On the 21 October 2016,
A-Reece released his debut album Paradise. After a few releasesβ2017βs From Me To You & Only You, and 2018βs And Iβm Only 21 EPβthat fell on the same date in the last few years, Reece fans have grown to expect new music from the mysterious rap star on 21 October. While fans anticipated the sequel to his debut in 2022, Reece opted to drop a prelude instead. In the seven-track EP, he gives fans what they love him forβboth boastful raps and personal reflections accompanied by boom bap-leaning production. On βBad Guyβ, he speaks on both his domination of the game and broken relationships: he raps, βThey used to be my dogs, now they all strays.β He is joined by ATL rapper Quentin Miller to deal with existential missteps and betrayal on
βDEATHβ. He surrenders to a lover on βIntentionsβ, a lush R&B tune where Marcus Harveyβs whispery falsetto melts into piano chimes and wandering vocal samples. But
DEADLINES also sees Reece colouring outside the box, as he ropes in multifaceted dance music maestro
DJ Maphorisa, and his brother and longtime collaborator,
Jay Jody, for the sentimental βSomething to Fight Forβ, carried by an Afropop bounce.Β DEADLINES also brings with it a full-circle moment on βBIGGER THAN MEβ, a long-overdue, reflective collaboration with Emtee who he last worked with in his breakout hit βCOULDNβTβ. Elsewhere, A-Reece further alludes to his musicβs sacred purpose on βGodlikeβ, rapping, βWhen God made me, he created a leader/ Been a legend since the days of a foetus.