Reece 1200: Road To Riches

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Reece 1200?

It’s crazy how it started because a bunch of my homies used to rap in my auntie garage ALL day and ALL night! I would be PISSED, ‘til one day my boy Diddy Bop was makin’ a song called “Bang Yo Hood.” He was remixing Birdman “Always Strapped” and I told ‘em, “None of Y’all bang harder than me, if you make that I’m hoppin’ on it!” They all laughed…but long story short, they really made it and I really hopped on it…and everyone said I had the best verse.

Now you’re a native of Riverside,CA, correct? So growing up in the “City Of Trees,” who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I can’t lie, I’m a fan of real / pain music so Nip was definitely one of my favorites…Meek Mill as well. And before that, it was G-Unit and 50 Cent.

At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

When I realized that people actually FELT me, my story…they were askin’ for it. It still amazes me today.

With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

Many classify me as “gangsta rap,” but I see myself as someone who can make any record. My style is just me. I’m not try’na be like nobody else.

Tell me where your moniker originally derives from?

My moniker came from the ‘hood.

Your latest single / video is entitled “Bobby & Whitney” — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?

Well shout out to my boy Ken Cruze, cuz he’s the one who sent me the beat and I was sitting on it the whole time I was in prison. I came home and I sent it to Spank Nitti, and that’s all she wrote.

“Bobby & Whitney” comes courtesy of your recently unleashed solo entry, ‘Rich Habits, Poor Mistakes‘ — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

‘Rich Habits, Poor Mistakes’ is my life. I think it’s a lot of peoples‘ lives to be honest, but for me it’s the definition of me actually havin’ “rich habits“ when it comes to fashion, cars, etcetera; just my lifestyle in general…and then you have the “poor mistakes,” which is definitely the prison terms I’ve done and things of that nature.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

The truth, that’s all I got to give. It’s all authentic. I ain’t telling nobody else’s story, but MINE!

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Good question, cuz there’s so many artists out here…I don’t know how to just pick one.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Gotta be the (Madison Square) Garden!

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

That’s scary; I’ve seen so many people come and go, some I feel still deserve the limelight and I wonder what the world is sleeping on…but as far as me, I just gotta be who I am; the audience will migrate.

Do you have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Acting would be cool.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?