Today we’d like to introduce you to Reason the Citizen.
Hi Reason the Citizen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I became an independent hip-hop artist in the early 2000s in freestyle cyphers and backyards at house parties throughout North County. I began playing live hip-hop shows throughout San Diego and quickly took my music on the road touring throughout the US and connecting with like-minded artists from all over the country. After the release of my first studio album Survival Plus in 2006, I connected with a group of musicians in Colorado and began traveling back and forth between Denver and San Diego, playing live shows throughout the southwest. in 2009 I released my second album, and fan favorite, Broke For Free, quickly followed by my first mixtape World Hunger Volume One in 2010. These releases gave me opportunities to perform several shows at SXSW, as well as open for national hip hop acts like Mac Miller, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Macklemore, and Action Bronson. In 2013 I relocated to Denver, CO and became heavily involved in the flourishing live music scene, releasing my second mixtape The Adventure Continues, giving me opportunities to share the stage with artists like Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Tech N9ne, Joyner Lucas, Hopsin, and more. In 2016 I released my third studio album Finding Success Through Failure and made live appearances on TED Talks, A3C Festival, Vans Warped Tour, and toured with independent hip hop powerhouses Brother Ali and Grieves. In 2017 I released my third mixtape Everything Else, a collection of b-side singles and unreleased songs that never found a permanent home on a previous album. After over 3 years of being on the road and playing live shows all over the US, I decided to relocate to Los Angeles in 2018. When the pandemic put live performances on hold, I reconnected with like-minded hip hop artists Wayne Watts and Almighty I.Z. and released a collaborative album under the group name The Hold Out. I also reconnected with former San Diego colleagues Concept, Mark My Words, and Super Mega Ego for a series of single releases under the moniker Nat Select. As the world slowly reopened, I began pursuing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles and have been navigating the LA comedy scene performing all over the city including the main stage at The Hollywood Improv.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entertainment is never a smooth road. Finding the balance between pursuing my passions and providing for my family is, and always has been, a constant struggle. Working late nights and still finding time to make myself present is always complicated. But the art of the pursuit is never easy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an entertainer. From live music to live comedy, my greatest strength is standing on stage and giving my audience all that I have to give. I’m most proud of taking the risk to pursue my passions, despite the possibility of failing in the process. This path that I chose is not easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Please follow me on Instagram @reasonthecitizen and come out to a show (either hip hop or comedy, or both!)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reasonthecitizen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reasonthecitizen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reasonthecitizenmusic
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/reasoncitizen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/reasonthecitizen
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/reasonthecitizen
