We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hope Raney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hope below.
Hi Hope, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
In my life, risk taking has always been the general theme. Not just any risk though, calculated risk that is propelled and fueled by my dreams and visions. Ever since I was a little girl I have been taking the risk of bearing my art, soul, and talent with the world in hopes that one day it will connect with people on a larger scale. I have been very Blessed and supported in my journey by my family and my friends, but at times, the risks that had to be taken were up to me and me only. I went to Berklee College of Music and then took the risk of moving to Los Angeles in 2011 and it was the best decision of my younger years. I jumped into it scared, hopeful, and ready for whatever came with that risk. It has been a path of ups and downs, but ultimately has lead me to the successful career I have today. Things really went into high gear in 2014 when I was faced with the responsibility of becoming an unexpected single mother at 25. With the support of my family and friends, I rose to this challenge and then took the risk of still pursuing my career as a songwriter and artist with a small baby. This risk paid off again when I received my first opportunity to compose music for television which has now turned into a 9 year sync licensing career! My biggest advice to other creatives is to always take the risk of betting on yourself and believing in your abilities and your dreams no matter what!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hope Raney is an 8x platinum songwriter and recording artist. Her songs have been featured in numerous television shows and movies over the last 9 years; recently, in the soundtrack to the 2022 Netflix #1 trending film “End Of The Road” starring Queen Latifah and Ludacris. Hope is also a voice actress formerly signed to 90210 Talent (2020-2021). Hope’s songwriting work for Universal Music Group Finland artist Evelina and many other recording artists has amassed her millions of records sold all over the world. As an artist, Hope has also worked with notable artists such as Nipsey Hussle, Payroll Giovanni, and more. Hope Raney has released her official singles “I Don’t Belong”, “Denial”, “Pop Pop Pop”, “Crucial” and “UN-TIED”, and she continues to build anticipation for her debut album coming soon!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Ever since I was a child, I have always believed that my role in this life is to heal and help others. I discovered music at an early age and quickly realized this was the perfect vehicle to reach people and effect them. I learned the piano in elementary school and how to write and compose my own music about the feelings I had and the things I was going through. I always believed that I would one day have the opportunity to share that music with millions of other people around the world. I was blessed that my family provided me the opportunity to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA and hone the skills I needed as a professional musician and creative. I then used these skills to make connections and begin my journey of reaching and inspiring others through song. My first song to reach millions of people was for an artist named “Evelina” on her 2015 debut album “24k” released by Universal Music Group. Ever since, my songs have been in television and film and performed by other artists; creating the soundscapes for media we all know and love and consume. I am forever grateful for this opportunity to create the music that people make memories to. I will continue to create the best and most powerful art possible and continue to put that energy of hope and love back out into the world!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The biggest lesson I had to unlearn, and the lesson I think a lot of music creatives will face and have a hard time with is the notion that someone is coming to “save” you or whisk you away into superstardom. Before the advances of technology, there was a different aspect of the entertainment industry that appeared to be an illusion that highly successful people curated someones success step by step. The record labels signed and paid for artists to be developed and marketed to the world and artists were delivered to the public on a massive scale. I believe this created the illusion for recording artists that someone will “discover” you and make it all happen for you. I used to believe that being “discovered” would fix everything, until you realize you are better off waiting for lightning to strike or to win the Powerball rather than for some record label or executive to come along and offer you everything you’ve ever dreamed of. My freedom and power and success has all come from me taking things into my own hands and taking the risks. Making connections with people in a helpful manner, and providing something useful to them will get you a lot farther than coming with your hand out expecting something just because you have a talent. Now, more than ever, it is necessary for artists to create their own world that others want to come to and be a part of. I want more artists to ask themselves, what can I offer? What wisdom can I share with others? What message am I spreading? What service am I providing? If you follow these questions as a roadmap, I believe thats when an artist creates their fanbase and community and then begins to achieve their wildest dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/hoperaneyrain
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoperaneyrain/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoperaneyrain/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoperaney/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hoperaneyrain
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdegc8cHnM7uaJq2fudL1lg
Image Credits
Photos By Xena Peterson