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| Hip Hop Interviews Get all the latest interviews here from any Hip Hop icon. |
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#1 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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Here it is, 50's on his new album. Check this link a song & pic of him.
R&B music has always been at the forefront of the music industry since the early 60’s. Even as it has transformed into plateaus no one ever imagined, talent cannot be denied. HHDX sits down with Ray L, the newest addition to Akon’s Konvict imprint, as he gets prepared to release his debut album, on a long road to the top. HHDX: What’s good Ray? Ray-L: Everything good pimp HHDX: How did you first get into music? Ray-L: To me music is a life. Music gets us through the day when we’re at work or just cleaning up around the house. Life without music would be like a movie with no sound. That movie would suck! I became interested in music at the tender age of 8. At the time, there was groups like Ready for the World, New Edition & Troop! But out of them all, Michael Jackson made me want to be the next R&B/Pop star! So my dad moved us to Atlanta to pursue my dream. We knew I couldn’t do it in Monroe, Louisiana because there was just no big musical people to help me get to the promise land. When I got to Atlanta, it wasn’t a walk in the park because there was so much talent here. So I entered a talent show to showcase my talent. A guy by the name of Andrew Bryan noticed me, while singing one day with this local group and signed me up! That day my music career began. HHDX: You are a native of Atlanta, GA. So growing up, who influenced you musically? Ray-L: I was born in Monroe, Louisiana but I was raised in Atlanta. Growing up in Atlanta, I couldn’t help but to like the artists that lived here because they were so huge in the music industry. Artists like Babyface, Bobby Brown, TLC, Monica and Usher. These people are still icons today so I had reason to look up to them. HHDX: At what point did you decide that you wanted to pursue music on a professional basis? Ray-L: Okay, I was always singing around my high school and recording songs in studios, but when I heard R. Kelly’s first album, that’s when I knew I wanted to do this professionally. He was singing about the things I wanted to sing about! I knew then, that I was gonna do music professionally. HHDX: How did you hook up with Akon and eventually sign to Konvict? Ray-L: It all started when my father passed away (God bless his soul). I moved to Cobb County, which is a small city out in Georgia. I started going to a new high school, I met new people, blah blah blah…I really wasn’t focusing on nothing because I was so hurt with my fathers death. That’s when I met a guy by the name of Jessie. He could sing his ass off so of course we hit it off big because I love good talent. We started a group but the only thing that was missing was the music. So while searching for a producer, Jessie called me and said “Ray, I found someone! He’s African but he’s hot!!!” I said to myself, “Africans produce music?” So, long story short, that African producer went by the name of Akon! Akon loved my sound and eventually made me go solo because of group differences and took me straight to Interscope records. HHDX: How would you describe or define the style of music that you make? Ray-L: Sexy, reality music with street appeal. I hold nothing back. If its to be said, I will say it and let my edit man clean up what needs to be cleaned up. I’m a realist and I love being romantic with my significant other. So if you’re trying to wind down with your girl and get the mood all sexy…you might want to go get my CD. HHDX: Have you titled your forthcoming debut yet? If so, what does the name of your album represent? Ray-L: The name of the album is called X-Rated. The reason being is, like is I said, the lyrical content of my album can get a little sexual because I’m not afraid to take you there with my music. I can get a little “X-Rated” at times. HHDX: Now as you sit down to pen your lyrics, where do you draw your inspiration from? Ray-L: I honestly draw all of my inspiration from real life experiences. If it’s a love song, I think about someone I love. If it’s a happy song, I think about whomever or whatever makes me happy. My thought process whenever I’m writing a song is incredible to watch. I’m so focused man. HHDX: Who did you work with, as far as production? How involved were you in the whole creative musical process? Ray-L: I’m totally involved in the creative music department. I have to be because it’s my life we’re talking about, and no one knows my life better than I do. I worked with a lot of new producers. I wasn’t caught up in the hype of named producers. Let’s see, Jason Scott, Lil Ronnie, Sean Hall, Hakeem from Da Boyz, Oak, Sean Garrett, and the man with the African Plan…Akon! HHDX: Who do you got featured on the