Issue 002: Cover Story With Victor Ray

“The reason I fell in love with music in the first place is because it unlocked emotion in me and made me feel seen in a lot of ways in the songs I connected with in a deep, spiritual way. So whenever I make songs but especially when performing, I really try to get the stories through and have people understand where it's coming from.”

He touches on the emotional vulnerability in his music, expressing the importance of honesty and translating their personal experiences and challenges through art. Whether he’s performing at intimate busking sessions or on stadium stages, Ray’s music is deeply personal, often resonating with listeners on a profound emotional level. 

Victor Ray embodies the ethos of perseverance, self-discovery, and a passion for making meaningful connections through music. His message is clear: every voice matters.

Victor Ray is a name that has been steadily rising in the UK music scene, from growing up in Newcastle to relocating to the creative hub that is London, Ray’s career beautifully evolved as a celebrated singer-songwriter with sold-out shows after his street performances gained online traction, drawing in fans globally with his soulful voice and raw storytelling. 

Speaking with Victor before he kicks off his I Am. tour, he dives deep into his creative process, personal branding and partnering with the esteemed Walé Adeyemi. Victor gets candid with BLK Brit about his journey, artistic vision, and the significance of authenticity as an artist.

coat DAILY PAPER, overshirt SANDRO, hoodie VANS, trousers ALL SAINTS, trainers NIKE, bracelet GIOVANNI RASPINI & ALICE MADE THIS, rings GIOVANNI RASPINI & VITALY.

When did you visually brand as an artist and how has your aesthetic changed; is there anything you’ve carried over?

Oh, wow, that's a great question. When I first started out, it's interesting, because I was singing and planning and writing for a while. But when I started making music, I was just wearing a lot of sportswear, very casual. I wasn't really putting too much thought into that part of the aesthetic. As an artist, it was more about the music for me. And now, coming up on 2 years into releasing music, I've realised that fashion can really coincide with me, the kind of artist I want to portray myself as and how it sits alongside the music. I reckon the top of this year has been the biggest shift in terms of the way I brand myself and the aesthetic I want Victor Ray to have.

Do you find being taller it’s sometimes challenging with clothing accessibility? A lot of taller men complain in terms of finding fashion items (Victor laughs) or do you feel like it's a lot more inclusive? 

Yeah it’s complicated! Shoes, trousers, for me it's like- for tall people the part of you that's tall is different for everyone. Some people have long legs, some people a long torso, so it’s a bit frustrating, but I've been surviving so far! (laughs).

Talk me through how you came to collab with the brilliant Walé Adeyemi? 

Oh wow, I mean I love Walé, he's a legend. We reached out to him about a year ago, maybe a little bit longer. It was very important for me to have creative direction as an ongoing focus from the start, you know, I'm very early in my career. But I really wanted guidance from someone who was really experienced and can understand this journey and know exactly where I want to get to, who's done these walks before. Walé was just an obvious choice and he was really down to work with me on a long-term vision. Seeing his work with all of the different artists he's collaborated with, we're talking from Beyoncé to Victoria Beckham and all of these people, it's crazy. He's got so much experience and wisdom, but at the same time he's so encouraging of me to lead and direct the focus and grow more comfortable in what I'm wearing and how I want to be perceived. So I think it's been really important for me to have someone there that reminds me I can be those things and be myself. He helps me direct everything; that's just a blessing.

I love that, it's such a lovely collaboration and that's one thing about Walé that's amazing is he brings out what's within that particular person but then also adding that flare in, so very skilled at that. Fashion and music pretty much go hand in hand- what are your personal thoughts on that?

You know what, it's so interesting. The music, the deeper you look, the more that you see. For me, like I said, it was originally really just an audio thing. But now when I look at artists that I love, people like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, even pop artists like Sabrina Carpenter, for example, who's doing really good right now, Tems, all of these people, the world that they're creating is so evident in the way that they hold themselves, the way they address themselves and the way that they want everything to look. The ones that are at the top are so particular about that. So I think it's so important. Tyler the Creator is a really good example actually. Each of his different projects he has a certain aesthetic and even creates like a character with the fashion that is just set for that period, it's just so brilliant. Because instantly fans are like okay, yeah this is Tyler and that look is this era. And I think now more than ever people really want to buy into an artist's world and just be in a different space and really absorb everything about it. Fashion is just such a great way to portray that, for people to just instantly see it and be invested in it.

Yes, that type of visual conversation alongside the music. It's a common question but as you mentioned a fair few artists, who are your musical influences? Who are you inspired by at the moment? 

