Getting To Know: Chris Rene

Four months after nailing his X Factor audition with a show-stopping performance of the self-penned “Young Homie,” Chris Rene released his fiercely personal anthem as a single. Signed to Epic Records the rapper/singer/songwriter/musician came in third place on The X Factor and enamored audiences with his talent and then-recent triumph in overcoming addiction.

Masterfully capturing Rene’s struggles with substance abuse and journey to recovery, the song that put him on the map “Young Homie” now boasts a fatter beat and smoother groove perfectly suited to Rene’s inspired fusion of hip-hop and soul-pop.

With his upcoming album “I'm Right Here” and his current hit single “Trouble” and legions of fans, Chris is in a good place and happy to be there...time to check in with Chris Rene.

MS: Congratualtions Chris I did a post about your latest single “Trouble” on my blog and it became the number one post this week.

CR: Oh, Fuck yeah!

MS: That blog is a testament to your popularity, since all it was was me posting a photo of you, the lyric video for “Trouble” and alerting people to it's release date and wishing them a nice weekend.

CR: That's so funny!

MS: You're popular! How was being on “The X-Factor”?

CR: Man, that was the experience of a lifetime! I was like, yes! My pals are going to see this! All the couches I slept on, all the things I did, which you will hear later because I am writing a book...all the people I've met are going to see me. I've been in jail two times because I made some wrong decisions and all those people are going to see me on fucking TV doing something positive and representing. That was all I needed, I didn't need to make it far, for me it was people seeing me do what I'm good at.

MS: You were sober for a three year period, then you slipped back, now you have been sober again for a year, what made it stick this time?

CR: A spiritual awakening. Having been in a car crash and realizing I could have left the Earth, and leave my Son without a Father. It made me realize how selfish I was, my reality was nothing matters it was all about what I wanted. All I wanted to do was get high and mess up my life, for me to realize that woke me spiritually. I decided I don't want to be selfish anymore, I want to be a good Father, Son, Brother and go with the gift that God gave me.

MS: You do need something like that, sometimes.

CR: Yeah, we all do, right?

Photo: Epic Records

MS: How much has LA Reid's support meant to your career?

CR: Everyone always asks me about him, having his support is invaluable. It's a trip to have someone like him who is in the music business and knows what he is doing and has worked with a lot of major talent. He saw a spark in me, the potential and I plan to blow him away the end of next year. I have so much more that I can do, that I can't wait to show the world.

MS: From what I've seen, he seems like a really cool person.

CR: He's a great guy.

MS: Anything else you think your fans should know about?

CR: Yeah, watch out for me on Ricki Lake coming up in October. Also look out for me on Nickelodeon.

MS: Oh, what are you doing on Nickelodeon?

CR: I'll be on the show, what's the name of it? “Figure It Out” the show is called “Figure It Out”. I'm looking forward to people seeing that, I had a blast and it's going to be awesome!

MS: Wouldn't it be so cool to get slimed on the “Teen Choice Awards”? I would love it!

CR: Oh man, that would be so great!

Chris is busy! Keep up with him at:  http://www.chrisreneofficial.com/