Reppa Ton

Meet Reppa Ton, aka Jarrell Wood, aka Mr FadedTooLong - an RVA rapper we're digging pretty hard right now.

Born in raised in and around RVA's Northside, Reppa Ton's been pushing tracks online since 2009 after he got a burnt copy of Kanye West's "Roses."

"I didn't know what to expect," said Reppa Ton about his first exposure to Yeezy in an email. "As he conveyed the pain and witty lyricism about a real life struggle."

He fell into RVA's hip hop scene with help from his friend RT of The New Juice Crew. Since then, he's shared the stage with the likes of Dizzy Wright, Young Roddy, Rapper Big Pooh, Emilio Rojas, Father and more.

Fast forward to today with Reppa Ton's new track "Timeless" which the artist explains harkens back to a type of family values he doesn't see anymore.

"I watched how before my great grandmothers passed, my family used to have big country cookouts with fun, food and festive activities," said Reppa Ton. "Now my family barely even get[s] together anymore. I remember doing the Cha Cha slide with like 20 people in formation. Now the only time we find happiness, dance and a great time is at a club or a kick back with drugs and negative motives."

But Reppa Ton's new single (above) hopes to move passed that, and he pointed to a recent time when he met his father for the first time in almost 20 years.

"The moment was not what you spend years thinking it would be," he said. "It just seems like everybody is numb to moments and the feeling of amazement... faith is being replaced by exclamation."

The cover image for the track, featuring MLK Jr. in march formation, arms locked with other activists, hits a point Reppa Ton is deeply invested in.

"We have brothers dying from their brothers, police brutality, child neglect. The most a family gets together nowadays is when it's a funeral," he said. "I've seen death, negativity, pain. I've personally witnessed 'The Struggle,' if I can [sound] cliche about it."

Reppa Ton's taken his message to the community best he can - he said he spoke at a local Boys and Girls Club with Northside kids who already listen to his music and one of the kid's mothers approached him and recognized him for his efforts.

"'Keep doing what you doing because it keeps these kids motivated' [she said to me] (Shout out Lil Dee!) That moment made me understand that [there] is a need for songs like this or artist like myself, Tai Wo, and Black Liquid to be present in this era of oppression."

Keep up with Reppa Ton on Tumblr here, and keep an eye out for his next record, Forever Changes. He's also got a music video for "Timeless" in the works, and a number of projects you can all read about here.

Words by Brad Kutner - RvaMag

One of the equations I live by is Change + Growth = Evolution. You may, or may not remember Reppa Ton's last release The Third Power, which I described as "not his best work", but also as "a good place for him to start."

I admit, at times I can be a harsh critic, but thats because I want to see the best out of every artist daring enough to share his work with the world. I hold artists to the standards I hold myself. After all, if we aren't doing our best, all we are doing is trying. So when I finally took some time to listen to Forever Changes I was hoping for a new "best" from Reppa Ton, and I believe that is what we got.

While not perfect, (perfect is boring by the way) the 12 tracks Reppa Ton has selected to give us are great examples of his strengths, his weaknesses, and most importantly his growth. Not only as producer and artist, but as a man as well. My favorite song on here is track three which is called "Famous" and to me, it is the best example of what Reppa Ton is capable of.

A fast delivery, strong beat which I do believe he produced, and a strong sense of focus. It also has a cool little intro where Aloe Black is talking about his fame, and lack of. Other notable records here are "Red Onion" featuring Nay B, where Reppa Ton is writing to his incarcerated brother and depicts an exchange between them, and of course Timeless featuring J-Leel, which is the most accessible and well put together record on the project, but really not something I personally am into. That being said, I'm fully aware that I don't have the "normal" tastes when it comes to music (let alone anything really), but you would have to be deaf to not recognize its developed sound and complete feel.

