Edward Seay, 29, known to his friends — and now the cyber world — as Tre Da Kid or Montre Seay, had a rep as the funny guy who always had a rapping rhyme while growing up in Annapolis.

Seay's talents earned him national recognition last weekend when he was selected to be one of seven finalists in a competition to find the best freestyle rapper in the U.S.

The final portion of the national Freestyle 50 Challenge took place Dec. 17 before a crowd of 600 at an Atlanta nightclub. At the end of the night, Seay was declared the winner.

His prizes include a contract with the hip hop label 300 Entertainment, $10,000 and the opportunity to tour with one of 300 Entertainment's recording artists.

—Wendi Winters, Baltimore Sun Media Group