Today we’d like to introduce you to Awesome Ray Ray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started banging on pots and pans in my grandmother’s backyard around three or four years old. I knew then that music was meant to be a part of my life. I joined concert band, symphonic band, jazz band, and all the other bands I could in grade school, including Marching Band. I played in local bands throughout the DC, Maryland, Virginia region.
I went to college for broadcast journalism and TV and Radio, which helped hone my networking and public speaking/performance skills. I was co-front man of a band from Fairfax, Virginia called Escape the Armada. I then joined an awesome rock band, Year of the Locust, based in New York City, and toured nationally with them for a few years. I departed in 2018 to start my solo career as a rapper, singer, and vocalist.
In 2021, I played my first major music festival, and it blew my world away. Standing on that stage with thousands of people cheering, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I’ve released several music videos, done shows throughout the US, and made many friends and fans along the way.
Currently, I’m a percussionist for a band called Saint Diablo, who also tours nationally. As a solo artist, aka Ray Ray, I continue to release music, tour, and recently got nominated for an award for Best Funk Song.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but one that I wouldn’t leave for the world, I believe challenges, and ups and downs (title of my first EP) all player role in building character and making my story relatable to the listener. Some of the biggest struggle starting out, and even today are balancing a music and entertainment career with everyday life and also a professional work career. I believe it is possible, heck I’ve seen it done. But navigating it all, especially as a solo artist independently is definitely hard, but I’m thankful for the love and support of friends, family fans, and honestly complete strangers who just rock with me and believe in me that means the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a solo, independent multi genre recording artist I sing I rap and I also play drums and produce. My specialty is just being a dude that’s in love with the music and sharing that story rather it be online social media or live shows. What sets me apart is that I don’t just stick to one mold or one type of music. I have songs from rap and hip-hop to blues to pop to EDM to Southern rock and even country while making sure that that all stays organic and not a gimmick.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Positivity and being an inspiration, even when it’s hard sometimes to inspire yourself, sometimes the best healing is helping somebody else heal
Contact Info:
- Website: https://popl.co/card/CDo5qTZr/1/s
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awesomeraymusic/
- Facebook: Awesome Ray Ray
- Twitter: https://x.com/Awesome_rayray/status/1815742810936443134
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/user/awesomeraymusic
