A QUICK CHAT WITH RIDZYRAY

First up, can you please give us a quick intro, 2-3 sentences.

Hey what’s doing, im Ridzyray I’m a rapper from Wemba-Wemba up on the Malle Northern Vic, currently living in Geelong on (Watharong) Country. I make beats and write songs and if I’m not doing that I’m pretty much doing the best I can just to appreciate and enjoy life aye.

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘Keep Ya Head Up’?

To be honest, the song was made as a bit of a reminder to me to keep a positive attitude in this crazy world, keep focused on the things I have, how much I’ve grown and be proud of how far I’ve come and the things I’ve achieved, and I gave a nice shout out to pretty much all the fams at the end there. 

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting? 

Bob Marley was definitely one of the first artists that I fell in love with so I think his mindset and outlook towards life have rubbed off onto me, with the good vibes and all that, I do love most hip-hop but Ye, Lil Wayne and Eminem would have been the first to really spark my brain and getting me to start writing raps. 

What’s the creative process like for you?

I couldn’t really tell ya aye,  it kinda just happens is like im either staring blankly into the abyss or im hyper focused and i'm smashing it out without any real thought to it, not that im aware of anyways is usually just off of feeling in terms of making music. Sometimes ill hear someone say something or remember a phrase i heard somewhere that i liked and i'll write it down and then just go from there..  

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be? 

I don't really understand it well enough to be speaking on it i don't reckon, i would like to see more opportunities for artists more inclusion and more funding and pathways to help creatives on the grassroots level to really pursue their ideas to the fullest.

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet? 

I don’t think id be here and if i was id be depressed at a job all day or night and fully addicted to some form of unhealthy coping mechanism. 

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with? why?

Internationally id say Kanye coz it’d be insane! Loyle Carner too he’s dope lil Simz is unreal as well. At home I'd say all the mob making music. Cant beat that. 

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

don't overthink and stress about things that are out of your control, do it because you love it and it makes you happy and don’t be afraid to just make the music that you like, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks as long as ya happy.   

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met? 

I think all creatives are pretty damn interesting but the one who takes the cake for me would have to be Mr.Congo id love to have access to his thoughts for a day to just observe the inner workings of his mind aye. He’s a living legend.

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

There's been talks about the possibility of doing something, I try not to force anything so if it's meant to be all the pieces fall into place and it’ll all happen. In the meantime imma just take life as it comes and try to stay present as much as possible. The Weather is getting good but, who be booking all the festivals n that? Hit up Ben at Premier Artists to book a brother that’d be MAAAAAD.