We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lowray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lowray, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
I sold a beat for about $20 back in 2017 after recently opening an online beatstore. I was super new to selling beats and posted a simple cover art photo with the song playing in the background and someone I met at a producer’s beat auction saw my post and loved the beat!
Ever since then, I realized I could really make money selling my own music and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Lowray, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Lowray and I’m a producer/DJ/remixer based in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve technically been producing since I was 12 but I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2017.
As far as DJing, I originally started in late 2019 but I just picked it back up in early 2023 after entering (and later winning) a DJ competition called Queen of the Mix ATL.
I primarily specialize in R&B music as a producer and DJ but I do like to branch out and challenge myself musically. I enjoy working with independent artists to create personalized songs and I really want to get involved more with helping them grow their audience and monetize their brand.
One recent gig I am most proud of was being able to open for an event called Red Bull Unlocked which included performances from artists such as Waka Flocka Flame and Big Freedia. It definitely opened my eyes more to the endless possibilities that can come with being a DJ.
My main goal with music is to curate immaculate vibes by producing timeless hits or by playing classic songs that really move a crowd.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best thing you can do for artists is to buy directly from them. Whether they’re selling albums on Bandcamp or selling merch on Shopify, the best thing for artists is for them to get money directly into their pockets.
Streaming is a very important part of the music game now but in many cases, artists do not own the majority of their songs, and therefore, aren’t seeing a lot of money from streaming.
Even outside of music, buying directly from creatives will help them to fund future projects and also help them make a sustainable living from their craft.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative to me is being able to see your art come to fruition. As a producer, it can take years for a song to come out or for you to release your own project. There are so many hours (and dollars) spent to make your art to the point where it is polished and ready to be released to the world..
Being able to share something you hold close and truly value as a creative is such a fulfilling feeling that makes all the hard work worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lowraytheproducer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lowraytheproducer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowraytheproducer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-weems-5561aa154
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LowrayTheProducer
- Other: Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@lowraytheproducer?lang=en
Image Credits
Nonnie Egbuna, Terence Rushin