Ooh at the moment- that’s good. Right now I've been listening to a lot of James Brown, Donny Hathaway as well, but then also people like Labrinth, Raye who is incredible and Doechii- sheesh! 

coat DAILY PAPER, overshirt SANDRO, hoodie VANS, trousers ALL SAINTS, trainers NIKE, bracelet GIOVANNI RASPINI & ALICE MADE THIS, rings GIOVANNI RASPINI & VITALY.

“Belief in myself and my art has been the most important thing so far, because it gives you confidence to be honest and keep opening up and really express deep parts of myself.” 

The album! 

So good! And you're talking about visuals, like the way she’s got the videos, the fashion, everything, it just blows my mind. So yeah, I really look at these guys for inspiration often. 

What was it that drew you into becoming a musician as a career? Is it something you always wanted to do? 

Yeah, I've always been singing from early, classic story, but it was a pipe dream for me. I grew up in Newcastle so the whole idea of being a singer was like a fantasy until I took a gap year after 6th form. Because I didn't get into the uni I originally aimed for, I had been singing, busking, performing at pubs and stuff before that, but it wasn't until that gap year where I was busking full-time and playing all these places, and I was like ah okay, I could just do this and I would be so much more content with that than whatever I was gonna be doing before. So I set myself little, small goals, deciding maybe I’m an artist for a while. Singing was giving me so much life, I love writing songs and telling stories, so I saved up money that way. I moved to London, kept writing and singing. At 18 I was like yeah, I'm sure this is what I’m doing. The bar kept getting higher each step further I go, so it’s just going to continue. 

Individuals speak of the north-south divide when it comes to resources and music. I suppose to an extent you did feel it, that's why you ended up moving to London? But do you feel like it's still prevalent when it comes to creative fields? 

I think so, there's the obvious stuff with the industry and everything you know, there's a lot of opportunities here down south. But I think a really important part of it is surrounding yourself in a place where there's a bunch of other creatives so your dream doesn't feel like it's crazy. When you're in the north or somewhere where there's not a lot going on, really it's so hard. Because you have to prove it to yourself first, but if you're in this environment where it feels like it's impossible, that's making it much more difficult. 

Speaking of self-belief, what would you say are some of the most important basics that every artist needs?

Every artist needs, it's obvious, but to be passionate. And that's across the board- when you're writing songs, performing, or doing anything in regards to your art and how you want people to consume it. You really have to love it, be obsessed with it. Consistency is really important now more than ever, because with social media it's crazy, you know, we're exposed to so many different people and talents all the time, everyday, constantly! So you really need to be always pushing in every aspect. Social media rewards consistency and then when you're not, it punishes you (laughs). Even if it's frustrating at times I think it's a good habit that it makes you build and then you carry that discipline with everything. Then I feel honesty is key for me, like when you're writing songs, when you're performing them, at least for me, when I'm the most connected with my song and I'm really speaking from a place of truth, that's when I do my best work, so I recommend that. 

With your creative process what things do you do all the time, and what do you switch up in order to challenge or push yourself?

All the time usually I'd grab my guitar and I would just sing and play chords just by myself in my room. Then it developed into writing with other people, letting these new perspectives come in and help me that way. Having the mix of both has been incredible. But I think a big thing for me now is just letting myself be inspired whenever it comes. Sometimes it will be late at night, sometimes it'll be out and about with friends, people will say something that makes you think a bit differently or unlock something. Or you’re out and see something that makes you feel a certain way. Keeping yourself open to that possibility at all times is what keeps you in love with it. 

I personally have notepads dotted around everywhere because I'm someone that likes to physically write things. How do you like to note down these sparks of inspiration when you have them at random places? 

All the time my notes, for me it's on my phone. Because this thing could just spark a world of thought and sometimes I'll just have lyrics on my phone and it will stay like that. And other times I'll build a song from it, but it all comes from that little spark. 

You mentioned collaborations, what makes a collaboration feel right?

It feels right when it's for the right reasons. For me, like when I work with Debbie- an amazing artist. I sang the song Falling Into Place with her when I was busking. I brought her out and we were singing each other's songs and it was fun. She sang the song and I was just like oh my days, it made the song make more sense with the way that she sang. That perspective was what the song needed. With collaborations I'm always thinking, what does this song need? All the songs I write I think of them as they're already pieces of work that are done and I'm piecing it back together, like I'm going back in time, so it's like does this person fit here? They're supposed to be here, so let's get the best we can from it.

That's a beautifully organic way of looking at it. You really thrive with live performance, you literally come alive. It's so lovely to watch, whether it be smaller or busking solo or with friends, to you playing larger scale like at the stadium in Sweden over the summer. What are some of the best experiences you've had as an artist? 

