Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray DeeZy.
Hi Ray, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started making music when I was 13, I was always surrounded by music being raised in the church, my grandmother was a lead in the choir and my uncles played for the church band. The gospel influences can be heard in a lot of sample beats I make as well. As I grew up, I started paying attention to hip-hop, growing up in the 90’s it was inevitable. I started out writing poetry and in no time that turned into me writing rap songs to the simple beats, I would play from my Casio keyboard. That later turned into me writing and producing my own music teaching myself how to make my own beats. Growing up in Goose Creek, SC I got exposed to a lot at an early age seeing as I dropped out of high school in 10th grade and I’ve basically been on my own since then just figuring out life and all of its unexpectedness. I felt like music was my only way of truly expressing myself about how I felt at times and how I’m feeling now. Nostalgia plays a big part in my style of rap, I’m always revisiting my childhood through song in some kind of way, from the funny metaphors to the crazy song titles. Most rappers were influenced by the rap artist they grew up listening to but my influence comes from many different genres and different eras in music. I love PRINCE, I love STEVIE WONDER, SADE, ANITA BAKER MILES DAVIS. I could go on and on, I’m currently working on a project that isn’t just a rap album but more so contemporary r&b, folk, trap, and a whole lotta FUNK. That should be out by the summer, just taking my time. I feel like my projects are mood boards, like an audio photo dump of content. I use to stress myself about “being famous” or being a “household name” when all that matters is the music, and the genuine vibes. I may not reach a billion people yet but I know the few that I have reached got a lot of love for me and I’m extremely grateful for that. I never wanted to be that artist that labeled themselves to one topic/issue, that’s how people get boxed in and bullied into making the same style of music. I make it my mission to make mood music, the type of stuff you can throw on anytime no matter what you going through or what you feeling.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s never easy when you’re an independent artist doing it all on your own. One of the many struggles as a up and coming musician is remaining positive at all times. There’s always going to be that feeling of “is anyone paying attention” or “is anyone really listening”. Those moments don’t last long and it usually just inspires me to make more music.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well outside of being a musician I’m also a full-time music producer, I’m known for my soul sample vintage boom-bap jazz sound. The retro hip hop production sets me apart from others in my city because it’s not necessarily a preferred sound it usually has to grow on people but I think I created a lane where people enjoy when I do it.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is rushing home from school every day to watch my favorite rappers freestyle in the booth on B.E.T’s rap-city in the basement. It was a memorable time in hip hop and it was just so exciting to see growing up in the golden era of rap. It also helped me perfect my craft.
Pricing:
- Performance fee: $5000
- Soul Beats: $250 (all samples cleared)
- Graphic design: $500 (album art, logo, erotic art)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RayDeezy.com
- Instagram: @ray_deezy_
Image Credits
@NewMoonVisuals
