Reel Tight, a new group discovered by Wron G (Warren G’s uncle), recently made a stop here in the Big Easy playing to a packed house at Club Whispers 2000. OffBeat got a chance to speak with these four young and talented brothas from Chattanooga, Tennessee about their musical quest.
Here’s what Reel Tight members Reggie, Danny, Bobby and Bobby had to say when OffBeat asked how they hooked up with Warren G’s label, G-Funk Music.
“Wron-G overheard us singing for R. Kelly at the UTC Arena in our hometown where we worked,” says group member Bobby. “He approached us and said we sound good, and flew us out to L.A.”
The rest may just be history in the making.
Reel Tight is no overnight success story. They’ve been performing together for about nine years. Formerly known as Xtasi, the group paid their dues performing in various hometown talent shows, attracting attention and turning some heads before this smooth R&B quartet signed with G-Funk/Restless Records.
Reel Tight’s music is reminiscent of “back in the day” groups like the Temps, O’Jays and Earth Wind & Fire. “We grew up on that old school vibe, so we try to incorporate that into our music,” says Bobby.
Listeners will definitely feel that vibe on Reel Tight’s self-titled CD, especially with songs like “Reasons,” a sharp remake of the Earth, Wind & Fire classic that happens to be produced by EW&F member Larry Dunn. Other impressive tracks include “Lady” and the soulful “No More Pain.”
“We feel that groups today aren’t giving props to the old school,” explains Bobby. “If it wasn’t for them, there would be no us.”
OffBeat asked the group who they would like to work with in the future.
“R. Kelly,” they responded. “Jermaine Dupri, Baby Face, Faith … ”
OffBeat had to interrupt and ask Reel Tight if there were any artists they would like to work with from here in the Boot. “Oh, definitely! Master P and Mystikal,” they said. “New Orleans is like home. We’re from the south too!”
Another live and smoking performance OffBeat got the chance to catch was Short Dog aka Too Short and Rappin 4-Tay. Too Short and 4-Tay put on a good show for us clubbers the weekend of the Gavin Seminar at Tipitina’s Uptown in February. After the show, Too Short and members of his entourage parlayed at Tip’s. OffBeat caught up with one of rap’s most influential and respected artists and asked how he feels about the Crescent City getting our props in the rap world—a world where only artists from either the East or West coasts were getting major label deals, until now. “I just did something with Cash Money’s BG a couple of weeks ago,” said Too Short.
“New Orleans been doing their thang,” he adds. “I knew it [the music] was going to blow up.”
On the local scene, Last Chance recording artists Da Rangaz dropped their debut CD last month entitled All Night Flightaz. The first single “*69”, is getting major airplay and going over well with locals. All Night Flightaz is a mixture of bounce, reggae and street music that actually works.
“We’re versatile, we can do all types of music,” says group member Scooby. “We do bounce ’cause we can do it. We do reggae ’cause we can do it,” he goes on to add. “Basically whatever type of rap there is, we can do it.”
Da Rangaz have been rapping together about four or five years, mainly involved with a lot of underground material. With the release of their CD, All Night Flightaz, that could very well change. Asked what they would like to see happen with their debut album, “The CD title speaks for itself,” says Scooby. “I want our album to fly—take off.” “Platinum status!” exclaims DJ Chicken.
Da Rangaz & Last Chance plan to keep the music coming. ”We got some songs coming out with Stone, another Last Chance artist. We’re shooting a video for ‘Whoodi,’ the next single off our album,” says DJ Chicken. “And we gonna drop another album—back to back baby!” adds Scooby. OffBeat gives two thumbs up to All Night Flightaz; y’all check for it at your local music retailers.
New Orleans again played host to this year’s Gavin Seminar, held at the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. The seminar gives established as well as fledgling artists and industry folks the chance to get their network on and promote their latest projects. Trying to expand the “Street” readership, I didn’t miss the chance to do a little networking myself. I met quite a few industry people—from A&R people to street promoters. I have to mention that Tommy Boy and Relativity were extremely helpful. So OffBeat sends a special thanks to those two labels, and looks forward to attending next year’s Gavin Seminar.
Top 10 CDs
(as compiled by record sales and radio airplay)
Thanks to Q93’s DJ Wild Wayne and Richard Woodfork of Peaches Records.
10. Various Artists, Life Soundtrack (Interscope)
9. DJ DMD, P.A. Worldwide (Def Jam)
8. DMX, Flesh of My…Blood of My… (Def Jam)
7. Roots, Things Fall Apart (RCA)
6. Lauryn Hill, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Columbia)
5. Mase, Mase Presents: Harlem World (SoSo Def/All Out)
4. UGK, Take It Off/Corruptor Soundtrack (Jive)
3. Jay-Z, Hard Knock Life, Vol. 2 (Roc a Fella/Def Jam)
2. Juvenile, 400 Degreez (Cash Money/Universal)
1. C-Murder, Bossalinie (No Limit/Priority)