Yes, honestly a lot of them are; for me, live is the pinnacle of it for me. On the smaller scale I have had so many beautiful experiences of busking, there’s been times where it will just be one person who comes up to me and I've been singing for a few hours, and they just stay and listen. Or people come and tell me a particular song I just sang made them stop in their tracks. I had someone come up to me and their sister had recently passed away and the song I performed was their favourite song- it was almost like she felt a real connection to her through that moment. And there's so many other amazing moments from busking that you can't get anywhere else, for me that is huge. But then of course, when I get to sing my own songs to thousands of people like the stadium I played in Sweden, that's the stuff that you just can't imagine. Like yeah, as much as every artist will be like, yeah that would be sick. We strive to put ourselves in these positions but when it happens you have to really remember every moment of it, because it's crazy.

Yes, staying present in the moment, it must feel surreal to a degree. 

Oh yeah absolutely! 

coat DAILY PAPER, overshirt SANDRO, hoodie VANS, trousers ALL SAINTS, trainers NIKE, bracelet GIOVANNI RASPINI & ALICE MADE THIS, rings GIOVANNI RASPINI & VITALY.

So, we’re living in a really fast-paced world and you've touched on it previously, but how do you stay authentically you through the coming and going trends?

Hmm, it's interesting. For me, musically that was the first thing I had to make sure of. Everything I'm writing is coming from myself and not for anyone else or for a certain purpose, or because I've seen something doing well. Everything I write I have something to say and I'm just trying to figure out the best way to say it, put it out there, and have people experience it as they will. In terms of social media it can be difficult because we're all constantly trying to understand it, it's constantly changing. But I try to see it as an extension of my art and frame whatever song I have that I'm promoting to reach people who connect with it. We think about stuff differently when it's a music video, it's just making an extension of the art while keeping the integrity of it- and have fun with it as well! I think it's different for different people though. The only point where it becomes a problem is when you're inauthentic to yourself and people can really tell that through the screen. So as long as you're staying authentic to yourself, keep that integrity, I think that's the key.

Going into those encounters you’ve had personally and online, have fan interactions ever changed the way you view one of your own songs or even given you certain inspiration?

Absolutely! I have a song Popcorn and a Smoothie- I wrote that about the relationship with my dad and my brother who I don’t really know very well; it was a very specific scenario in my life why I wrote this song. And every time I've played it, different fans have come up to me and talked about, for example, ‘Oh, wow, I just haven't spoken to my sister in years.’ It really made them deep the situation and get emotional about it enough to make them consider reaching out. And there's so many different stories. Like parents acknowledging this relationship I have with this child is difficult for me. It's just so beautiful that the song has meant so much, when for me it meant just this one specific thing. It comes from a place of pain, but having that turn into something to start a journey of healing it's been incredible to experience that. 

The reason I smile with you sharing that experience is it’s both heartwarming and leads so well into the next question I’m intrigued to ask you. Your music explores some powerful themes and it can evoke deep connection to the music. Are there any songs that were difficult for you to write, perform or emotionally difficult to put out there through the art?

Popcorn was probably the most difficult to write, just because I had to be really honest with myself about the situation. Often that’s the hardest part, there's a lot of stuff that we keep from ourselves. you know. It's making yourself feel and understand it and find self-acceptance, that was really big for me. Putting it out there, I can only do that once I've done the internal work. Even songs like Comfortable for example, it's talking about a really difficult time in my life, the point I was at when I wrote it was very emotional and talking about quite a toxic experience. But it felt like I had taken responsibility for it and so that's when I was like cool, okay, now I know I'm content with this song, I'm at peace with it and other people can hear this story. Me being honest and accepting the reality of what I’m saying was the key.

That is why your music has deep resonance with your fans, that authentic expression of difficult subjects and also representation of Black males speaking openly emotionally. Sometimes it's a supportive channel putting it into an artistic form like in the music. What are your views on the social and community aspect of music? 

At my shows, I just talk so much about the stories that drive a lot of these songs. Like you say, it's so important, especially for people that look like me, Black men, men in general, it can be  difficult for us to do it. I have friends that find it challenging, but I've found such peace on stage and feel so safe to talk about this kind of stuff through song in a room of people where it's all understood, it's all accepted. Everyone in there is really thinking about these words, how it might reflect in their lives. The reason I fell in love with music in the first place is because it unlocked emotion in me and made me feel seen in a lot of ways in the songs I connected with in a deep, spiritual way. So whenever I make songs but especially when performing, I really try to get the stories through and have people understand where it's coming from. Especially for us men, Black men and other people that struggle to express themselves and their emotions, having someone else who has gone through something similar is such a huge help. To know that this person has also dealt with that, and this pain that I’m feeling isn’t world shattering because somehow they’ve dealt with it and can thrive within it, that’s really important to me. 

coat DAILY PAPER, overshirt SANDRO, hoodie VANS, trousers ALL SAINTS, trainers NIKE, bracelet GIOVANNI RASPINI & ALICE MADE THIS, rings GIOVANNI RASPINI & VITALY.

