Annapolis remembers the rapper Tre Da Kid
32-year-old, also known for his parenting, found fatally shot in car Friday
Messages of love flooded the Facebook profile page of Edward Montre Seay on Saturday. Though most people knew him as Tre Da Kid, or just Montre.
The 32-year-old was found fatally shot in a car that had been involved in a singlevehicle crash Friday night, Annapolis police said.
Officers were called at 9:19 p.m. for reports of a shooting and found Seay at Forest Drive and South Cherry Grove Avenue.
No arrests had been made as of Saturday evening, according to police.
Seay was a lifetime city resident and graduated from Annapolis High School in 2005. He made a name for himself by making music.
In 2016 Seay won the national Freestyle 50 Challenge in Atlanta. His skills earned him a $10,000 prize, a recording contract and the opportunity to go on tour with an artist from 300 Entertainment, an independent record label.
This March, he released his album “TDK: Titles Define Kings.” His lyrics describe pain and heartbreak, but also what it’s like to preserver and defy the odds:
“I think about the days I could have died like 10 times.
“Only thing that saved me was rap, I had to spit rhymes,” he raps on the album’s title track.
Seay was scheduled to perform at The One Sports Bar & Lounge in Baltimore on Friday night.
Friends and family of the rapper took to his Facebook page to share personal stories. One person remarked Seay shone a “light on the city” of Annapolis.
An aspiring rapper said Seay offered him advice about writing music. Some are already calling on Mayor Gavin Buckley rename a street, “Montre Seay Way.”
Comacell Brown grew up with Seay. He called his late friend an “inspiration.”
“Any time there was any doubt, he was the one to make us a believer,” Brown said. “We’ve all just rallied behind him so we’re really appreciative of him continuing to follow the dream.”
Seay was well-known in the community, not only for rapping but also for his parenting, Brown said. Schoolwork always came first for Seay’s 10-year-old son.
“Everyone looks at him as the father of the year,” said Brown.
The two were close, Brown said. When Brown went to college in Atlanta, he moved Seay with him so the young rapper could jump start his career.
“His overall goal has always been to put the city of Annapolis at the forefront of music and also to leave a great legacy behind for his parents,” Brown said.
Police were called to respond to Seay minutes before the Arundel Center would be illuminated with the color orange in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
About 20 businesses this weekend have hung signs in their windows as part of a citywide demonstration against gun violence.
The demonstrations continued Saturday at a rally hosted by the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Dozens convened in Annapolis 16 hours after Seay was pronounced dead.
Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson said she wants to work with the community to find solutions to gun violence that’s gutted the city.
“Another young promising life has been lost. We must get the guns off of our streets and stop the violence,” said Finlayson, who represents the ward in which Seay died.
“Whether it’s through tougher legislation, stricter enforcement, community involvement, and/or all of the above, this senseless violence must stop.”
Seay’s death remains under investigation and police urged anyone with information to contact 410-260-3439. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
Those with information related to the case can also contact Detective Shomar Johnson at sljohnson@annapolis.gov.
Tips that lead to an arrest or indictment may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. twitter.com/lauren_lumps