Today we’d like to introduce you to Rey Dinero.
Hi Rey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I’ve always been around music. I played viola, then transitioned into playing saxophone. Taught myself guitar, and wrote songs for fun, but I never imagined I’d ever actually try to pursue music. I was an athlete, and my only goal was to make it as a pro, NFL, NBA, MLB it didn’t matter to me.
At the same time, I still would do something music-related here and there but it wasn’t until after I graduated high school in 2018 that I began to start doing music as more of a hobby. It started as me just playing around with a couple of friends at the University of Memphis who made music themselves. Eventually, we were making full songs and started a “rap group” which just consisted of us making songs and putting them on my friend’s SoundCloud. Eventually, I would meet more and more people who did music and started to learn my style a little bit better, but by this point, I still wasn’t looking to take music too seriously.
It wasn’t until the 2020 pandemic hit that I got into making my songs. I started just telling stories and making songs about how I was feeling, eventually incorporating a couple of stories from my life into the songs. Around late 2021, I was given the opportunity to make a song with a couple of local artists Austin Crui$e and Khidagodd. After they released it, the reception honestly surprised me. It would eventually lead to me releasing my first single “Rotation” in 2022 which would be my debut of sorts into the Memphis music scene.
The release and reception of “Rotation” made it clear to me that I at least should try this new pursuit. I began sort of studying the different rappers that made an impact on music, getting deeper into groups like Three 6 Mafia and 8ball & MJG, as well as diving more into some of my favorites growing up like Lil Wayne and Tyler the Creator. I always wanted to make sure to not only work on my craft as an artist and a rapper but also put time into coming up with creative ways to promote my songs. I released my first mixtape “The Prelude” and started working with artists outside of Memphis like luvvhades from the DMV area and Elicia Amaia from South Carolina. I started collaborating with local Memphis artists as well, meeting my good friend AJ which has led to a series of songs together.
I would eventually throw my music festival called “GasFest” in April of 2023 in collaboration with the local vendor “The Living Room” and its creator Chris Craig, which would double as not only my first event I would run, self-fund, and promote, but also as my first performance. The turnout and reception have honestly given me even more motivation to continue to work on my craft.
Currently, my goal is to continue to build a solid fan base. I have a lot of things planned to go into 2024 including throwing another “GasFest” and making more moves to build not only my career but to uplift the Memphis Music Scene.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it has not been smooth in the slightest, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Although GasFest was successful there were a ton of issues that I never thought would come up. I’m honestly still trying to break out within the city but I’m not worried at all.
The biggest struggle has been keeping consistent while also keeping things fresh and creative. I don’t like putting out anything that I feel like could be better but I’ve had to learn to work with what I have. This journey has taught me so much about myself as a person and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a lot of talents but ultimately, I’m a rapper. I believe what sets me apart from other rappers in the city is that I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone to get better.
I feel like every time I put down a verse or make a song I can hear and feel the progression. I’m most proud of my overall willingness to stick with everything. There have been lots of ups and downs but I’m honestly proud of myself for never letting anything stop me and I feel like I’m being rewarded for it.
What matters most to you? Why?
Being me at the end of the day. I’ve never been a clique person; I’ve never been someone that fit in really.
My whole life all I’ve been able to do is be me. No matter what anyone thinks or what happens otherwise.
As long as I’m being true to myself and my goals, I’m fine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/reydinero
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/reyd.nero?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DaStankBomb?si=ue9l_kL7nW0R3Eh0
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/GKToj38Yhgf9Dme78
Image Credits
D’Angelo Connell
