Another slice of New Noise to infiltrate your week courtesy of Atlanta’s Raury.
When we hear that an emerging artists is being spoken in the same vain as King Krule or Chance The Rapper then our ears are instantly pricked.
Meet Raury, the 17 year old Atlanta rapper / singer / producer who has just released one of the most polished visuals of this year, thus far. He’s a definite ‘One to Watch’ for the forthcoming year and he kindly sat down to answer a plethora of our questions. Here we go…
You seem very mature for your 17 years. When did you fall in love with music?
I’ve been messing around with music since before I knew what it was. I wrote a couple of songs when I was 3, some raps at 8. I figured music was my path in life around the age of 14 when I was a 9th grader at Tucker High School in Atlanta.
You’re very style-savvy. What’s the inspiration behind your image?
I’ve always had an eye for what was cool. I’d blatantly steer my wardrobe away from what everyone was wearing. I like to wear things that are pushing the envelope, bold and risky… something that I know some people are not going to like. I spent a lot of my childhood at camp, so the sunhat has always been a part of me. I’ve never been a person who studied and followed fashion to the T.
What are your thoughts on Social Media and it’s powerful influence over the music industry?
I believe social media has become the most powerful tool in the industry.
What is your favourite digital platform -Do you use Instagram / Twitter…etc?
Instagram- I probably get in 10,000 selfies a month, to be honest…
What were the last three tracks you listened to?
‘Lemonhope song’ – Adventure Time
‘Creepers’- Kid Cudi
‘Blow’- Tyler the creator
Who are you really championing at the moment? Any new artists we’re yet to discover?
I love Marian Mereba’s music . She’s another Atlanta creative that I feel the world should know about. I stumbled across her music in the middle of working on my Indigo Child album 6 months ago and she inspired me to make a better album. Her sound was so together and it captured me. I wanted to do that for my fans also. Check her out at – marianmereba.com
Who have been your biggest musical inspirations when creating your sound?
Sade, System of a Down, Andre300, Jack White, Phil Collins, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver, Coldplay, James Blake and Jimi Hendrix are people that inspire me musically
If you could collaborate with any other artist, who would be your ideal choice?
I’d love to collaborate with Lorde or King Krule- I just love those guys.
Tell us more about your track ‘God’s Whisper’?
God’s Whisper was one of my first songs written out of sheer anger and fury. My desire to rise above everything that looks down upon me and obliterate that shit. That very feeling that inspired the “I won’t compromise” at the beginning of the song.
What can we expect from ‘Indigo Child’ and will you be playing any London shows this summer?
Expect to be overwhelmed by the album and when I’m coming to London You will most definitely know.
Words: Shane Hawkins