“My favourite genres of music are dancehall and hip hop. They are almost mirrors of each other because they are voices for two cultures and they come from the streets; so the music relates to the common man. I sing about everything: I sing about partying, struggle, inspiration. Basically if it goes on in life, I touch on the subject in my music. I don’t limit my music to one topic because, like I said, music is life and life is limitless so my music is the same”
– Ray Sytes.
In September, Guyanese-born American Ray Sytes will release his very first Hip Hop Album entitled ‘Welcome 2 Guyana’ which focuses on an array of messages from building his birth country up to never backing down from a fight.
He is fully committed to music and considers it one of his loves, along with basketball. His main reason for the album is to put Guyana on the world map, especially when it comes to music in the hip hop and dancehall realms. He said he wants to be that symbol for Guyana, like Wyclef Jean is for Haiti.
Some of Ray’s recorded hits on the album are “Let It Go”, which is the introductory song; “GT Anthem”, a patriotic song that sends a message to Guyanese that what we have to do to is come together as a nation and “Can’t Back Down”, which was also featured on a mix tape and gives a motivational message about how not giving up in life and having the right mindset can make your dreams a reality.
Ray was born in Guyhoc Gardens in the capital. He lived there for seven years before migrating to the United States. Once in America, he lived in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. But Brooklyn is where he spent most of his years and that was where he was introduced to hip hop and perfected his skills as both a dancehall and hip hop artist.
His father was also a singer so there was always music or singing around the house while he was growing up. Music for Ray is pure inspiration drawn from life. According to him, it was music that helped him to “fit in” to American culture. “My childhood was filled with music. Coming from Guyana to America was rough because kids always picked on the new kid but because I had that music in my heart; it was like an icebreaker for me,” he told The Scene in an online interview. “I was able to fit in a little quicker and easier and adapted to the hip hop culture.”
His love for music came at an early age because of his father’s work, he said, adding that his father is one of the reasons why he wanted to become a musician, because of his passion and the way he would always be singing everywhere he went. “I think every young boy wants to be like their father when they are growing up. So I took to music because I wanted to be like my father,” he said.
Throughout his endeavours, his family was always there to support him. “They support me in everything that I do and music is no different. They give me their blessing and have my back 100%.”
Ray began writing songs in the fifth grade and unknowingly began making mix tapes by just recording songs with his favourite instrumentals which he would share with his schoolmates and family. He expressed that girls would frequently ask him for autographs just in case he became famous one day. This support made him want to take his talent to a whole new and professional level.
His family, his father, his love for music are all the push he needs to continue his work but nothing pushes harder than fan support. He shared with us, “The positive responses I get when people hear my music is uplifting. That’s what keeps me going and motivates me because I know that they appreciate my talent.”
People he looks up to include Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Movado, Vybz Kartel and Jay-Z to name a few. “I like that these guys can switch up their flow and stay current with the times and be trendsetters with the genre of music that they are in.”
Ray sees himself on a bigger platform in the future, he wants people to be exposed to his music and have it touch their lives. He also sees himself winning awards, collaborating and making hit records with other artists. In his effort to promote music, Ray’s message is: be yourself. “That’s when the music is the best and purest because it’s more believable coming out of your mouth and the listener can pick up on that,” he said.
He has collaborated with Kwanza Jones, an American a billboard charting dance/pop singer and songwriter, born in Los Angeles, California. He has two songs that will be on her album ‘Supercharged’, which will be released this year. Ray has also worked with Grammy nominated Producer and Engineer Luke Tozour who has worked with artists such as Katy Perry and Pink to name a few.
So far he has not signed on to any record label but is always willing to entertain signing with a major label if the situation is right. He said the life of an independent artist is hard but rewarding at the same time because you have to do things for yourself but in the end you see more profit and you learn things better.
He is excited about his debut album that will be released on iTunes in September and hopes that Guyana appreciates the work he is doing for the country he still calls his own despite not living here. You can log on to www.RaySytes.com or follow www.facebook.com/sytesmusic for updates on his album and new releases.
