3RDegree ( born November 25, 1984; San Bernardino, CA) is a California Rapper/singer/Actor. He is also the cousin of Dania Birks of the legendary Rap Group J.J. Fad.
EARLY YEARS:Being raised between the Inland Empire and San Diego, 3RD began rapping at the age of nine citing the musical influences of 2pac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, N.W.A., and Public Enemy R. KELLY, &MICHEAL JACKSON. As a product of a broken home, 3RD grew up with the rep of an "ANGRY KID", and let his temper get him into trouble between the streets and school. At the urging of family and friends, he found refuge in Music and Acting, and just like the late 2PAC SHAKUR, he began to use his life experiences as material to come up with songs. While Attendinding El Camio High School ( the same high school as Denise Richards; Shaine Smith, and Bryant Westbrook), he earned a Drama scholarship after performing in the play "TO SIR WITH LOVE" as the lead role of MARK THACKERY, played by SYDNEY POITER in the film version.
DISCOVERED:
To hone his skills and to keep out of trouble, 3RD began battle rapping any and everywhere he could. Because of his intense style and his angry look on his face, some friends used to say he looked like he was battling himself. But because of his passion he won over people of all sorts. After a battle which took place in a mall,a producer named STEEL, witnessed a young 3RD win over a huge crowd, that had two elderly white women clapping wildy, STEELE took 3RD and placed him in the studio where he released his first demo/mixtape cd "SAY SOMETHIN" at the age of 17. In the same year 3RD made his professional t.v. debut in LAS VEGAS. Also, because he was passing cd's out out Greyhound stations, train stations and malls, and people in the military, 3RDs music has reached various places across the country.
PRESENT:
On January 15, 2008, 3RDegree appeared on a 2PAC TRIBUTE CD " IN THE SHADOW OF AN ICON" released through THUGLIFE ARMY RECORDS/ FONTANA/ UNIVERSAL, which featured his song " BROKEN HOME. He also has various songs on some up and coming soundtracks. Also due to his Ruthless Records lineage, he has appeared on a Eazy E mixtape " REAL G'Z STAY RUTHLESS" released by EAZY-ECPT.COM with a remix of EAZY'S song " LOVE 4 DEM GANGSTA'Z" called "YOU'Z A GANGSTA".
ACTING/MOVIES/DVDS
3RDegree has appeared in the movie "SEMI PRO" starring Will Ferrell, Andre "3000" Benjamin and Woody Harrelson and "RED BELT" as an extra.
Also in the fall of 2007 3RDegree auditioned for the lead role of BIGGIE SMALLS for the movie NOTORIOUS, but lost to a close call By up and coming rapper Gravey.
3RD has also been involved and will make a small apperance in the upcoming controversial dvd 2PAC: ASSASSINATION 2 by BONDAGE/STEPIN UPFLIMS.
PERFORMANCES:
3RD has done shows with such artists as: TOO SHORT, ICE T, KRAZY BONE, YING YANG TWINS, MIMS, SLY BOOGIE, REGAE LEGEND DON CARLOS, XZIBIT, GUERILLA BLACK and many more.
CHARITY:
December 18th, 2005, 3RDegree lended his services by performing at a HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF concert at VALENCIA COLLEGE, in ORLANDO, FL, and also lends his hands and services, to help underprivelaged kids. Also he waivered his funds he would recieve from the "SHADOW OF AN ICON" cd and donated it to the T.A.S.F.( Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation) PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, and his currently planning a few foundations of his own.
THE MEANING OF THE NAME "3RDegree":
Growing up,Edward Williams 3RD hated his birth name, because he was named after his father, and his father was absent while growing up. He was getting ready to change his last name to his mother's maiden name, until he found out why he was named the 3RD. His late grandfather, told his father to name his unborn son the 3RD, because he wanted the name to carry on, and that the 3RD Edward would be the one to take it to the next level,and become something speacil." So instead of running from the name, he ran to it and embraced it, by dubbing himself "3RDegree", which is a metaphor for "NEXT LEVEL"
Have a fabulous weekend My 3RD:-)))) One Day at a Time It is so hard to take one day at a time when we are stressed, in pain and need the comfort and peace of mind that only tomorrow can bring Please take the sorrow away... take the worries and the woes, replace them with a smile and the feeling of happiness inside Give us strength and patience to get through the day Don't let us make hasty decisions that may bring regret and dismay But give us the hope of tomorrow. the promise of a new dawn, the peace of understanding, the heart of forgiveness, and the love to get us through the day, everyday ... one day at a time!! AMEN! Live each day to its fullest Take each day as it comes Make each day count Today is the memories of tomorrow!!! Smile and the world smiles with you ........
How do you spell Love? When you reach the point.. Where happiness,security, and development of another person, is as much of a driving force to you, as your own happiness, security, and development, then you have a mature Love. True Love is spelled.. G-I-V-E... It is not based on what you receive, but rooted in what you can G-I-V-E to the other person. Hello 3RD, Hope this finds you well and smiling.. Sending you immense Love and Light Always.
