John Reuben's 2000 debut, Are We There Yet?, landed the young Ohio native on the scene with rave reviews and specialty radio play that highlighted his socially-rich lyrics and revivalist style. In 2002, John returns with his strong follow-up, Hindsight.

Co-producing himself with returning producer Todd Collins (GRITS, Out of Eden, Gotee Brothers), John delivers a musical gem with 14 tracks sure to pierce the underbelly of the hip-hop scene. From the amped up live feel of "Sound Man" to the bouncing club-anthem "We Up and at 'em," John delivers a positive, life-based, unity-driven, message over addictive beat tracks mixed together by F. Reid Shippen (India.Arie, Relient K). His latest effort is sure to connect with new fans on John's forthcoming spring tour with headliners Out of Eden and 2002 Grammy winner Toby Mac.

In addition to elevating his broadening appeal, Hindsight also exemplifies John's artistic side by taking on more progressive lyrical and musical styles. The track "I Pictured It" offers a passionate yet poetic lyrical delivery over a perfectly timed beat set at double speed all building toward an emotional intense climax. The songs "The Defensive Offender" and "Breathe" likewise incorporate radical sounds tweaked and fused to accentuate the lyrics' stunning transparent honesty.

John reflects, "These songs explore elements of other styles of music that I genuinely love, and I strived to make sense of them within the hip-hop format. By capturing the same passion and energy, these tracks are successful at pushing the limits."

Hindsight also succeeds in communicating deep feelings and ideas through an easily understood, immediate format. From attacking the ego-driven pitfalls of image in "Doin" (featuring beats by LA Symphony's Flynn) to battling personal frustrations in the album's title track, Hindsight -- an introspective look at the clarity that comes with a seasoned perspective. John successfully takes his personal hardships and deep feelings and lyrically disseminates them through equally compelling music.

John's uniquely appealing brand of "real rap" stems from the deep roots of his socially eclectic upbringing. With a family who valued cultural diversity, John was exposed to an ethically rich upbringing. The future MC, whose mother went through and Ohio based assistance program (founded by an ex-gang member from Brooklyn) before he was born, lived on the outreach's church property, which allowed John to grow up around inner-city kids from all across the country.

Being too young to call himself "old school," John's taste for hip-hop proved unquenchable upon discovering such lyrically-minded artists as KRS 1, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Pharcyde. Hitching a bus ride to the downtown hip-hop shops, John soon discovered the town's brutal open mic and rap battle sessions, the raw proving ground where the young rapper developed his emcee chomps. After connecting with the rap crew The Showcase, John released the solo EP, Monuments, and from there is was only a matter of time.

Inking with Gotee Records, John dropped Are We There Yet? and followed with a road warrior tour mentality that took his music across North and South America, Europe and India, touring with groups like Five Iron Frenzy, Relient K, Pax 217, and Spoken. John also hit all the summer festivals on the 2001 Virtual Frequency Stage.

With Hindsight, John Reuben delivers more energetically-charged hip-hop anthems lending more momentum to music's revivalist revolution. From progressive musical ideas, to deep lyrical confessions, John has retaken the mic with even more soul and passion. Don't let this one pass you by, or you'll be kicking yourself in Hindsight.

Hindsight will be in stores on May 21.