Reflect Hope Wuz Here CD

"He thinks he can change the world..."REFLECT is his stage name. It's a word that defines his music; reflective, deep emotionally, and bouncing descriptive images. REFLECT extends the meaning to simply "I am you." "I see myself in my audience and if they are open they will see themselves within me
 I‘m a reflection of them and they are a reflection of me." Born the middle of three sons to folk/blues musicians and raised by his mother, a singer songwriter and instrumentalist who supported herself and her boys. She worked singing in clubs until her health began to deteriorate and she was forced to go on disability to support her family. His mother taught him about the healing power of music and the role it plays in life. She taught her sons the importance of taking an active role in the community and making an effort to uplift yourself and those around you, qualities seen and heard in REFLECT’s music. "I was raised to be socially conscious and I have a commitment to those in the struggle, the youth, and anyone who feels helpless or disenfranchised." Music wasn’t always a priority. REFLECT’s primary focus until graduating highschool was always athletics. "I had a hoop dream like many youth and it kept me going to school and taught me hard work
 it served a great purpose in my life." REFLECT wrote lyrics from the time he was 14 years old but not with the intention of pursuing a music career. Not until 2004, after several injuries continued to sideline his athletic pursuits, pushing him closer and closer to music as a needed outlet, did REFLECT begin to seriously pursue music as a career option. Influenced by several artists, among them: Tupac Shakur, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley, Sly Stone, Common, Nas, Jay-Z, D‘angelo and Lauryn Hill. REFLECT studied these artists and learned to write and produce songs. With a natural ability to construct hooks and melodies, REFLECT also taught himself to play several instruments including bass, percussion and keyboards. A series of misfortunes left him jobless and homeless and he spent much of 2006 and 2007 bouncing between cities, frustrated working low paying jobs. "I went through a lot in a short period. Many times, all I had was myself, so I got the opportunity to learn how to be comfortable in my own skin." Reflect credits music and his drive for coming out of those situations in one piece and stronger for the experience. Determined to create an album and with growing support he began recording his first opus in January 2008 entitled "HOPE wuz HERE." His sound has the bounce and edge of hip hop with harmonies, melodies and hooks reminiscent of blues and soul recordings. His smoothly delivered lyrics and grooves have a cinematic feel, as if every song is a film. He succeeds in many of the album's cuts which may leave you sitting in silence after the song is done, like being unwittingly entranced sitting through the credits of a powerful movie, still letting the last scene soak in. His rhythmic, narrative lyrics and storytelling are delivered with strength and empathy, frustration and compassion, hope and heartache. His music focuses on social injustice, relationships, and overcoming struggle. "The same way a powerful speech can change a person’s perception and promote action, I intend for my album (HOPE wuz HERE) and career as a musician, as a leader and as a man: to promote change
 I reflect change." With his goals to promote thought and self reflection, facilitate discussion and a hope to bring about action and change, his determination, drive and ambition can leave one saying:"I’m thinkin’ I could change the world."