We recently connected with Richie Ray and have shared our conversation below.

Richie , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’ve been taking risk for as long as I can remember. When i was 18 i packed my stuff and moved all the way from Detroit to California (Bay Area) for 2 1/2 years to chase my creative/entrepreneur endeavors. I had $800 to my name, enrolled in fashion school to study product development to gain the necessary skills to build my fashion brand called, Seuleur. Finally built my skills and myself up to launch my business in 2021 after dropping out of school. I developed relationships with manufacturers and designers to mass produce clothing to sell to customers all across the world. In the midst of that process, I starting making music being amongst my other friends who were artist. I was encouraged by my friends who rap because they said I had the sound, flow, and charisma to become a dope artist. My passion and love for music has always been in me, I just never knew how to monetize it. I used to write raps over instrumentals as a kid on my free time but put it down because I didn’t think it was a realistic path to take, until streaming and being independent artist was profitable and something that was attainable through consistency and hard work. I took a pause on selling clothes for Seuleur to learn more about the craft of being an artist. That included being in the studio, actually recording over a mic, pro tools etc. Prior to 2021 I had never recorded a single song, it was all foreign to me but it came natural to me the more I went to the studio and recorded. I locked in and immediately starting working on a debut mixtape called “Long Way from Home” highlighting the events that transpired in my life at the time. I recorded that tape after I moved to LA and it took me about 4 months to do so. While I was recording that tape I had a chance to link with other dope artist in the studio; like Bandgang Masoe, Biggs, & Lonnie. Being in the presence of other dope artist who paved a way for Detroit artist and seeing how they were some of the original artist from Detroit to bridge that gap between the city and California, was very inspirational and assured me I was on the right path. I took another risk to move back to my hometown of Detroit to promote “Long Way From Home”. I end up linking up with my older cousin who influenced me to move to California, to go a promo run for my mixtape. He owns a event space in cork town Detroit, where I threw a release party for my new mixtape. Through out that summer of 2022 I hosted multiple events hosting open mic nights and night parties to promote the tape and the celebration of me returning back to my hometown. Since then I’ve been recording & collaborating with other upcoming artist in the city such as Shaudy Kash, Scoob & Sydney, Dr. Da Rula, Sal B., DMSL Mani, 2ski, & Joddie Jo. Even got a chance to work with dope producers such as Bt. Dave, JuBeatz, ByeKyle, 3, and many other producers, all on my newest full 15 song tape called “Sully” set to release in February of 2023.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Got into fashion/music after moving to California to study design and the arts. I created a luxury streetwear brand label called Seuleur. All fabrics are sourced, cut and sewn. I have established relationships with manufacturers around the world to mass produce quality clothing for men & women. Seuleur’s mission statement is to inspire individuality and get people to create their own path to success no matter what it looks like. In my music I reflect on creating my own path by telling my authentic story of my failures and success that led me here where I am in life right now. The focus of Seuleur is to build a brand all in house. I want my fans of my music and clothing to understand that I am exemplifying what it means to hustle hard and create your own way to your bag.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Putting my soul, authenticity, and time into something that I care about so much to see the result of it. The feeling of freedom when I’m creating. When I’m in the studio recording or putting together mood board and concepts for my brand, I lose myself. I tell my story the good and the bad no matter how it’s perceived. Giving people a insight about me through my art cause I’ve felt so misunderstood my whole life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Constantly, the way life moves you gotta always be ready for stuff to change up and switch on you. People change up on you when you start to do what’s best for you or chasing something that don’t understand. Every time I moved to a different state/city I had to start over, but i started over with more knowledge and experience. The biggest adjustment I had to make in my journey was losing my grandad, he was the Godfather of Detroit and played a very important role in my life as well as many others around the city of Detroit. Losing my grandad was losing the backbone of my family cause he was the glue of it all. I felt like I had to completely restructure my life because he was like a father figure to me more than a grandad.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richierayy3
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCYj3cY0xRY9q__L-4FBeepA
• Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/richie-ray/1622035712

Image Credits
Telly Visuals @5500rylo