soundintheurl: 

Captain Ray - Virginia Is For Lovers

_{"Virginia Is For Lovers" is the debut single & music video from an new recording artist and urlien Captain Ray.}

In "Virginia Is For Lovers," Captain Ray shows his genuine connection to his influences and inspirations. He pays homage to D'Angelo with an interpolation from the song "Brown Sugar",incorporates the Virginia slogan, and raps over beats reminiscent of The Neptunes. Captain Ray acknowledges D'Angelo's album Voodoo as the pinnacle of Virginia's musical legacy.

"When it comes to setting the standard in VA, Missy Elliott and P are my competition, and 'Voodoo' is the album I aim to emulate. It embodies that soulful essence, that you can only get from the church AKA where the best musicians are born."

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Captain Ray shared his experience growing up immersed in music and raised by a music-oriented family. His musical journey began at church, where he learned to play the drums by ear as a kid. After church, Captain Ray researched music and continued falling in love with different sounds including Rock, early Funk, Disco, Motown R&B/Soul, Techno, House, UK Garage, and Hip Hop.  At an early age, he recognized his ear for music and the allure of being in the limelight.

"As a child, I couldn't articulate it, but entertaining people was always my driving force."



“Something still is in the water. It's hard to put into words how deeply proud I am of my roots here. The current state of VA doesn't fully capture or stay true to the essence of our beginnings. Everyone is just copying whatever is the current trend and sound muscially.  The Neptunes, Pharrell, and Timbaland crafted our sound, Missy Elliott embodied the charisma and uniqueness inherent to Virginia, D’Angelo represented the southern soul, and Clipse delivered that grit that told us we from Virginia where it aint shit to do but cook. Sure, they’re artists from the state making noise, but I aspire to cover all facets. From icons like Prince, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, and Kanye West to boundary-pushers like David Bowie, and now, even Frank Ocean. Make me the Creative Director of this place, long story short.”



“Virginia Is For Lovers” marks the start of Captain Ray's journey as a musical artist, but it’s merely the tip of the iceberg. "Ray's Anatomy" consists of a multitude of projects within Captain Ray's persona, which will soon be shared with the world. The projects invite others into Captain Ray’s creative world while showcasing who he really is. Fresh from a heavn by Marc Jacobs shoot, he candidly shares his innermost thoughts:

"I embody everything because I encompass everything, I’m a humanitarian *laughs*, an astute observer, an artist, and above all, a student. My aspiration is to transcend as the foremost and most pioneering popstar of this era or die trying. 'Ray's Anatomy' is a pitch to the music industry that there exists a star, a beacon of freshness, capable of everything in this shit. Everything appears at a standstill. Music is stagnant and people are itching for a superstar. We done got to a point where people are developing severe Drake fatigue.”

Captain Ray continues describing his passion for stardom:

“I'm not merely here to revolutionize pop music, I aim to elevate vibrations across all fields. This is just my truth I can’t hide it. It was always in me from the start being that only child and creating my own universe in my room and the living room. Creating my own shows, performing and dancing in the house, making characters and series and writing episodes with my toys. I was obessed with having a camera infront of me or being the center of attention, treating school like some kind of stand up comedic show to perform in every class, and discovering the internet and online gaming. I’ve always been madeintheurl.  My mission? To rescue everyone from the clutches of boredom. Who the fuck else going to step up. Niggas don’t care no more and everyone waiting on leaders.”

︎

  Directed by: Captain Ray & stephenshadrachh

Edited by: stephenshadrach

Videographer: stephenshadrachh & Adrian Ramos

Photography: daeshonlawson

Typography: asphrodite & Captain Ray

Virginia Is For Lovers is out now on all platforms

madeintheurl 2024