Music definitely helps to open dialogue and get people to have reflections they might not have had it not been for artistic exposure. Which of your songs would you say makes the strongest statement and why?

Ooh- I think maybe it might be a song I have called Stay For a While, because a lot of my songs have these metaphors and I talk about things in a roundabout way. Stay For a While is just so clearly heartbroken and I say it in this R&B kind of way, so maybe you don't even hear the lyrics. But it's such an admission that I'm in this space with desperation. Everything is just all laid out, being driven to this person that isn't interested in you, but maybe you could just stay for a while and give me that satisfaction because you’re giving me nothing right now. It’s just the most upfront portrayal of that emotion, really raw. 

You’ve spoken about Comfortable being a turning point for you and it took 2 years to make. What kept you motivated in the process of making it and how has the journey with it been? 

I mean I wrote that, oh my gosh, December 2020- time ago. I love that song so much. What's funny is, as the years go by, it's so easy to be like, ah, maybe this song isn't as good as I thought it was, maybe I thought it was great then, it's not cool anymore. So I went through a bit of a journey with it, thinking that, and then coming back to it like, actually, no, I still love this song. All of my EPs I've released up until now, they're kind of playing catch up. Like my first song that I released, Hollow I wrote in 2020 as well even before Comfortable. I feel like I've always been kind of playing catch up with my music, so it's a thing of having a longer term vision. These EP's I've made I kind of had the bulk of it planned out in my head and this arching story I keep that fleshed out and make it make sense. It was just a matter of what's the right time to put this song out and really express this part of my sound. Even on the sonic level, Comfortable steps into more of a soulful R&B space, that's the kind of music that I love, but yeah, it can be tough when you have songs for so long. 

Love of  the art keeps you going. What is the most important thing you've learned on your journey so far?

I really learned to believe in myself; it's a bit ironic. When I moved to London and started really doing this music thing, there's a lot of irrational like oh yeah, I'm gonna make it, I'm gonna make it. As I started releasing music and these songs that I wrote by myself have come out and people have connected with them, it's given me more confidence in my own writing, my performance, my singing. And I think without that, it would be so difficult to propel myself to try to improve and level up in so many ways. So yeah, belief in myself and my art has been the most important thing so far, because it gives you confidence to be honest and keep opening up and really express deep parts of myself. 

What words of wisdom would you give to someone who's afraid of taking the leap to pursue their passions?

I'd say you regret what you don't do. Everyone that's kind of on the cusp of, ‘Mate I feel like I really want to start doing this, but I'm not sure', trying is not gonna hurt! As soon as you take that huge step, that's the one thing that's between you going so far and achieving these huge things or nothing. If I didn't say cool, I'm gonna start busking now, that was it for me. Like if I really want this thing let me just try, see what happens. Also give it a real chance. It's so scary though man, this cost of living crisis, everything's happening, so peak! (both laugh). 

Super peak-

The world is telling us to just play it safe, but what is safe? So I just encourage people to give it a chance.

So true. On an ending note, what would you say is one of the lasting statements as an artist you want to leave for people? 

As an artist, a huge reason why I'm an artist and why I do this is because I wanted to believe that my voice matters, you know. In the world someone like me that comes from Newcastle, random places, in a random city, in a random country, my story matters within that. That kind of hope and child-like dream and ambition is something that I would love other people to see. See me and my journey and be like, his story matters, maybe mine matters as well, my voice. Everyone has such a unique perspective on life, everyone does. But not everyone knows that it's important or thinks that it's important; that's one thing I really want to share with my career and my music.

INTERVIEW AND EDITOR: Charlene Haylette - @charlenes_media
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Raissa Coulibaly - @therealraissa
PHOTOGRAPHER AND RETOUCHER: Satori Cascoe  - @toricascoe
LIGHTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Alex José - @alexjose.photo
STYLIST: Anastasia Busch - @ana.sta.sia
FASHION ASSISTANT: Tele Awo - @teleolaaa
HAIRSTYLIST: Lucy Muyanga using Babyliss Pro - @thehair.co 
MUA: Jumoke Ajayi using Danessa Myricks and Charlotte Tillbury - @jmksignature