{{Short description|Musician from Whittier, California}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Dax Reynosa | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|43|2013|10|24}} | birth_place = Whittier, California | relatives = Zane Reynosa (sister)<br />Jurny Big (cousin) | occupation = Rapper, singer, songwriter, hip hop and film producer, music manager | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | alias = Theory | genre = Christian hip hop, freestyle rap, smooth jazz, underground hip hop | instrument = Rapping, singing, production equipment | years_active = 1983–present | label = Antagonist, Brainstorm, independent, Solar, UpRok | associated_acts = The Dax Band, Elé, Footsoldiers, LPG, The Resistance, Tunnel Rats }} }}
'''Dax Reynosa''', often mononymously known as '''Dax''' and by the former stage name '''Theory''', is an American underground hip hop artist, producer, songwriter, smooth jazz singer, and music manager from Whittier, California. As a hip hop artist, he co-founded the underground Christian hip hop collective Tunnel Rats and the affiliated groups LPG, Footsoldiers, and The Resistance. He also co-founded the Latin funk and R&B band Elé and formed The Dax Band. He has contributed vocals and songwriting to numerous jazz recordings.
== Biography == In 1983, influenced by the newly emerged hip hop culture at Radiotron in MacArthur Park, Reynosa started b-boying and battle rapping.<ref name="laweekly">{{cite web|last=Nibokun|first=Imade|date=October 24, 2013|title=Tunnel Rats: Controversial Christian Rap Collective Turns 20|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2013-10-24/music/tunnel-rats-dax-reynosa/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025211455/http://www.laweekly.com/2013-10-24/music/tunnel-rats-dax-reynosa/|archive-date=October 25, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2021|work=LA Weekly|publisher=Voice Media Group}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Harris|first=Travis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Pa-DwAAQBAJ|title=Beyond Christian Hip Hop: A Move Towards Christians and Hip Hop|date=November 18, 2019|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-58965-2|editor-last=Gault|editor-first=Erika D.|location=Abingdon|pages=37–40, 43|language=en|chapter=1: A History of Christians and Hip Hop|editor-last2=Harris|editor-first2=Travis}}</ref> His lyrics discussed both his Christian faith and the crack epidemic he grew up amidst.<ref name="laweekly" /> He cites his formative influences as David Guzman and Soldiers for Christ.<ref name="battlerap">{{cite journal|last=Borha|first=Imade Nibokun|date=December 2013|title=Battle Rap Gospel: The Story of the Tunnel Rats|location=Ann Arbor|publisher=University of Southern California|id={{ProQuest|1499232942}}}}</ref> He also formed a dance crew, Cousins Three, with his cousins V.Night and Jurny Big, and they would compete at both dance and rapping at Pico Rivera Park.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="battlerap" /> Reynosa in 2012 recounted the fiercely competitive nature of the rap battles he engaged in: "When you lose, you change your name cuz I’m gonna iron your name on the back of my sweater. We battle for rhyme books and you can never rap those rhymes again. I would burn it in front of you."<ref name=":0" /><ref name="battlerap" />
In 1993, he formed the collective Tunnel Rats, taking inspiration for its name from his father, who served as a tunnel rat in the Vietnam War.<ref name="laweekly" /> Mostly finding audiences at churches, the group struggled to find acceptance from many Christians due to their lyrical braggadocio.<ref name="laweekly" /> The group also encountered racial prejudice when touring in the Southern United States because the majority of the group was of Mexican descent.<ref name="laweekly" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="battlerap" /> Shortly after the formation of Tunnel Rats, Reynosa and Jurny Big, as LPG, released ''The Earthworm'' in 1995,<ref name="laweekly" /><ref name="wade-o">{{cite web|last1=Bellini|first1=Jason|date=June 4, 2014|title=17 Artists The Tunnel Rats Have Influenced|url=http://wadeoradio.com/17-artists-the-tunnel-rats-have-influenced/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608045250/http://wadeoradio.com/17-artists-the-tunnel-rats-have-influenced/|archive-date=June 8, 2014|access-date=June 9, 2014|website=Wade-O Radio|publisher=DJ Wade-O}}</ref> a breakthrough album in Christian hip hop.<ref name="laweekly" /> The next year, Tunnel Rats released its first album, ''Experience''.<ref name="laweekly" /> LPG released a second album, ''360 Degrees'', in 1998,<ref>{{Cite web|title=LPG, "360 Degrees" Review|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/360Degrees.asp|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref> and Tunnel Rats released the groundbreaking ''Tunnel Vision'' through Uprok Records in 2001.<ref name="laweekly" /> LPG dropped ''The Gadfly'' in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web|title=LPG, "The Gadfly" Review|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheGadfly.asp|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref> and Tunnel Rats led the Uprok compilation ''Underground Rise, Volume 1: Sunrise/Sunset''.