I didn't care for the "Scorpio Sexually" because Reppa Ton, I don't care about what you do or want to do in the bedroom man thats your business, and really after a song like "Devotion" with A.G. and Da Paper Lady right before, it really took away from the maturity this project represents. Still though. I also wasn't too interested in hearing "Palm Trees" which sounds just like "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" because really, Kendrick is Kendrick, Reppa Ton is Reppa Ton, be you, because you're great.

Anyway, I knew from when the first track "The Butterly Effect" came on that this time Reppa Ton was gonna bring it and not only did he do that, he earned my listen, and he deserves yours too.

Words by Black Liquid. - RVAMAG

Richmond, Va native Reppa Ton has released his freshman album Forever Changes. This 12 piece album is pure and packed with storylines that are relative to Reppa Ton’s timeline. While songs like “Butterfly Effect” and “The Summary” (Featuring D.R. Price) hold poignant lyrics over moody instrumentals other tracks like “Palm Trees”, “Strapped” and “Devotion” (Featuring A.G & Da Paper Lady) obtain rhythmic samples that one could cruise to. “Strapped” gives off a Ye vibe due to the instrumental choice and the reproduction of Kanye’s appalled lyrics for a portion of the chorus. I could picture people spilling drinks and getting a little to hype to “Holy Father” and then bumping “Timeless” after recovering from a gritty hangover. Overall Forever Changes is a flexible tail of who Reppa Ton is; there is something on this tape for everyone. - Born Again New York

Check out the interview with Reppa Ton exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.

Skilly: Tell us where this all began. What is your history in the music scene?
Reppa Ton: I actually fell into the music scene on accidental purpose. I’ve always been serious about my music, but I never knew the steps to take to be successful. I stumbled by my homie Roger one day and since then he opened this path of success for my career by introducing me to the right people.

He and my mentor (who was one of the first hip hop DJs in Richmond) both put me under their wing along with some other major movements who peeped my skill. As a rapper I’ve opened up and had meetings with some big names. On production I’ve worked on some classic material with great artists.

What are the best ways to promote yourself as an artist? Any tips you can give us?
Personally, I found the best way to promote yourself is show yourself. I never really followed trends nor the sound that people are gravitating to. Most of my success has been through showing my face and my skill on the stage and releasing dope music in places where people can sit down and absorb the greatness.

Being an artist, one of the best things we can do is show how much we relate to the audience. Tips I would have is know your sound and your audience and take over where you think they pay the most attention whether it be blogs or radio or even can food drives.

What do you ultimately want to become in your career?
The greatest musician to ever make music. I want to be known for my sounds like Jesus is known for his words.

What is the hardest thing about being in the music business?
Being yourself. It’s so hard when you know this style can make you money and get you fame in a sense. Even on the flipped spectrum. I love country music, but I have to fight myself to not make a country song because I know that’s not a Reppa Ton step. Staying within your own realm is possibly the hardest thing about the music business.

What is it like in your city? What is the music scene like, and how is it like living there overall?
It’s very artistic in my city, even though we are coming out a great music depression where everybody had a “crab in the barrel” attitude. We are now more ready than ever to be among the elite musicians on hip hop. It’s bittersweet living here, but I’d like to feel like that’s pretty much anywhere you spend 22 years in.

What are some of advice you can give and share to other artists who are still trying to come up?
Be yourself, study the art, study the game, and if you don’t take this game serious please leave it to the professionals. This isn’t a get rich quick scheme, this is life to many of us and some of the peers trying to come up need room to come up. If you do take this serious game serious, never conform but never be afraid of change.

What is the best thing that’s ever happened in your career?
Dropping my first album Forever Changes, having my first legit single “Timeless” featuring J-Leel, and my second single “Coast 66” featuring Dez on airwaves around the world, and headlining my first show in my hometown. All in the same year.

What is your inspiration?
Life’s nature and any good forms of art.

Do you feel anyone can be successful now in today’s world of music?
It depends on what their perception off success is. I feel if you anybody can put their mind to be successful then they can be successful, but if they doubt themselves then to hell with it.

