Introducing Reek da Villian…

By: Mara, The Hip-Hop Socialite
Posted February 22, 2011

In an industry oversaturated by Youtube sensations, gimmicky rappers, and flash-in-the-pan acts, Reek da Villian (born Tariek Williams) stands out from the crowd. The Roosevelt, Long Island native counts Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick and Rakim as a few of the emcees that inspired him to pick up a microphone, and just like them, Reek’s lyrical prowess is something that can't be denied and distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries. Since last year, the hip-hop superstar in the making has racked up features on MTV's "RapFix Live," and in the “Show & Prove” section of a recent issue of XXL magazine. Last October, Reek was selected to take part in the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, alongside of Zawcain and Mickey Factz. Currently signed to Busta Rhyme’s The Conglomerate record label, the buzz surrounding Reek is louder than ever.  So without further delay, it’s my pleasure to introduce our One Ten Magazine readers to Reek da Villian:

YOU’RE ACTUALLY LYRICALLY TALENTED, AND NOWADAYS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ARTISTS ACHIEVE THEIR SUCCESS WITHOUT ANY REAL TALENT, INSTEAD RELYING ON GIMMICKS AND CATCHY HOOKS.  DO YOU THINK THERE’S A PLACE IN THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF HIP-HOP FOR A REEK DA VILLIAN?

RV: [Being lyrically talented is] kind of beneficial to me because it’s just going to separate me and put me in a whole different lane that people should be able to see. A majority of these guys is creating gimmicks and creating a song with a good hook on it, and they not saying nothing. The advantage is those guys can’t get lyrical when they want to; it’s nothing for somebody to dumb themselves down. So I can make those types of [gimmicky] songs, but they can't make the type of songs I can make.

TELL US ABOUT THE CHANCE MEETING WITH YOUR MENTOR AND LABEL HEAD, BUSTA RHYMES, BACK IN 2006 IN A STORE (A MIX TAPE STORE CALLED CENTRAL STATION IN LONG ISLAND), WHICH SET YOU ON YOUR CURRENT PATH TO HIP-HOP DOMINATION?

RV: It just so happens Busta Rhymes and my cousin Val happened to be in there. When I came in there, I gave everybody a pound, and I got my mix tape or whatever. I was about to leave the store, and then my cousin called me back and introduced me to Busta and was basically telling him that I'm nice. [After rhyming for 5 or 10 minutes for Busta, the hip-hop icon asked for Reek’s contacts, and the rest, as they say, is history.]

WHAT FEATURES DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR CURRENT MIX TAPE, ”THE GIFT,” WHICH DROPPED OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

RV: I have Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Roscoe Dash, Cam'ron, Vado, DJ Khaled, my big brother Swizz Beatz, Nelly, and Fame from M.O.P.

YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON YOUR FIRST STUDIO ALBUM, WHICH YOU PLAN ON CALLING, “THE SECRET.” WHY ARE YOU NAMING IT “THE SECRET?”

RV: Because I got something that everybody don’t know about that they need to know about, so I’m going to reveal it to the world.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS OUTSIDE OF HIP-HOP?

RV: I’m trying to focus on the music first and foremost, and then pursue a career in acting. I have maybe one or two roles coming up in some commercials.

WHAT VETERAN EMCEE’S CAREER WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CAREER TO MIRROR?

RV: Jay-Z all the way. No rapper has ever done it like Jay-Z’s done it. At the end of the day, I want to be just as hot as I am when I first come out years down the line.