The independent music scene has a thrilling new voice, and he goes by the name of Luvrjay. At just 20 years old, the Arkansas-born artist has been quietly studying the greats since he was a young kid, breaking down the songwriting processes of pop, R&B, and hip-hop icons to figure out exactly what makes a hit record. It is a level of dedication that shines through beautifully on his debut single, ‘Deadly’, a track so infectious that even the artist himself listens to it every single day in awe of his own creation.
Getting to this point wasn’t easy, however. Like many creatives, Rjayy, the talent behind the project, battled with his own confidence and spent years overthinking his talent before finally letting the world hear his music. Now that the vault is open, he is looking straight towards the future with an unstoppable drive and an EP on the horizon. We sat down with the rising star to chat all about his musical roots, the spontaneous creation of his debut track, and his massive aspirations for the future.
Thanks for joining us today, Rjayy! You’ve been interested in music since you were a young kid, but when did you first start making music yourself? Where did it all begin, and what originally inspired you?
“I first started making music in 2020 while I was just at home bored. I didn’t really have the confidence to release anything back then, but now I finally do. Honestly, I freestyle all my music—whatever comes to my mind in the moment, I turn it into a song.”
Your debut single is absolutely brilliant. Can you tell us a bit about the track and what it personally means to you to finally get it out there?
“‘Deadly’ is self-explanatory: “I don’t want you crazy over me because it might get deadly.” This is my debut song, so it’s my baby! My first child. I used to overthink everything, but I finally released it instead of holding it in.”
You mentioned studying how the greats make hits. Were there any specific artists who influenced you when writing this release?
“Many artists inspire me, including Bryson Tiller, Michael Jackson, and J. Cole, among others.”
The track feels incredibly organic. What was your actual songwriting process for it, and how did it all come together in the studio?
“I freestyled the hook and verse and recorded it on June 8th at 2:08 AM. It all came naturally, and I’m really proud of it.”
It has a really dynamic vibe. How would you describe the sound of ‘Deadly’, and how has your style evolved since you first started out in 2020?
“Honestly, I’d say it leans pop, but I’m singing and rapping on it too. I don’t really like labelling my music anyway because I make all types—rap, country, pop, and R&B. I started out rapping, and the rest is history.”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey with the single, and how does the imagery tie into that?
“Honestly, I just wanted a song with real replay value. I feel like the cover art matches the song perfectly and really represents the sound and vibe.”
The reaction must be amazing. What sort of reception have you had so far, and have there been any memorable moments that stand out?
“Being told, “This is fire, why hasn’t this been out yet?” really means everything to me. I’ve got so much music waiting to be released, and I can’t wait for y’all to hear what’s next. 🖤”
You’ve clearly got a massive work ethic. Looking ahead, what are your ultimate aspirations as an artist, and where do you see yourself in the next few years?
“In the next year, I see myself at the Grammys and the BET Awards—living in the space I’ve always dreamed of being in. I’m speaking it into existence and working every day to make it happen. The journey is just getting started.”
Now that the ice is broken, what is next after this release? Do you have any new tracks or upcoming projects on the horizon?
“I got a couple of songs in mind, and I keep going back and forth trying to decide which one should follow up ‘Deadly’. I still don’t know what genre I want to drop next, honestly. I have over 50 songs in the vault—I just gotta start releasing them. And I’m working on an EP too, so stay tuned.”
Before we wrap up, is there anything you would like to say to our audience reading this?
“Just check out my music. That would mean so much!”
It is incredibly clear that Rjayy is an artist who refuses to be boxed into a single genre, and with his fierce determination and a vault bursting with unreleased tracks, he is well on his way to turning those Grammy dreams into reality.
‘Deadly’ is just the first taste of what this Arkansas native can do, and we cannot wait to see which style he decides to bless us with next. Make sure to follow Rjayy on Instagram to keep up with his upcoming EP and future releases.
