Some artists make music to be heard. Others make music to be felt. Reiko is the type of artist who does both.
Born Tyreik and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Reiko’s name comes directly from his real life. Growing up, people shortened Tyreik to “Reiko,” and the name stuck. What started as a childhood nickname slowly became an identity, and eventually, a brand rooted in authenticity.
“I just try to paint pictures with my music,” Reiko says. “Bring reality to it.”
That reality comes from lived experience.
Reiko began taking music seriously around the ages of 12 or 13, inspired by the legendary Philly group Major Figgas. Their presence showed him that success wasn’t a fantasy it was possible, even from where he stood. Watching artists from his own city make it out gave him belief. That belief turned into drive.
But belief alone doesn’t carry you through loss.
Reiko’s journey hasn’t been easy. He’s had to bury friends. Say goodbye to family. Process grief while still moving forward. The kind of pain that doesn’t disappear—it changes you.
Instead of letting it break him, he let it build him.
One of his most meaningful milestones came when he had the chance to work with PnB Rock an artist he admired, respected, and called a friend. For Reiko, that moment wasn’t just about music. It was about legacy, about connection, and about proving to himself that dreams can come true, even when life is heavy.
“I realized this is what I wanted to do when I wrote my first rap,” he laughs. “People wanted me to keep going.”
That encouragement lit a fire that still burns.
Inspired by artists like Drake, Reiko focuses on emotional honesty, storytelling, and vulnerability. His sound is authentic—never forced, never fabricated. He doesn’t chase trends. He tells the truth.
And sometimes, the truth isn’t pretty.
His latest EP, Could Be Worse, captures that perfectly. The title alone speaks volumes. It’s not denial it’s perspective. It’s about survival. About waking up after loss and choosing to keep going. About turning pain into power.
When asked what he wants his music to leave people with, his answer is simple:
“The truth.”
Not fantasy. Not filters. Not illusions. Just real life.
This year, fans can expect consistency, growth, and a lot of new music. But more than that, they can expect honesty. Reiko isn’t here to pretend. He’s here to document life as it really is struggles, wins, heartbreak, healing, and all.
At his core, Reiko wants to be remembered as an artist who brought reality back into music.
No gimmicks. No masks. No lies.
Just truth.
And when asked what message he wants to give anyone reading this?
“It could be worse.”
Not as a dismissal but as a reminder. That even in the darkest moments, you’re still here. Still breathing. Still capable of turning your pain into something powerful.
