we are used to hearing from rappers. The overarching constant in the music is a sort of “fuck you if you don’t like it” approach, especially the EP’s self-titled track, “Hardball.” It is the same attitude that has acted as the impetus to many transcendental artists. Even though their styles are significantly different, Lil Wayne has built his career off the same philosophy.

You can stream the record here: https://soundcloud.com/reid_the_martian/sets/hardball - allhiphop.com

Must Listen: Reid the Martian – ‘Hardball’

Hip Hop Trivia: Who was the first rapper ever to be featured on the cover of a Hallmark greeting Card? If you answered, Reid the Martian, then you are correct!

The Kansas City based rapper didn’t make the headlines with that but he definitely has the people talking about his latest EP, Hardball.

Hardball is Reid the Rapper’s debut five track project with the lead single being, “Whiskey for the Devil.” This song is my favorite track off the EP. It was pretty hard not to learn the memorable chorus sung by the lovely Melita Irie.

The second track on Hardball is titled “Truth Is” and Reid beautifully sampled Sisqo’s infamous “Thong Song.” In all, this was a well-crafted debut EP. It already has most people comparing him to Eminem.

With work like this, you would expect Reid the Martian to have been in the hip-hop game since childhood. However, he has only begun rapping in 2012. But since then he was definitely blessed to learn and work with some great veterans in the game. He has already worked with, Duane “DaRock” Ramos (LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z), Aldrin “DJ Toomp” Davis (2 Live Crew, T.I., Kanye West) and Miykal Snoddy (Trey Songz, Lupe Fiasco, Diddy). - jackthriller.com

Reid the Martian Throws A Hardball

Hardball, the latest from Missouri-based Hip Hop artist Reid the Martian, is both deceptive and rewarding, and most likely on purpose. Reid the Martian can easily be described as channeling Eminem and Chance The Rapper through rose colored glasses as his music accentuates anthemic and thought provoking lyrics. It’s like a series of second thoughts, with seemingly incidental moments deserving reexamination as the songs fold over.

In a way, Hardball feels like the era-defining anthem, despite being hot off the press. As it progresses, it reflects a growing process, segueing from apprehension to youthful pissed-offness, to requited love, to the realization of still knowing so little despite the journey. The EP is unassuming, presenting fun, rowdy flashbacks laced with countless highlights. Reid’s mature-ish lyrical approach is relatable, and sure to connect with those who faded into adulthood embracing snotty preachings. The aura is spontaneous, with a hold-on-guys-I-just-gotta-do-this quality; plus it speaks to listeners.
Check out the music video for Whiskey for the Devil: - thesource.com