Interview conducted by Elif Şeyda Doğan

San Diego based rapper Ray Riley builds his work in motion. Moving between albums, EPs, and singles, his releases reflect a shifting rhythm and way of thinking. Open spaces and transitions hold a defining place in his music.

CosmicZion Zine in conversation with Ray Riley on process, pace, and making music in a time that moves this fast.

Ray Riley: “My inspiration comes from life and just being outside living it.”

Listen on Spotify: Ray Riley

Let’s start with Look Like. The fifth time I replayed that intro I decided to reach out to you, and I was genuinely happy when you said yes to my interview offer. That intro feels like a sample but it is also very original. There is a tension in the track; a feeling somewhere between calming and unsettling. Can you walk us through the intro, the beat, the technique and the feeling of Look Like from your perspective?

The intro of this track is what really caught my attention immediatley. Once we took it to the studio, I knew I wanted to approach it from a gritty perspective due to the emotions and energy I was feeling during that time period of my life. I never expected this song to take off the way it has, I am truly thankful for all the love fans have been showing this record.

Before we go further, I’m curious about your background. Where are you from, how did hip-hop enter your life, and when did it become your language? And what are you trying to achieve and work towards with your music right now?

I am originally from San Diego California. I first got introduced to hip hop through my Dad, who was a member of San Diego’s first ever hip hop group in the late 80’s/early 90’s called Legion of Doom. Music was never really at the forefront of my mind growing up, my goal was to be in the NFL. As I got older that dream, or at least what I thought it to be at the time, slowly began to fade away as this new one arrived. It was all God’s timing, and I’m thankful for it. As for what I want to achieve, I want to take this music dream as far as God will allow me to. However that looks, time will tell. I’m just giving it my best foot forward every day, we’ll see where this music thing takes us.

What does your music allow you to express that you couldn’t express otherwise?

Everything. Literally every emotion I deal with internally. I put it all out on the paper. Every thought, insecurity, mental struggle, anxieties, depression, happniess, anger, etc. The list can go on and on. I don’t really speak much about myself in person and in my day to day life. I’m much more of an observer and listener. So when I finally sit down with my pen and paper, I have a place for myself to vent and express how I truly feel. Music is the only way I feel I can express my true inner self, the real me.

“I’d much rather have 1,000 fans who love the real me vs 10,000 who love a fabricated version.”

It feels like you have global aspirations. Do you think there is conflict between staying true to your sound ever conflicts and reaching bigger streaming numbers? Or do you see a way to do both?

I think staying true to who you are is the way to go global. I think when you start to “chase” the trending sound or “chase” what you think people want to hear won’t ever pan out the way you want it to in the end, at least in my opinion. I’d much rather have 1,000 fans who love the real me vs 10,000 who love a fabricated version. I can’t keep up a facade of pretending to be someone I’m not, its alot easier to just be myself and let the chips fall where they may.

What’s been on your radar lately, outside of music?

Outside of music I would probably say TV shows. I just got done watch Mayor of Kingstown, great show. I’ve always had an interest in diving into the acting world someday. I’ve always been intrigued by it and would love to be apart of a film or show at some point.

What do you usually draw from when you’re in a creative headspace, if anything?

Life experiences. Things I’m going through, things I’ve been through, things I’ve seen, things I think about, and everything around me. My inspiration comes from life and just being outside living it. Even though we are all unique and different in our own ways, we also all share the same feelings and emotions in life. This is one of the main reason why I believe my music has continue to translate and grow the way it has up to this point, creating art that people can relate to in one way or another.

Looking at your releases since your first album, it feels like you’ve been dropping more singles lately. Is there a difference between the version of you that makes a project and the one that releases a single?

The biggest difference to me would have to be just understanding and adapting to the environment we are in today. The attention spans of consumers today is extremely short due to social media conditioning (myself included). So I looked at it from the perspective of, if I have 10 songs why would I put them all out at once for people to be off it a week later? Why not take those 10 songs and spread them out month to month, so I am consistantly putting out something new for fans to partake in.

Moving with the pace of the moment

After your 2017 album, you came back with Workin’ II around 2020, and since then your output has been much more consistent, almost every year. There is a real shift here. What was going on for you around that time?

In the beginning stages, I really was just trying to find my footing in a way. Still crafting my own sound and finding myself in this space. Now, I feel like I have acheived that sense of self that I was looking for in this space. So now it’s just a matter of continuing to keep my foot on the gas and keep pushing myself in this space to get better and better.

Rap in Türkiye is really booming right now, with a lot of new sounds and artists coming through. Do you keep an eye on what’s happening here? If not, I might have a few names for you.

I don’t but I would love to get out there at some point! It’s been a goal of mine to go oversees and connect with the fans out there. I need those names I would love to check out their work.

So, is there anything you’d like to say to the audience here and to the CZZ readers?

I love and appreciate every one of you who is supporting and tapping into the music! Can’t thank you all enough, be sure to subscribe to my website for Merch and updates on new drops! Rayrileymusic.com