"Urban Reign...When it rains it pours..."
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My first impression of “Urban Reign” was one of the cliché. An opinion that will offer nothing but dead-ends here in South Africa. The music industry here is South Africa is a complicated one…artists in South Africa have a “between the line reputation” of using the music industry as a catalyst or a tool to market themselves as a “celebrities”…pseudo celebrities as I like to call them. The term might seem harsh to some but the reality is that the “consumers” – the educated few – in South Africa truly have a “consumers disregard” for the music industry and the people that make up the industry itself (specifically the artists in South Africa).
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Multi-cultural South African Goodness...
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What makes “Urban Reign” different from the mundane few is that this group has done it all on their own. In a country with one of the highest entrepreneurial percentages in the world…a group of guys trying to make it in the music and entertainment industry is, frankly, endearing! What this group has is “pizzazz” and that is not a word that is thrown around the entertainment industry likely. Their individual personalities form part of a cultural conglomeration that is not seen anywhere else in the music and entertainment industry in South Africa.
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Performing at Jaded Ink ONE Tattoo and Fashion Show
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Upon first impressions, “Urban Reign” seems like your “run-of-the-mill” musical groups and as they start to perform the infusion of musical influences is immediately recognized. “Urban Reign’s” leading rapper, Jeremy “J-Namic” Cohen has reminiscent tones of the late Tupac Shakur – yes, I brought him into this review because if you have ever listened to Tupac you will know and understand that his voice has the ability to be both motivating and solemn at the same time. His command of the stage is far beyond his years and personally, he seems to be the key motivator of the band as they perform.
Ferdinand “Ferdy Ferd” Buffel is the lead vocalist of the group and from my “pop culture” history, is reminiscent of “Sisqo” or a matured and highly R’n’B orientated “Usher Raymond” (a massive R’n’B singer of our time). His voice adds what some South African bands or groups seem to lack and that is…diversity. His stage presence is also quite immense as in conjunction to the soothing tone of his voice, commands the stage much like any “pop-culture” star would!
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Making it "Reign"...
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The additional lead members of “Urban Reign” are made up of Kent “Smoke” Windvogel (Guitar) who possess the most instrumental talent among the three group members. Trained in drums and guitar this corner stone of the band has one of the most vital roles of the group as he brings all of the group’s elements of the band together, both racially and musically.
To me “Urban Reign” has the potential to be ground breaking – and if that term seems somewhat clichéd – please keep In mind the turmoil that South Africa has been going through, both politically and racially – “Urban Reign” as a multi-cultural band is the epitome of what makes South Africa a great country. The infusion of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg culture in one group has the uniting power that South Africa possessed in the early 90’s. Listening to “Urban Reign” makes me feel proud to be a South African, proud to be a part of something bigger, something better and something less obtuse than that of the present hogwash that is being strewn across the South African headlines and radio waves.
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As commented by the band themselves:
“The group has a the vision of producing a local flavour on an international standard. Representing Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, the fusion brings about a unique blend of sounds, which cover an array of genres and crosses over the multi-cultural diversity spectrum of SOUTH AFRICA…”
In short, I could not have said it better myself. This group has grown leaps and bounds without even trying…their understanding of their won unique backgrounds and the different skills they bring to the table matures them beyond their own understanding.
“Urban Reign”…when it rains, it pours…
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"Urban Reign"
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