 Nonetheless, it was the regional and national battle-rap competitions that gave his career a real boost.He finally landed an album deal jointly with Eastern Conference and Good Hands, the former owned by New York underground MC/DJ pair the High & Mighty.Early in 2004, Reef continued to freestyle, with a rousing performance at the Beat Society production competition in New York, and a win in the Riddle Records/Music & Strength "Mic Control 3" battle taking home $10,000 in cash.