<ref name="crmag">{{cite journal|last=Legierski|first=Andrzej|date=September 1, 2003|title=Various – Tunnel Rats Present Underground Rise Vol 1: Sunrise/Sunset|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Various/Tunnel_Rats_Present_Underground_Rise_Vol_1_SunriseSunset/7650/|journal=Cross Rhythms|publisher=Cross Rhythms|issue=66|access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref> Tunnel Rats released its self-titled album in 2004.<ref name="laweekly" /> In 2006, Reynosa helped organize the Tunnel Rats-affiliated group Footsoldiers,<ref name="footsoldiers">{{Cite web|last=Cordor|first=Cyril|title=Footsoldiers|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/footsoldiers-mn0002326959/biography|access-date=May 14, 2013|website=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network}}</ref> and formed the production duo The Resistance with Tunnel Rats producer Dert.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Henly|first=Ralph|title=Life|url=http://shamesworthy.bandcamp.com/album/life|access-date=May 17, 2014|via=Bandcamp}}</ref><ref name="life">{{Cite web|last=Naber|first=Joshua|date=June 19, 2006|title=KRS-One – Life|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.653/title.krs-one-life|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121727/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.653/title.krs-one-life|archive-date=May 17, 2014|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=HipHopDX|publisher=Cheri Media Group}}</ref> Footsoldiers and the Resistance collaborated with KRS-One on his album ''Life'', and KRS-One in return appeared on the Footsoldiers' album ''Live This.''<ref name="footsoldiers" /> Reynosa co-produced the 2003 documentary film, ''The Battle for L.A.: Footsoldiers, Vol. 1,'' with director Darren Doane.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Farber|first=Jim|date=January 4, 2004|title=RAPPING EACH OTHER TO SHREDS A pair of films gets down & dirty with hip hop's battling emcees|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/rapping-shreds-pair-films-dirty-hip-hop-battling-emcees-article-1.579015|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=NY Daily News}}</ref> Tunnel Rats currently is on hiatus, and Reynosa currently contributes vocals to jazz recordings.<ref name="laweekly" /> In 2013, he co-founded Elé with Adelaide "Addie" Benavides, and works as the band's manager.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Ng|first=Nick|date=May 23, 2014|title=Elé Band Hits L.A. With 'Funky' Latin Music|url=https://guardianlv.com/2014/05/ele-band-hits-l-a-with-funky-latin-music/|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Liberty Voice}}</ref> Elé mixes together R&B, pop, funk and blues with Latin genres such as cumbia, merengue, and salsa.<ref name=":1" /> He also formed a self-described jazz band, The Dax Band.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Dax Band: About|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/The-Dax-Band-217523518288907/about/|access-date=January 9, 2021|website=Facebook|language=en}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Tunnel Rats === {{Further|Tunnel Rats discography}}
=== LPG === {{Further|LPG (American band)}}
=== As featured artist === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Title !Other artists !Year !Album |- |"What I Feel"<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Remember the Future – Album by Future Shock|date=June 12, 1996|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3fpCgnmOOifpGnI4QWjZyI|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Spotify}}</ref> |Future Shock |1996 |''Remember the Future'' |- |"Costume and Rumors"<ref name=":6" /> |Future Shock |1996 |''Remember the Future'' |- |"Peace in the Puzzle"<ref name=":6" /> |Future Shock |1996 |''Remember the Future'' |- |"Welcome"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welcome by Raphi|date = January 2002|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/welcome/715924489?i=715924711|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Raphi, Macho |2002 |''Cali Quake'' |- |"Better"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Torreano|first=Bradley|title=Cali Quake – Raphi|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/cali-quake-mw0000225677|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |Raphi |2002 |''Cali Quake'' |- |"Speak Life"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Evans|first=Joseph|title=SPEAK LIFE, by 7EV STATIK|url=https://sevstatik.bandcamp.com/album/speak-life|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Bandcamp}}</ref> |Sev Statik |2002 |''Speak Life'' |- |"My People"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Henly|first=Ralph|title=Stop the Music, by Shames Worthy|url=https://shamesworthy.bandcamp.com/album/stop-the-music|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Bandcamp}}</ref> |New Breed |2002 |''Stop the Music'' |- |"Keep On Singin'"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mabee|first=Justin|date=September 16, 2005|title=Propaganda, "Out Of Knowhere" Review|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/OutOfKnowhere.asp|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref> |Propaganda |2003 |''Out of Knowhere'' |- |"Kick Kick"<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Underground Rise – Sunrise Sunset (CD)|url=http://www.sphereofhiphopstore.com/product/underground-rise-sunrise-sunset-cd|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119172231/http://www.sphereofhiphopstore.com/product/underground-rise-sunrise-sunset-cd|archive-date=November 19, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Sphere of Hip Hop}}</ref> |LMNO, Knows, Zane, Dezin8ed, and Sev Statik |2003 |''Underground Rise, Volume 1: Sunrise/Sunset'' |- |"Cyphers"<ref name=":2" /> |Elsie and Propaganda |2003 |''Underground Rise, Volume 1: Sunrise/Sunset'' |- |"Remember this Day"<ref name=":2" /> |2Mex, Neogen, Dert, Reconcile, Professor Who, Dokument,<br />Chosen1, Griffin, Lazarus, Raphi, Drastic, Propaganda, and Macho |2003 |''Underground Rise, Volume 1: Sunrise/Sunset'' |- |"Lost Angels"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jurny Big|url=https://hhhdb.com/index.php?id=415|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Holy Hip Hop Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Henly|first=Ralph|title=Biggest of 'em All, by Shames Worthy|url=https://shamesworthy.bandcamp.com/album/biggest-of-em-all|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Bandcamp}}</ref> |Jurny Big |2003 |''Biggest of 'em All'' |- |"Freedom"<ref name=":4" /> |KRS-One, Ishues |2006 |''Life'' |- |"Not Anymore"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reynosa|first=Zane|date=|title=LA Woman, by Zane One|url=https://zaneone.bandcamp.com/album/la-woman|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=|via=Bandcamp}}</ref> |Zane One |2008 |''L.A. Woman'' |- |"Rise"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Propaganda, "Listen Watch Focus" Review|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ListenWatchFocus.asp|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref> |Propaganda |2009 |''Listen Watch Focus'' |- |"Watch (Healing)"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch (Healing) [feat. Dax aka Theory] by Peace 586|date = July 7, 2009|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/watch-healing-feat-dax-a-k-a-theory/318391272?i=318394605|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Peace 586 |2009 |''HeAr'' |- |"Yes"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Euge Groove – Sunday Morning|url=http://www.smooth-jazz.de/flashback/Groove/Sundaymorning.htm|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Smooth-Jazz.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=West|first=Shannon|date=November 2009|title=Euge Groove – Sunday Morning|url=http://www.smoothviews.com/cdreviews/groove_sundaymorning.htm|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Smooth Views}}</ref> |Euge Groove |2009 |''Sunday Morning'' |- |"Let Me Love You"<ref name="Paul Brown – Love You Found Me">{{Cite web|title=Paul Brown – Love You Found Me|url=http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Brown/Loveyoufoundme.htm|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Smooth-Jazz.de}}</ref> |Paul Brown |2010 |''Love You Found Me'' |- |"Shine Shoes"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shine by Marcin Nowakowski|date=November 7, 2011|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/shine/490002044|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Marcin Nowakowski |2011 |''Shine'' |- |"Live Your Dream"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ortega|first=Rosario "Macho"|title=Remember, by Macho|url=https://machosmusic.bandcamp.com/album/remember|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Bandcamp}}</ref> |Macho |2011 |''Remember'' |- |"Drum"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drum (feat. Dax Reynosa) by Shihan the Poet|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drum-feat-dax-reynosa/626626199?i=626626311|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Shihan the Poet |2013 |''Music is the New Cotton'' |- |"Where Do We Go From Here"<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=In the Moment – Daniel Chia|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-moment-mw0003016289|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |Daniel Chia, Lew Liang |2017 |''In the Moment'' |- |"Say You Will"<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Williams|first=Mark Eyton|date=May–June 2017|title=CD Reviews: Daniel Chia|url=https://issuu.com/smoothjazzmag.com/docs/chieli_minucci_may_june_2017|magazine=Smooth Jazz Magazine|page=77}}</ref> |Daniel Chia, Paul Brown |2017 |''In the Moment'' |- |"I Never Knew"<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Love Album|date=June 21, 2019|url=https://music.apple.com/ng/album/the-love-album/id1467230811|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Triune, DJ Joey C |2019 |''The Love Album'' |}