album? Ray-L: We got Fabolous, 50 Cent, R. Kelly and the man with the African plan, Akon! HHDX: Let's discuss longevity in this business of music -- What do you feel has been, and will continue to be, the key to your success? And, what will keep you moving forward in this grueling industry? Ray-L: Just great music and staying loyal to the fans. We fall short sometimes and forget who puts is on top of the charts. I will always remember to put God first and keep giving you beautiful music to dance to. “Cuz I know what’chu like” KONVICT!! HHDX: Do you have any other aspirations, maybe even outside of music altogether? Ray-L: I want to produce films and act! I can't wait to be on the big screen, making people laugh and cry. I also want to have my own clothing line and BBQ restaurant! I can cook too homie! HHDX: How do you feel about the current state of R&B? Ray-L: Everyone’s saying R&B is dead, no it’s not. We have wonderful R&B artists out. I understand where that is coming from. If they’re saying its more hip-hop than R&B on the radio right now, then that’s a true statement, but R&B is very much still here and alive. HHDX: Anything about Ray L that you would like people to know that they wouldn’t grasp from just listening to your music? Ray-L: That I worked very hard to get to where I am at this stage in my life. I know you see all these diamonds on my wrist and neck, houses, cars, and all this money, but it wasn’t always this way. I lost friends and loved ones on the way to the top. This was not easy for me, but I’m still here standing doing what I love to do…..music HHDX: What can people find you doing in your spare time completely away from the music? Ray-L: Playing basketball, fishing, and watching DVD’s with my family and friends. Oh yeah, shopping baby! HHDX: I know you’re about to embark on your musical career, but so far, whats been your career highlight? Ray-L: Performing on the Gwen Stefani tour with Akon! It was freaking amazing man! 35,000 people dancing to my song! HHDX: Where do you see yourself, 5 or even 10 years from now? Ray-L: Running my own record company successfully and producing major motion movies. Making other up and coming artists’ dreams come true. HHDX: As for the immediate future what's next for you? Has a single and/or video been chosen yet? Do you have a release date set? Ray-L: No release date yet, but my first video is this month for “Donkey Kong” and I’m so excited!! HHDX: At this point, are there any plans to take the Ray-L show out on the road anytime soon? Ray-L: Well right now I’m doing dates with Akon on the road, but my promotional tour is coming up very soon!! Late summer I should be very busy. HHDX: For someone who hasn't experienced you live, what would you tell them can be expected at one of your shows? Ray-L: A lot of sexy talk and body movement. Ladies, leave your man at home because my show is catered to you. And if you’re sitting anywhere near the front, you may need to bring an extra pair of panties. (laughs) HHDX: Any last words? Ray-L: Thank you to those that have been supporting me from day one. I love you so dearly and I won’t let you down. We got a long ride, so I hope you’re ready for me everybody. Thank you and I love you. Akon, you saved my life homie!!! And I’m gonna still pay you that money I owe you (laughs). You know I’m good for it! hit props |
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| The Following 19 Users Repped to Drizzy For This Useful Post: | 26shotz (07-01-2007), Rhyme™ (07-06-2007), TouchDown (07-12-2007), g-unitbrooklynsoulja (07-01-2007), kevin413 (06-30-2007), keenen (06-30-2007), leb (07-01-2007), GangstaMusik (07-01-2007), MakaveIi (07-01-2007), MoneyMaker (07-01-2007), Ms. Coffey123 (06-30-2007), NkGuerrilla187 (06-30-2007), Seatown (06-30-2007), SlickJeezi (06-30-2007), Smitty Pt3 (06-30-2007), YUNG STIXX (07-01-2007), supermanrb02 (11-20-2007), youngthuggerctb (07-01-2007), ~laydee-tease~ (06-30-2007) |
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#2 |
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*$* Fa Def Doe *$*
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Da BoOth
Posts: 193
Repped: 3
Repped 3 Times in 3 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts
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fabolous verse is fire....and i can see ray-l doing well, seeing he wid akon's label. Cuz that nigga can make platinum out of nuttin
Props |
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#3 |
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G_unit_soldier_Chang
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 9,469
Repped: 15
Repped 49 Times in 8 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts
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Props on this
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#4 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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ya'll both say "props" but ain't hit it.