Where can we find you on social media?
Twitter: @ReppaTon
Instagram: @ReppaTonMusic
Facebook: @Reppa Ton
Soundcloud: @thrii-letter - Skilly Magazine

A local rapper named Reppa Ton, real name Jarrell Wood, has released a new track, "Timeless," that he says he hopes will spread positivity during a rough week on the nightly news.

Released April 22, and written around six months earlier, the upbeat "Timeless" relates to the Baltimore crisis, he says, because "a lot of what's going on up there is the result of anger and agitation;" and we need to focus more on the good.

"Martin Luther King Jr said during his 1968 speech 'riot is the language of the unheard.'" Wood tells Style. "The record is an outspoken vibe of happiness and positivity. Family values are lost, the youth alongside the elders are battling society for a shot at comfort. My message is to break out the mental shackles we've been locked in and smile. It's okay to laugh, dance and celebrate a life worth living."

He's not worried that people will write it off as another "Don't Worry, Be Happy" message, or cynical ploy to earn hits off of tragedy.

"I'm not worried about the perception of 'Timeless' especially after the video is released," he says somewhat cryptically. "It doesn't fit in with a category of popular culture music or message."

So does Wood have any answers about how to build a better dialogue or future?

"A solution can stem from acknowledgment, practical guidance and insight on a brighter side," he says. "The perfect place to start this process is at home. As a great guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix once said 'When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.'"

Wood believes musicians can play a major role in supporting affirmative goals. And he notes that his debut album "Forever Changes" drops sometime this summer. You can check out more from him here.

"I believe that music has an influence like no other art forms. What we present verbally on a record creates a potential energy to be put in motion. Positivity is a progressive air to inhale while being oppressed . As I quote in the first verse of ['Timeless']: 'The lighter fluid lit outside the cave, helps me see I'm not a lion in a cage.'" - Style Weekly

The “From The 4 With Love: A Unity Hip Hop Concert” — scheduled to take place at The Broadberry — will showcase more than 15 Richmond hip-hop acts ranging from the smashmouth yet versatile styles of Gritty City artists Rah Scrilla and Reppa Ton, to the lavish sounds of Ndefru, to the gospel/hip hop fusion of artist Corey Goss.

“I like the direction not only Richmond, but Virginia hip hop is going in general and wanted to show that,” organizer Noah O said. “However things are very fractured and rap has so many sub genres and communities that don’t necessarily interact with one another. I like it all and believe it’s all hip hop at the end of the day and wanted to bring all of these worlds together.” - WTVR CBS 6

Boom bap, bass and bars will flow through the Hippodrome on Aug. 11 as they celebrate the 50 years of Richmond hip-hop!

“RVA Rapper’s Delight” is all about paying homage to Central Virginia’s hip-hop trailblazers through the past five decades.

“Not only spotlight hip-hop but hip-hop in the city, which has become a seriously important thing within the culture of Richmond as an entire city,” said Ant the Symbol, the show curator.

“Ant the Symbol” organized this event along with Shockoe Records. They saw other anniversary events popping up in other major cities and decided Richmond needed one of its own.


”We also wanted to spotlight the people who are making major moves right now. We’ve got Noah-O, Radio B, Cane, Reppa Ton and Nickelus F, who will be headlining,” said Ant the Symbol.

Nickelus F has made music for most of his life and even worked with other great legends like Drake. He also competed on the “Freestyle Friday” segment on BET’s 106 & Park and was crowned the champion seven weeks in a row.

He was later inducted into the program’s Hall of Fame in 2007. This event is personal for him because he remembers the times when Richmond’s hip-hop wasn’t celebrated.

”I remember when we didn’t have much of a hip-hop scene out here. we had a few hip-hop artists but there wasn’t much of a scene. The doors weren’t always open for us to do shows,” said Nickelus F. - NBC 12 News