Reuben Nero, better known by his stage name Papa Reu, is a Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter from Houston, Texas., United States.He is also a former member of hip-hop record label Cash Money Records. He has established his own record label Reu Muzik, Inc. through which he has released three albums, namely Xcuse Me, U Know Me, and Certified. At the age of 16, Reu and his brother relocated to Houston, Texas, where he began affiliating himself within the local hip-hop scene and became a pioneer of Houston’s popular underground rap movement. With his island sound, southern street savvy, and a respect of music history, 8Ball & MJG caught his act. The duo enlisted Reu for an appearance on their 1994 album On the Outside Looking In.
With his island sound, southern street savvy, and a respect of music history, 8Ball & MJG caught his act. The duo enlisted Reu for an appearance on their 1994 album On the Outside Looking In. A few independent singles hit the streets during the late 1990s, along with appearances on albums by Mr. Coop and Field Mob, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Papa Reu broke out on his own with the full-length Xcuse Me! on his own Reu Muzik, then released U Know Me a year later, and while the album sold well regionally, it was his 2002 appearance on the 504 Boyz’s hit single “Tight Whips” that would make him a Southern rap player. Reu was also featured on the Solange Knowles song for “Don’t Fight the Feeling” from the original soundtrack of The Fighting Temptations film going GOLD, selling 500,000+ copies worldwide.
Much of his early success came with Cash Money Records being featured on early multi-platinum recordings, such as the Big Tymers’ “Lick Them Up Shots”, Juvenile’s “Rich Ni**az” and Lil Wayne’s “Not Like Me”. He was featured in H-Town track “Buss One”, and in 504 Boyz’ track “Tight Whips” also featuring Slay Sean, 5th Ward Weebie, Lil’ Romeo and Little D. Other featured recordings include tracks with Changin’ Lanes, Z-Ro Tolerance and Miss Mykie. Papa Reu has collaborated with a number of artists like YZ & Gemini in “Hold on” (2007), Billy Cook in “Bubble Eye” (2008), Lil Keke in “Diamond and Pearls” (2008) and in “Put It in the Air” (2010).
