Reconcile (rapper)
| Reconcile | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ronald Stephen Lillard, Jr. |
| Also known as | Reconcile, Ronnie |
| Born |
March 20, 1989 Fort Myers, Florida |
| Genres | Hip hop, Political Hip Hop, Christian Hip Hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Frontline Movement |
| Associated acts | No Malice, Thi'sl |
Ronald Stephen "Ronnie" Lillard, Jr., (born March 20, 1989),[1] who goes by the stage name Reconcile, is an American hip hop recording artist. His first album Abandoned Hope was released in 2012, with Full Ride Music, which is a label started by rapper Thi'sl.[2] The second album, Sacrifice, released in 2014, with Frontline Movement.[3][4] Sacrifice was his Billboard chart debut album.[5]
Early life
Reconcile was born on March 20, 1989, as Ronald Stephen Lillard, Jr. in Fort Myers, Florida.[1] Reconcile was the second child of Tiffany Cummings who gave birth to him at the age of 16. He was raised by his father Ronald Stephen Lillard, Sr., after his parents got divorced. Reconcile played youth football for the Ft. Myers Rebels, and excelled as an athlete and student an early age. Reconcile grew up in various low-income neighborhoods, as he transitioned into high school his father told him football and education would be his only ticket to a better life.[6] Reconcile "aka" Ronnie Lillard and his father began to get into arguments and fist fights due to disciplinary issues. This began to strain their relationship resulting in him being kicked out of his home during his sophomore year. He moved in with his Grandparents before returning home at the end of his Senior year.[6] Reconcile played football linebacker position for Lehigh Senior High School. He was a three-year starter, team captain, defensive MVP, and led his team to Back to Back District Championships in 2005 & 2006. He ended his career with 298 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 3 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles. He was named Class 4a All District Team, All Lee County Teams, and was selected to play in the John Carrigan Rotary LCAC All Star Game. Lillard started at Linebacker and had 10 tackles to help lead the South Squad to a 26-15 win. His honors on the football field along with his GPA 3.89 helped him earn multiple scholarship offers to play Division 1 football. Reconcile chose to attend Rice University on a full athletic scholarship.[6] He is one of nine children and has four brothers and four sisters.[1]
College
Lillard was awarded a full scholarship to Rice University Rice to play the remainder of his collegiate days at linebacker starting in 2008.[1] While at Rice, he played a special teams role his freshman year, having three tackles in two or more games that he saw action.[1] Rice had one of its best years in program history and finished the season 10-3 after winning the Texas Bowl. He experienced his best game during his sophomore year against East Carolina. He recorded five tackles and an interception.[1] Before his junior year, he sustained an injury that ended his football playing days.[1] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree (Triple Majoring) in religious studies, philosophy, and sociology.[1][6] Post collegiate football, he turned his focus over to making hip hop music as well as forming a non-profit (Live Frontline) that helps mentor at risk teens on probation in inner city Houston, TX .
Music career
Reconcile released a free project entitled Abandoned Hope, on March 23, 2012 while Reconcile was still a senior in college. The project received over 45K downloads and garnered the attention of producer Street Symphony.[2] On May 20, 2014 Reconcile released his first album entitled Sacrifice.[3][4] Sacrifice charted #3 on iTunes Hip Hop and debuted on the Billboard charts, landing placement on the Top Rap Albums at No. 20.[5]
Personal life
Lillard is married to LaDwaina "Dway" Lillard,[7] and is presently residing in Houston, Texas, with his wife and children.[6]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions[5] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Chr |
US Gos |
US Rap | ||
| Abandoned Hope |
|
– | – | – |
| Sacrifice |
|
21 | 7 | 20 |
| Catchin Bodies' EP |
|
30 | 35 | – |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rice Owls football. "Ronnie Lillard Bio". Rice Owls football. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
- 1 2 Burkey, Josh (April 30, 2012). "Reconcile - Abandoned Hope". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- 1 2 New Release Tuesday (May 20, 2014). "Sacrifice by Reconcile". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Galla, Joshua (May 24, 2014). "Reconcile - Sacrifice". Jam the Hype. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- 1 2 3 http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AReconcile&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Reconcile
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Reconcile". Frontline Movement. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- ↑ ReconcileUs official twitter account (October 5, 2012). "Happy Birthday to my wife @ladwainalillard". Twitter. Retrieved February 22, 2015.