Ancient Traditions and New Experiences
Traveling to Japan is a juxtaposing, bucket-list experience
Month: October 2024
Prime Time for Dennis Reed Jr.
Award-winning singer and songwriter Dennis Reed Jr. has much to celebrate on his 40th birthday this month. This spring, the Charlotte native signed with Rock Soul Productions, an entertainment company founded by Grammy-award winner and North Carolina native Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Yvonne McNair.
Reed, who has worked with Fantasia for more than 10 years, and his Sainted Trap Choir — the modern gospel and hip-hop singing group he co-founded with local DJ Fannie Mae — sang backup vocals for The Color Purple star at this year’s Academy Awards. The group also shared the spotlight with Fantasia when she performed as one of this year’s Time100 Most Influential People. In addition, Reed and choir members accompanied R&B singer Andra Day at Super Bowl LVIII and played in front of thousands of people at Charlotte’s inaugural Lovin’ Life Music Festival in May.
As the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture’s first musical artist-in-residence, last month he produced Liberation & Inspiration: A Celebratory Juneteenth Concert hosted by legendary gospel singer Kirk Franklin. The concert at Knight Theater featured performances by local musicians, African dancers and Sainted Trap Choir. Fantasia made a special appearance.
All this after Reed kicked off the year as a fiancé: He proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Charlotte media maven and content creator Ohavia Phillips, in late 2023.
“You know how they say it takes decades to become an overnight success?” he asks. “I started playing piano, singing and conducting choirs at age 10, so these amazing opportunities of late are catching up. I’m doing what I’ve always done and working hard — I’m just getting recognized for it now.”
It helps to have a star like Fantasia in your corner. “Dennis isn’t just an artist; he’s a vessel of inspiration,” Fantasia shares in an email. “That’s why I knew he had to be one of the first artists signed to Rock Soul Productions. His heart and passion are exactly what this label stands for, and I’m so grateful to have him on this journey with me.”