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#5 |
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g'z up
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 84
Repped: 30
Repped 7 Times in 2 Posts
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Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts
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props for this
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#6 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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#7 |
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Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,048
Repped: 281
Repped 59 Times in 19 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 6 Times in 6 Posts
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that is a good label to sign wit for R&B artist T-Pain doin well
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#8 |
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Veteran
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sea-Town
Posts: 2,161
Repped: 715
Repped 49 Times in 35 Posts
Neg Reps: 21
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 4 Posts
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propz.........
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#9 |
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Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,234
Repped: 432
Repped 267 Times in 29 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post
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propz...........
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#10 |
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Macaroni wit the Cheeesse
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Wash Heights, NYC
Posts: 17,607
Repped: 6,779
Repped 2,309 Times in 618 Posts
Neg Reps: 202
Neg Repped at 50 Times in 40 Posts
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ok................
__________________
![]() myspace.com/bummydavis - soundclick.com/gmnproductions "The name on my car insurance is YOUR FUKIN FAULT!!" |
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#11 |
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norris-unot
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dirty South
Posts: 1,051
Repped: 447
Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post
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aint ray-l tha guy who tries to sound like t-pain with tha voicebox, oh well, propz on news
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#12 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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#13 |
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I love 50 and Banks!
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 5,742
Repped: 3,111
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I wonder if he's the new r&b artist that was on tour with 50 last month when 50 went on tour out of the country.
__________________
" Yall are life sized pawns, this is chess not checkers". - 50 Cent |
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#14 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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#15 |
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YAYO'S ADVOCATE/HYPE MAN
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: FIND ME IN YA CRIB WIT DA NINA WHERE DA MONEY AT
Posts: 18,199
Repped: 3,566
Repped 21,972 Times in 2,200 Posts
Neg Reps: 58
Neg Repped at 51 Times in 45 Posts
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gud 4 him.
__________________
"I'M A LOUDMOUTH NIGGA BUT MY RUGER SILENT" -TONY YAYO A.K.A TALK OF NEW YORK "ALL YAYO ENEMYS ARE ALL OF MY ENEMYS" - MC B STREETZ A.K.A YAYO'S NINJA
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#16 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PeG CitY
Posts: 109
Repped: 67
Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts
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props on this
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#17 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 200
Repped: 1
Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts
Neg Reps: 0
Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts
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i hope he does some work and achieve something
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#18 |
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Providence
Posts: 3,548
Repped: 883
Repped 565 Times in 173 Posts
Neg Reps: 37
Neg Repped at 69 Times in 46 Posts
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Good read man thanks
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#19 |
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Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,231
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Neg Reps: 1
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props good read he should blow up
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#20 |
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MTL PIMP
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 462
Repped: 64
Repped 55 Times in 15 Posts
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WTF ....i always thought the song "My Girl got a Girlfriend" was from T-Pain
He sounds tooooo much like T-pain |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 507
Repped: 183
Repped 29 Times in 4 Posts
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Propss ...
__________________
Fuck livin positive, cause negativity spreads faster - Lloyd Banks |
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#22 |
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R.I.P DRO
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ON 166TH
Posts: 3,900
Repped: 411
Repped 1,295 Times in 404 Posts
Neg Reps: 63
Neg Repped at 129 Times in 86 Posts
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Anybody Got That Rayjay Sex Tape?
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#23 |
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aKa dRiZz
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 3,844
Repped: 609
Repped 1,674 Times in 252 Posts
Neg Reps: 1
Neg Repped at 7 Times in 5 Posts
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