Whatever Happened To Former Cash Money Records Artist Papa Reu?

#NOLAZINE - When people talk about the golden era of Cash Money Records, the names Juvenile, B.G., Lil Wayne, Turk, Birdman and Mannie Fresh usually dominate the conversation. But longtime fans of the label will remember another distinctive voice who appeared alongside the Cash Money family during its rise: Papa Reu.

Papa Reu may not have released a major solo album through Cash Money, but his unique combination of Southern hip-hop, reggae, dancehall and melodic vocals made him stand out during an era when Cash Money was becoming one of the biggest forces in rap.

So, whatever happened to Papa Reu?

From Trinidad to Houston

Born Reuben Nero in Trinidad and Tobago, Papa Reu eventually relocated to Houston, Texas, as a teenager. His Caribbean roots became an important part of his musical identity. Instead of sounding like every other Southern rapper coming up during the 1990s, Reu blended reggae and dancehall influences with the street-oriented sound of Southern hip-hop.

He would describe his musical mixture as something almost like a musical "gumbo," bringing together the Caribbean culture he grew up around and the Southern rap culture he became immersed in after moving to Texas.

Before his association with Cash Money, Papa Reu was already making connections with major Southern artists. One of his important early appearances came on 8Ball & MJG's 1994 album On the Outside Looking In.

That placed him in the mix during an important period when Southern hip-hop was rapidly building its own identity.

Becoming Part of the Cash Money Movement

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Cash Money Records was on fire.

After signing its groundbreaking distribution agreement with Universal, the New Orleans label went from a regional powerhouse to a national phenomenon. Juvenile's 400 Degreez helped open the floodgates, while B.G., Lil Wayne, Turk, the Hot Boys and Big Tymers continued pushing the Cash Money sound across America.

Papa Reu became associated with Cash Money during this period and appeared on recordings connected to some of the label's biggest artists.

Fans may remember his presence on Juvenile's "Rich N*az,"** alongside Lil Wayne and Turk, as well as appearances connected to Lil Wayne and the Big Tymers. His Caribbean-influenced delivery gave Cash Money records another flavor that was different from the New Orleans voices surrounding him.

Papa Reu's Cash Money affiliation appears to have been relatively brief, with historical discographies listing him with the label around 2000 and no solo Cash Money album credited to him.

But being around Cash Money during that particular period was significant. This was the era when the label's artists were becoming national stars and helping change how the music industry viewed Southern rap.

Papa Reu Had His Own Movement

One thing that sometimes gets lost when discussing Papa Reu is that his career wasn't entirely dependent upon Cash Money.

He had his own identity.

In 2000, he released Xcuse Me! through his own Reu Muzik operation, followed by U Know Me and later Certified.

His ability to move between singing, rapping and Caribbean-influenced melodies made him somewhat ahead of the curve. Today, hearing artists blend rap with melodic vocals and Caribbean sounds isn't unusual. During Papa Reu's early years, however, that combination wasn't nearly as common within mainstream Southern hip-hop.

"Tight Whips" Introduced Him to Even More Fans

One of Papa Reu's biggest moments outside of his Cash Money appearances came through his involvement with the 504 Boyz song "Tight Whips."

The 2002 record helped introduce Papa Reu to another audience and connected him with the No Limit Records movement as well. His career is interesting because he was able to work around several major Southern rap camps instead of being permanently identified with only one.

His collaborations over the years have connected him with artists from different parts of Southern hip-hop, further establishing him as one of those artists whose résumé is much deeper than casual listeners may realize.

So Why Didn't Papa Reu Become a Bigger Star?

Papa Reu's story is a reminder that being part of a legendary movement doesn't automatically guarantee mainstream solo superstardom.

Cash Money already had an incredibly stacked roster during its breakthrough period. Juvenile was becoming a superstar, B.G. had developed a devoted following, Lil Wayne was emerging as the future of the company, and Birdman and Mannie Fresh were building the Big Tymers brand.

Papa Reu ultimately continued carving out his own path rather than becoming one of the label's long-term flagship artists.

That doesn't erase his contribution.

For people who closely followed Southern rap during the late '90s and early 2000s, Papa Reu's voice is instantly recognizable.

Papa Reu Didn't Disappear

The answer to "Whatever happened to Papa Reu?" is actually pretty simple:

He kept making music.

Papa Reu remained active after his Cash Money years and continued releasing records and collaborating with other artists. In 2015, The Source caught up with him and described him as a former Cash Money artist while discussing his reunion with Lil Wayne and his continuing career.

More importantly, Papa Reu still maintains an official presence today.

His official website showcases music including "Solo Dolo," "Self Esteem," "Represent," "Money Right," "Looking Good" featuring Z-Ro, "How We Ball," and other material.

Papa Reu's Official Website

That means Papa Reu isn't simply another artist who vanished after his time around a major label. He continued building his own catalog and maintaining his identity independently.

Papa Reu deserves to be remembered as more than simply "that other artist who was with Cash Money."

His career connects several important pieces of Southern hip-hop history.

He came from Trinidad, established himself in Houston's rap scene, worked with 8Ball & MJG, became associated with Cash Money during one of the label's most important periods, appeared alongside some of its biggest stars and later continued creating music under his own banner.

Most importantly, Papa Reu brought something different.

Long before the modern rap industry became filled with artists mixing singing, rapping, reggae, dancehall and hip-hop, Papa Reu was experimenting with those sounds and bringing his Caribbean background into Southern street music.

He may not have reached the commercial heights of some of his former Cash Money associates, but longevity tells its own story.

More than three decades after he began making his name in Southern hip-hop, Papa Reu is still connected to the music.

For Cash Money fans who remember hearing that unmistakable voice during the label's golden era, Papa Reu remains part of the history of a movement that changed Southern hip-hop forever.

Whatever happened to Papa Reu? He never really went anywhere. He simply continued his journey outside of the Cash Money spotlight.