Ray Vaughn: Remember, he’s from Long Beach not L.A

Hip hop culture is embedded across America, thriving in areas enriched with culture and diversity. Hip hop culture has cultivated into an integral music genre of the entertainment industry, boasting innovative music labels. Interscope Records, Def Jam, Death Row, No Limit, and Bad Boys were pioneers in hip hop’s livelihood. Currently, the prominent TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment)record label isn’t done innovating, enter Ray Vaughn.

Last year, TDE announced the signing of Long Beach rapper Ray Vaughn. He actually signed in 2020, nevertheless, behind the scene he honed his craft and awaited his opportunity. A music career seemed evident when watching his YouTube freestyle series. “So I sit in a car and I rap on these beats, but little do they know that this [is] where I sleep.” Ray Vaughn’s lyricism when revealing his gritty reality is displayed throughout his YouTube freestyles and would be one alluring factor of his music.

On August 25, 2021, Ray Vaughn’s EP Peer Pressure accompanied his signing announcement. The three track project works as a preview to his debut album. The songs briefly explore and highlight his music’s captivating qualities. Ray Vaughn’s raps on Top Shottas, “Ayy, the big homie just caught a R.I.C.O., R.I.C.O., ridin' with a Rico, ayy My life is a freak show, I am Carlito, you could be finito, ayy I'm really outside like the Mexicans standin' in front of Home Depot, ayy.” His cadence, humor, and realism is an efficacious formula, the words paint an image.

In addition to TDE’s flagship artist Kendrick Lamar leaving, the attention surrounding TDE is immense, especially regarding Ray Vaughn’s career. After releasing Peer Pressure, he followed the EP with his single 59th and Bethany. The single is an ode to his upbringing and an affirmation of what's ahead. When he’s rapping, “ like old shoes when I step I make souls move,” there’s always room on my playlists for Ray Vaughn. Go ahead and add Ray Vaughn to your library and get hip before the masses, or let your homie claim they put you on; so be it.