== Production discography == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Artist |- |1996<ref>{{Cite web|title=Future Shock|url=https://hhhdb.com/artist.php?id=90|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Holy Hip Hop Database}}</ref> |''Remember the Future'' |Future Shock |- |1996<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Tunnel Rats|url=https://www.hhhdb.com/index.php?id=239|access-date=January 13, 2021|website=Holy Hip Hop Database}}</ref> |''Experience'' |Tunnel Rats |- |2001<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Dax Reynosa|url=https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10059481|access-date=January 8, 2021|language=en-US|via=Tidal}}</ref> |''Tunnel Vision'' |Tunnel Rats |- |2002<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Dax Reynosa: Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dax-reynosa-mn0000232695/credits|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |''Cali Quake'' |Raphi |- |2003<ref name=":8" /> |''Stop the Music'' |New Breed |- |2003<ref name=":8" /> |''Zion'' |Zion |- |2005<ref>{{Cite web|title=Power 2 the People – Bigg Milt|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/power-2-the-people-mw0000348816|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |"Now I Know" |Bigg Milt |}
=== The Resistance production discography === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Artist |- |2005 |''Both Sides''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Both Sides – Tunnel Rats: Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/both-sides-mw0000169556/credits|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |Tunnel Rats |- |2006 |''Life''<ref name="life" /> |KRS-One |- |2006 |''Live This''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Live This – Footsoldiers: Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-this-mw0000581246/credits|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |Footsoldiers |}
== Additional credits == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Work !Artist !Credit |- |2003 |''The Gadfly'' |LPG |Executive production<ref>{{Cite web|title=LPG|url=https://www.hhhdb.com/index.php?id=144|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=Holy Hip Hop Database}}</ref> |- |2006 |''Life'' |KRS-One |Executive production, vocals<ref name=":8" /> |- |2010 |''Love You Found Me'' |Paul Brown |Vocal production, vocals, composition<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Paul Brown – Love You Found Me"/> |- |2012 |"Love Don't Come EZ" |Paul Brown |Composition, vocals<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Funky Joint|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-funky-joint-mw0002295747|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |- |2013 |''Real Life'' |Bart Brandjes |Vocals, composition<ref name=":8" /> |- |2013 |"Take You Here"<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=9 Mile Road – Various Artists|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/9-mile-road-mw0002597750|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |Tierra<ref>{{Cite web|title=9 Mile Road by Various Artists|date=November 12, 2013|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/9-mile-road/1241096973|access-date=January 8, 2021|via=Apple Music}}</ref> |Composition<ref name=":9" /> |- |2014 |''Wishing on Love'' |Melina |Vocals, composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wishing on Love – Melina|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wishing-on-love-mw0002756879|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |- |2014 |"Sunrise on Sunset" |Paul Brown |Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Truth B Told – Paul Brown|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/truth-b-told-mw0002696902|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |- |2016 |"Midnight Passion" |Bennet B |Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Midnight Passion – Bennett B|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/midnight-passion-mw0002956322|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |- |2018 |"Yesterday Love" |Rob Zinn |Vocals, composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Walk the Walk – Rob Zinn|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/walk-the-walk-mw0003154702|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> |}
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Producer !Notes |- |2004 |''The Battle for L.A.: Footsoldiers, Vol. 1''<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaVasseur|first=Andrea|title=The Battle for L.A.: Footsoldiers, Vol. 1 (2003) – Darren Doane|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-battle-for-la-footsoldiers-vol-1-v293094|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=AllMovie}}</ref> |{{X mark}}<ref name=":5" /> |Documentary film |}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
{{Tunnel Rats}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynosa, Dax}} Category:American hip-hop record producers Category:Rappers from California Category:American male rappers Category:American rappers of Mexican descent Category:Smooth jazz singers Category:Tunnel Rats (music group) members Category:Hispanic and Latino American singers Category:Christian hip-hop Category:Songwriters from California Category:1970s births Category:Hip-hop musicians from Whittier, California Category:Jazz musicians from California Category:American music managers Category:Underground rappers Category:Film producers from California Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)