Richard "Areim" Cortez is a solo artist, engineer, and administrative executive at Tru Playerz Entertainment. Areim is a Colorado native. He is the oldest of three children. In 1992 Areim lost his parents in an apparent murder-suicide. In 2006 he was convicted of robbery and spent 2 years in Colorado D.O.C. His adversity in life is what he credits his spiritual growth and passion for life to. In 2012 Areim was offered a distribution deal with Tate Music Group, but his battle with a heroin addiction was what kept him from following through with the deal. Overcoming addiction is something he says is his main focus every single day. "It's not something that goes away. You have to resist the temptation for as long as you live." says Areim. Being a single father of three children is what he says, "Keeps me honest." His ultimate goal in life is to "Pour positive energy into every person I'm blessed with the opportunity to encounter."