Lucius Black: In regards to progress and projects, how good has 2012 been to you thus far? Is there anything you'd do differently in 2013? Conversely, anything you'd do again?
Reco: 2012 has been a pretty decent year as far as building a buzz but it's still not where I want it to be. For 2013 I'm focusing on creating a breakthrough track and focusing on performing more to get the Kings Before Crown brand well known.
Lucius Black: Tell us about your team and your movement.
Reco: My team is Kings Before Crowns. Kings Before Crowns is a cultural group that extends to music, fashion, art, photography, and video. The group originated from Jacksonville, FL.
Lucius Black: How many people are you closely associated through your team? Tell us about a few of them.
Reco: It consist of me (Reco The God), Jon Ryker (artist), Taz Taylor (producer), Darren Robert (producer), and 7th Take (videographer). We are all from Jacksonville, FL. trying to build up the scene and make a name for ourselves.
Lucius Black: What or who specifically inspired you to start on your musical path? Tell us a bit about it.
Reco: The person that mostly inspired me to take a music would probably have to be Jay-Z. I was young when I heard his music, but the message he sent out captivated me even though I didn't understand everything at that time. I picked up rapping around my sixth grade in middle school, producing in eleventh grade of high school, and audio engineering freshmen year of college.
Lucius Black: Do you have a favorite verse you've written and/or a particular production that is especially amazing in your eyes?
Reco: My verses are like my children its hard to pick one without hurting the other (laughs). I would have to say the "Time" song on my Good Morning mixtape. The message and the theme behind those verses really fit where my life is constantly at.
Lucius Black: So what's the focus? I mean, what's the apex for you as an artist?
Reco: My focus as an artist would be making as many platinum records as I can in my career, but while making my brand of music. From there I hope to produce for some of the hottest talent in the industry or upcoming talent then possibly own a label.
Lucius Black: Describe your style musically. Are you similar to anyone in your opinion?
Reco: I would say my music is a cross between Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, and T.I. The reason I say those four artists would be because myself and Jay represent the hustlers that came from nothing trying to make it. I have Kanye's creative genius when I'm putting together music along with his work ethic and I can also break a story down like Drake, giving you a detailed genuine record. Both T.I. and I are Southern and I appreciate his Southern yet sophisticated and delicate approach to a record.
Lucius Black: If you could produce a beat for the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, what six people would you like rapping over your beat?
Reco: If I produced a beat for BET I would probably want my team because I can say, "Hey, we made it to the BET Awards". (laughs). But seriously, if it could be anyone I would probably have Nas, Jay Electronica, Wale, Eminem, and The Clipse. I picked those six because I know without a doubt they would murder my beat.
Lucius Black: Is there anything you'd change about hip-hop as a genre and an art form?