Flowers for Mister REY
Along with Mister REY’s family, loved ones, dozens of artists, musicians, and community members, I stood waiting in the hallways of the ICU. That hallway was packed, with silent prayers echoing, begging you, Rey, to please wake up. To remind you, you are still needed Earthside. I was not prepared to say goodbye. I crumbled seeing you hooked up to so many machines.. and yet, you looked peaceful, as if you were just sleeping; we were the ones having the nightmare. I fell apart for weeks, revisiting messages, photos, songs, plans, ideas, silly shenanigans— and trying to swallow the sting of regret, from no longer having the opportunity to say the things left unsaid. The outpour of stories and love from our communities was not only a great personal reminder that grief comes from love, but a grand scale reminder of how widespread his impact was throughout the hip hop scene in the Bay Area and San Francisco. And more specifically, Frisco. Mister REY never hesitated to give someone their flowers, express appreciation, or encourage a nervous artist to pursue their visions. And because of this encouragement and support, Rey had a hand in so many great projects and fruitions.
I started my blog with think pieces and artist spotlights on Hip Hop x Asian America shortly after I started working with Ro3lay and Mister REY on their release of the Native Immigrant album. We often bounced ideas back and forth, and Rey practically spoon fed me names for new, upcoming songs and artists that deserved more shine. We explored the idea of a record label for Asian American artists; We drummed up visions that we couldn’t afford— and while these didn’t pan out, we reveled in dreaming big! And just daring to dream is part of any creative journey. I found so much comfort in that communal outpour of flowers for Mister REY, including creative tributes from creatives, musicians, and DJs.
AudVision: “GRIEF (A Tribute to Mister REY)”
AudVision, a producer and rapper based in San Diego, released the track, “Grief (A Tribute to Mister REY),” shortly after the passing of Mister REY. In their journal-entry-style project of compilations, entitled Stream of Consciousness, AudVision samples their own interview with Mister REY which was recorded during their time in the Bay Area. For context, Mister REY, AudVision, and I all worked together at the Bayanihan Equity Center in San Francisco as Community Service Workers, and in their track, “Grief,” AudVision immortalizes Mister REY’s thoughts on social justice, the Filipinx community, and serving the people:
“What motivates me is.. the People we serve look like us. They come from where we come from, and a lot of us have the same narrative.”
—Mister REY
AudVision’s track is raw—as grief is— and doesn’t pull back on the heaviness of grieving. I had the immense privilege of getting this track personally sent to me, after a long talk with AudVision about the loss of Mister REY. From my point of view, as folks who worked together in community, “Grief”encapsulates that brief window of time that we shared space altogether, as advocates and creatives. My personal highlight of the track is just getting to hear Rey’s laugh one more time— and knowing that I can always come back to hear the jokester’s laugh again. Thank you, AV.
I’ll be sharing more of AudVision’s music in the next posts to come.
“My action be prayer
My art be prayer
Exchange with love and community prayer
My life be prayer, I talk, you hear
The power in my words,
I know you’re out there”
—AudVision, “Grief (A Tribute to Mister REY)”
“Salamat Mister REY” a Mixtape by ET IV
Beloved Bay Area DJ, prolific collage artist, official DJ of the Balikbayans, and pillar of ASTIG Sound, ET IV not only released a tribute mixtape, entitled “Salamat Mister REY,” he continues to push Mister REY’s extensive catalogue forward:
”These more recent projects we worked on together will always have a special place in my heart.. he really trusted me with the visuals for a lot of his offerings .. many times we didn’t really have to talk too much, we just kinda knew on another level of communication.. I encourage everyone reading this to check out his Bandcamp & Soundcloud to hear just a small piece of what his genius was about (not even including the countless collaborations he did with so many hip hop artists & emcees).”
Reynaldo T. Novicio Jr. also known as Mister REY is a FRISCOPINX artist, music producer, father, community & cultural worker and mental health advocate. Born in Makati City, Philippines, he immigrated to the US when he was 12 years old and moved into the Mission District of San Francisco. As an urban immigrant youth, he adopted a Hip Hop identity that has become the impetus for his activism, and a framework for community. He has collaborated with fellow local heavyweight artists and community workers, including Denizen Kane, Nomi of Power Struggle, RO3LAY and Ruby Ibarra.
Check out more of Mister REY's music:
SoundCloud: mister_rey
www.misterrey.bandcamp.com
www.ro3lay.bandcamp.com
www.rockyg.bandcamp.com
Please continue to share and donate this GoFundMe Campaign to support Rey’s children.
