3 Ton Rey

3 Ton Rey (real name Addis Rey) was born and raised in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. He is the youngest of five children. His father was a well-known and respected artist and sculptor who owned the renowned and famous 843 Studio Art Gallery on East New York Avenue for over 30 years. His mother, a former dancer, served as the director of the art gallery and also ran a local children’s after-school and summer program. 3 Ton Rey is first and foremost, the child of immigrants. His father emigrated from Kingston, Jamaica in the early 60’s and initially served several years in the United States army. He later went on to become a professor at Medgar Evers College. His mother, a native of Guyana, came to the United States at the tender of age of 10. The culture and influences that his parents experienced being from the Caribbean heavily influenced how 3 Ton Rey approached music and lives his life.
The art gallery has since closed in September of 2007, but the spirit and message of what it embodied continues to live on in Rey and his music. Growing up in Brooklyn, some of his fondest memories were participating in the perilous excitement of the streets , listening to Reggae & Rap, and writing songs. Many of his songs were based on his experiences growing up in Brooklyn during the 80’s. Always a precocious child, Rey auditioned for and got the part of Toby/Kunta Kinte in his fifth grade class production of Roots. That is when he was bit by the acting and performance bug. Upon the suggestion of his teacher, Mr. Schwartz, Rey’s mother was able to secure an audition for him at the newly formed Professional Performing Arts High School in upper Manhattan. Rey was not daunted by the task before him, he wrote his very own monologue and performed it for the enrollment screeners. Needless to say, Rey aced his audition and was selected to attend the prestigious school the following school year.
His formative years in P.P.A.S were spent taking various drama and music courses. The rigorous course load prepared Rey for the grueling business that is the music industry. From P.P.A.S, Rey went onto his local high school where he further honed his rhyming skills by participating in street ciphers, performing at local venues, and pushing his lyrical ability to new heights. One of his fondest memories was trading verbal jabs with his older brother Ossawa, with whom he has a close bond. This ethos of hard work and determination was fueled by his parent’s lessons that you must work hard for the things that you desire in life. Upon graduation from high school at the age of 18, Rey took on the task of assisting his parents with the running and day to day operations of the gallery.
3 Ton Rey relocated to North Carolina in the winter of 2001 following the horrific events of September 11th. Those events and the ensuing chaos, mixed with additional personal challenges,eventually pushed Rey South “ Besides my personal problems, they turned NY to a police state”. He hated to see the city that he had called home for so many years, now in such despair. After the birth of his daughter – a complicated pregnancy- his songs become more melodic and far-reaching. He had a story to tell and everyone had to hear it. He spent many nights kicking his songs to his family and friends who encouraged him to pursue his musical career seriously. They were his most captivated audience. The next several years were spent going back and forth to New York to see his parents and his brother. Those trips affected Rey in a profound way. Whenever he set foot on New York soil he took a deep intake of breath and smiled inwardly. He was home.
In January 2007, 3 Ton Rey suffered a loss like no other. His father died on January 16th, 2007 and his beloved brother was subsequently arrested for his role in their father’s death. His brother, Ossawa, is still currently incarcerated. His father is no longer physically here. However, the teachings that his father bestowed on him serves as the blueprint for Rey’s daily life. He is attacking his music harder than ever. The sudden death and loss has propelled him to reach higher than the stars. There is no limit. 3 Ton has performed all over N.Y and N.C, his most eye-opening performance was in 2005 at Rikers Island Prison when he opened up for Fat Joe. Other venues include S.O.B’s, B.A.M, Brooklyn African Arts Festival, Club Speed, Atlantis Café, Ziggy’s and Chubby’s Lounge.
In short, 3 Ton Rey is the future of music. He is also music’s past. The love, joy, pain, anger, happiness, and raw emotion of his songs are echoes of the past resonating towards the future. His story reads like many others: triumph in the face of adversity, success by any means necessary, and giving it all you have. Just Listen.