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by Minister of Information JR Valrey
I came across the musical works of Money Tut and the group EIGHTY3, when I was the tour manager on tour with Tony, Toni, Tone and Keidraonstage in Ghana, West Africa, in July and August of 2021. While on a dusty road between Cape Coast and Accra, I got turned on to the group EIGHTY3, which consisted of Yung Lott, Money Tut and Keidra. They were like a Bay Area hood version of the Firm or the Fugees. Ever since then, I was vigilant of any news dealing with any of the members dropping new music.
I recently caught up with the Hunters Point rhyme-spitter Money Tut at the History of the Bay concert at the Midway in Frisco, a few weeks ago in July, and we lined up and scheduled a day for this exclusive interview.
JR Valrey: How did you get into rapping? How old were you? Who did you start out with?
Money Tut: In 1993-94 my cousin Que from Potrero Hill in San Francisco was writing his own music and recording hits. He taught me and my cousin J.R., aka the sylencer, how to count bars and write.
JR Valrey: You were in a group named 83 with Yung Lott and Keidraonstage. What happened with that? Will EIGHTY3 reunite to make music in the future?
Money Tut: The group EIGHTY3 was special because I had a chance to work with two underground artists, who I believe to be the most talented out there. Due to us all being individual artists and having our own separate prior engagements, we were able to finish our first album. However, we weren’t able to give the group aspect of our music careers our best effort and time, so we parted ways as solo artists with the hope of coming back together in the future.
JR Valrey: How would you describe your sound as a solo artist?
Money Tut: I’d describe myself having an urban sound with a rugged edge while still leaving a space for a R&B flare.
JR Valrey: When and where did you get the name Tut from?
Money Tut: The name Tut came from my family. They named me after a king named Tutankhamun better known as King Tut.
JR Valrey: Can you talk about the movie that you and Yung Lott are filming. What is it about? When is it expected to drop?
Money Tut: Right now the movie is currently still in production. I don’t have a date to give you, but moving forward expect to see us on the big screen soon.
JR Valrey: What inspired you as a musician to want to get into filmmaking?
Money Tut: While pursuing music for the last 20+ years – and that involved shooting videos – I always loved being in front of the camera. I had my experience with several short skits and dialogue throughout multiple videos. It’s something I enjoyed and I got very interested in. A few years ago I got the chance to appear in several episodes of a YouTube series. It was then I realized my passion for movies and short films.
JR Valrey: San Francisco Hip Hop is at the top of the game in the Bay, like no other time. How do you feel being from the City?
Money Tut: Being a Bay Area native, growing up every day in the culture with strong family ties throughout the City, life experiences molded me into the artist I am today. There is so much undeniable talent throughout the City and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
JR Valrey: How has Hunters Point influenced you as a rapper?
Money Tut: Coming from the hard-core streets of San Francisco growing up in the center of drugs, prostitution guns and street violence my music always gave me an outlet to express the truth.
JR Valrey: Who are you inspired by in the rap game? Why?
Money Tut: In my earlier years, artists such as RBL posse, Coug nut and E-40 introduced me to the rap game. I got into my craft. My all-time high favorite was 2Pac because he was real and he was for the people. His music and poetry dominated the world and showed me I can be great as well.
JR Valrey: How could people stay in touch with you online?
Money Tut: You could find me on Instagram: @iam__kingtut, Twitter: @moneytut, YouTube: money tut and all digital platforms.
JR Valrey, journalist, author, filmmaker and founder of Black New World Media, is also the editor in chief of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper. He teaches the Community Journalism class twice a week at the San Francisco Bay View newspaper office.
