conducted by Hugo Lunny
MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.
Ray Goss: Ray Goss is just an artist who loves music. It’s not really not too much more than that. I’ve been rapping seriously for about two years. I’m ready to put some good quality music out, and give the fans relief.
MVRemix: How important do you feel networking is?
Ray Goss: Networking is crazy important, ’cause you never know who the next person knows. People are connected in crazy ways so you never know.
MVRemix: How has MySpace helped you?
Ray Goss: Myspace has helped in a crazy way. It’s around the world exposure. People have been hitting me up telling me how much they like my songs. It’s part of the reason I have a buzz now. If it wasn’t for myspace that girl in Europe wouldn’t know who Ray Goss is. So shout out to MySpace.
MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?
Ray Goss: Jay-Z, Joe Budden, and Scarface. Each one of them makes me challenge myself lyrically. Each one of them are real niggaz and I respect that.
MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?
Ray Goss: The first song I wrote was wack as fuck and that’s real. I was first starting out, so what could you expect.
MVRemix: How does living in Fairview Heights, Ill shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?
Ray Goss: That’s the reason I spit the way I spit today. My mind isn’t just strictly hood. Fairview Heights is about 10 mins from East St. Louis. My pops and moms was both teachers down their and I have family down their as well. So growing up I got to see both sides, the suburb life and the hood life. That’s where I get my topics from things I do and did. I’m not one of those rappers that rap about things they didn’t do but things they saw. That shit’s wack. You could see a dude get shot, but that don’t make you gangsta.
Most hood niggaz would be like Kanye’s wack or Common sucks, by being brought up the way I was I see past not being a hardcore rapper. Both them niggaz ill, their part of the reason I rap the way I do. Faiview Heights is my shit, that’s where I get my peace of mind.
MVRemix: How did the name Young Blaze come to be?
Ray Goss: I wanted to be cool so I said I’m blaze, then it became Young Blaze. In reality both was really wack. So I said, “Fuck it, I’m Ray Goss.”
MVRemix: Why did you chose to revert back to your real name?
Ray Goss: What’s real-er than your real name? If I’m gonna spit about real shit I’m gonna be real all the way. Kenneth Ray Goss is my name. So why not?
MVRemix: Tell me about the music you’re currently working on…
Ray Goss: I’ve just finished my first mixtape “Meet Ray Goss,” which would be in the streets hopefully by December 1st, 2008. I’m currently working on my first album, “The Journey.” Expect that around late spring beginning summer. Both is gonna be hot so be looking for them.
MVRemix: How long did the record take to record and how planned was it – ie did you set out with a tracklisting and stick to it or record a number of songs and chose a select amount leaving the rest on the “cutting room floor”?
Ray Goss: At first I was like I’m gonna record 50 songs and pick 15 from that 50, but when it was ready it was ready. I didn’t quite make it to 50, but it’s cool. I’m still recording and making hotter shit to put on my ablum. I just want respect as an MC. I don’t want to be an rapper, y’all can have that. I just want to spit and share with y’all what I’ve been through and going through. I just hope y’all feel it.
MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the album? If I’m coming to a Ray Goss. What is it that I’m going to experience that I won’t experience simply from listening to your material on CD?
Ray Goss: Expect a lot of passion. I feel my music needs more of a visual. You would get see how passionate I am about my music. When you decide to come see a Ray Goss show expect to have a good time, but at the same time you would be touched.
MVRemix: Any videos planned?
Ray Goss: The video for “Preach” would be shot in January 2009. Be on the look out on the YouTube.
MVRemix: Tell me about the “Buzzworthy” mixtape..
Ray Goss: Buzzworthy wasn’t really a mixtape. That was just five songs I through on a CD to get the buzz going. The crazy thing about it is, it worked. I was gonna call the real mixtape “Buzzworthy” but I decided to change it to “Meet Ray Goss.” That slogan has caught people eye, so I’m gonna run with it.
MVRemix: What separates you from other rappers? Why should I opt to listen to your music above others?
Ray Goss: Originallity. No other rapper’s beats sound like mine; I have my own style, and my own sound. You’re not gonna hear Ray Goss spitting or sounded like someone else. So if you tired of hearing the same ol’ shit. Pop in Ray Goss.
MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?
Ray Goss: Vodka, a blunt, and some Floetry, Al Green, Snoop, Isley Brothers, Devin the Dude… Some laid back shit like that.
MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?
Ray Goss: I ain’t worried about fighting nobody, I’m just here to make music.
MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?
Ray Goss: I wanna open some restaurants, write some movies, start an XM station, but the focus is music right now.
MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?
Ray Goss: “Meet Ray Goss” mixtape, then “The Journey.”
MVRemix: Any last words?
Ray Goss: Yeah, Get my shit. Peace. Love y’all.