We had the pleasure to sit down with an up coming name in the game, Tray Shawn. He talks about his new distribution deal, the future and his inspiration. Tray Shawn earned stripes and has been named to the official NowHipHop.com Freshman class of 2019! Check out his bio and the full interview below.
BIOGRAPHY Born in 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts, Tray Shawn resides outside of the Boston area in a geographical region called South Shore, Irish Riviera otherwise known as South Shore. He embarked on his musical career as he started writing lyrics in his 5th grade classroom in middle school.
He struggled as a student in high school by getting suspended, detentions, as well as having to depart ways from his high school due to an altercation with another student resulting in his transferring arrival to a different public school one town over.
Tray Shawn wasn’t the brightest kid when it came to the assigned school curriculum based on his determination and willingness as a student. Music was the only thing that he really liked and took initiative to pursue. His goals are simple as far as a rising star. He thrives off being the best to his ability.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about yourupbringing/experiences as a youth?
I was born in Boston, but I grew up in South Shore, Massachusetts. I struggled getting credibility as an artist when I began making music. I’ve been everywhere from doubted, criticized, and attacked due to my music. I use to work with a producer in a town a moved to. His dad owned a recording studio in a loft. I always use to show up at his crib after school and we’d just cease the day drinking alcohol or recording music. I departed ways from working with him due to lack of work we’ve accomplished since the point of time we’ve met and me graduating high school.
In 2018, I inked a 12 month recording agreement with Sonorous Records. They are distributed through FONTA Distribution as well as Universal Music Group. I only agreed to signing the agreement because I figured with the lack of exposure I was getting, I figured that collaborating with a Universal Music Group distributed record company that I would have a better impression to talent seekers that are scouting upcoming artists.
I’ve recorded two singles under my contract with the company that consisted of titled songs; “Cruise Control” in which I shot a music video to along with “No Days Off”, which can be found on my debut “CAREER SUICIDE EP”. The term of my contract with Sonorous Records will end in April of this year. I appreciate all that the company has done for me.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
My biggest influence in the music in my earlier years were very inspiring. I grew up listening to old school Hip Hop such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, and Gangstarr. I never discriminated against any music genre, I just knew that I really liked music and the feeling it gave me.
When I started recording music my goal was aimed towards impacting the masses of New England through my music and making sure I got noticed by my region.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
My greatest influencers in the music industry are Lil Wayne, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West. If I could collaborate with any artist it would probably be Meek Mill. I really enjoy the music that Meek brings to the music industry and I like his delivery.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
In my opinion, I believe the state that mainstream Hip Hop is in would be specified not as bad, but it’s just seems scarce for a New England artist. That’s just what I think it’s missing.Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about? My upcoming projects is just 16 untitled singles I plan on exploiting to record labels and possibly a music video. I’m very pleased with the connections I’ve been making over this past year and plan on expanding them.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
My goals for the next 6-10 months are to record all of my composed material I’ve got in my iPhone and hope that they reach the right place.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years? My goals for the next 2-5 years is to sign a major record deal hopefully with Universal. I also wish to perform at venues across the United States, New England, London. I really want to do a tour in Ireland and London.If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be andwhy?
If I had one song to present to somebody it would most likely be my latest track called “Heat In The Moment” which can be found on my Sound Cloud account. The song just possesses a better form of delivery than what little tracks I’ve have previously released. To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tellthem to entice them to be a supporter?
I’ve dealt with criticism and have been told to stop rapping before I even deliver. I’m just give my all.If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be? In five words to describe my music without sounding obsessed with myself I would say: Original, Versatile, Different, Compelling, and Awakening.What do you bring to the game that is unique and different? What I bring musically is character with a bit of my personality.To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you givethem to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey? My only advice to upcoming artists of any genre that’s trying to make it in the music world is to be a the best consumer you can possibly be and pay close attention to detail so that when you finally get the chance to present your music to your fan base, you’ll already have experience and be well aware of what I’ve been through.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?You can find me on all social media platforms by searching “yungscarlet617” and my music is available on all streaming service providers as well as Sound Cloud. Just look me up .. 😉
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
I don’t have any words for the ones that have left me out. I’ve moved on. All the words I could ever express to anyone that’s ever rejected me or ever doubted me can on my debut mixtape; “Career Suicide”.