INTERVIEW: Cloud Ray releases “Burn It Down”

Hailing from Middlesex in New Jersey, Cloud Ray is a burgeoning artist on the hip hop and pop scene, igniting his musical path with a fusion of influences ranging from J. Cole to Black Eyed Peas. Embracing a broad sonic spectrum, Cloud Ray’s music is showcase of his versatility and artistic exploration. With inspirations drawn from luminaries like Kanye West and Nicki Minaj, he embarks on a journey that effortlessly merges elements of hip hop, pop, dance and house into a harmonious mosaic.

Cloud Ray’s ascent to prominence continued through this year, marked by a series of electrifying tours that traversed major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and New Orleans. His vibrant stage presence, often accompanied by dancers and live bands, elevated his live performances to unforgettable spectacles.

Now, Cloud Ray brings us his latest offering, the single “Burn It Down,” a track that captures the essence of a sun-soaked summer. The song opens with bouncy piano chords, immediately setting the tone for a laid-back and infectious groove. Cloud Ray’s vocals glide effortlessly over the rhythmic foundation, delivering lyrics that resonate with the carefree spirit of the season. The arrangement unfolds with the addition of warm brass tones, imbuing the track with a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

Cloud Ray unleashes his slick flows, seamlessly blending his verses with the melodic contours of the production. The chorus serves up his infectiously catchy writing, inviting listeners to embrace the dance floor and revel in the melodies. “Burn It Down” is a musical embodiment of the joy and camaraderie that accompany gatherings during sunny days and balmy nights, making it an ideal soundtrack for backyard parties, barbecues and seaside adventures.

With the previous success of “Urban City Elegance,” which clocked over a million streams, Cloud Ray’s “Burn It Down” is poised to follow suit. This summer hit resonates with commercial appeal while retaining an authenticity that defines Cloud Ray’s artistic identity. The song captures the essence of celebration and distils the exhilaration of dancing under the sun, making it an irresistible anthem for listeners seeking to embrace the radiance of the season.

As Cloud Ray continues to make waves, “Burn It Down” is the latest example of his prowess for crafting music that resonates with universal themes of joy, unity and the simple pleasure of dancing to a rhythm that reflects the heartbeat of life itself.

We caught up with Cloud Ray to find out more about his inspirations, his new single “Burn It Down” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Cloud Ray below.

Hey Cloud Ray, how’s things?

Hey Plastic Magazine, things are going well! I am feeling blessed, prosperous, and abundant.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

My earliest memory of me making music was in elementary school in either the first or second grade. I remember staying in the classroom during recess to write down lyrics to Missy Elliot’s “Lose Control” while everyone else went out to play and that’s when I knew I was a bit different.

Which artists do you draw the most inspiration from today?

Wow, that’s a great question. I would say I draw a lot of inspiration from many different artists but if I had to pick one, I would say I’m mostly inspired by Nicki Minaj. This is because I first and foremost respect her as an independent woman. Growing up with an independent mother coming from a broken household, I resonate deeply with what that struggle looks like and what that success looks like. I respect the way she was able to inspire a whole generation of women, specifically female rappers coming up in the industry and I hope to have that same impact creatively amongst men and women from the music I create.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I find inspiration for my music from life experiences of my own and also through people and situations around me.

What do you love about the New Jersey music scene?

I love that New Jersey has a defined and unique sound that I enjoy listening to, dancing to, and seeing how other artists put their creative twist on that distinct sound. New sounds are constantly emerging from New Jersey. While I may not contribute directly to New Jersey’s sound, I aim to be one of the defining artists that emerge out of this beautiful state.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

The perfect setting for listeners to enjoy Cloud Ray would be on the beach, in long car rides, at the gym, and at my concerts. You’ll definitely want to make it out to my concerts. Tune into my website cloudraymusic.com to see when my next show is and I hope to see you there!

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I would say that my style and sound has evolved because no experience I go through is the same and with every creation of mine I strive to do something I’ve never done before. My style and sound is never stagnant but constantly transforming as I continue to break down genre barriers.

How did you find making your new single “Burn It Down”?

That is an interesting story. I was creating ‘Urban City Elegance’, my first ever EP, with Treadway, who produced the EP and ‘Burn It Down’. He and I had taken a break to listen to some of the music that was in his vault and one of the songs was the production for ‘Burn It Down’. As soon as I heard it I immediately felt a connection to it. I asked him if the beat was for sale or if an artist was writing to it currently and he explained to me that he and another producer, Daniel Thomas, had worked on the music quite a while ago and they never finished it so they didn’t pitch it to any artists. To me the song sounded finished so I asked him to send me the music and two days later I wrote a song and ‘Burn It Down’ was born.

After that, we sent the song back to Daniel for him to approve. We ended up making a couple of revisions to the song but ultimately everyone was very satisfied with the final result.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

This is a sexy song, there’s no way around that. I didn’t really have many songs that cater to the sexy side that we like to enjoy sometimes. I also feel like this song would be a great addition to the summer anthems playing at barbecues, backyard parties, and beach days. Overall this record is meant to inspire the listeners to let loose, dance, have fun, and enjoy a good time.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Recently, I’ve been enjoying listening to a lot of Tems. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of listening to her music. Love you Tems!

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I want people to resonate, to connect with each other, and unify from listening to my music. I want to hold some power of influence so I can lead people to a better place as a society.

What’s been your favorite live performance so far?

I would say my favourite live performance so far has been at The Canby venue in LA this past June of 2023. This was the first time on tour that I was able to be emotionally vulnerable outside of my songs. To me, it felt like a lot of growth took place and it was also a major accomplishment. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was embraced by the crowd whole heartedly and that moment of connection was a big deal for me.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

I would definitely want the original Black Eyed Peas, J. Cole, and Nicki Minaj. This would have to take place in California, I’m thinking of Coachella, a place where everyone can experience love, unity, and good vibes through real music.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Yes, first take yourself seriously, even when other people don’t. No one is going to root for you as hard as you are. Take pride in that and stand ten toes down for yourself. No matter what you are in this industry, whether you are an artist, producer, engineer, or a musician, learn your craft and learn it well. Become a master of it and learn as much as you can so you’re never unaware of what is going on around you.

Secondly, build a solid team. Do what it takes to find people who believe in your music as much as you do and are willing to go the extra mile to find the opportunities that will take you to the next level.

Lastly, build a community of people to connect and elevate with.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

For the rest of 2023, my main focus is continuing to push “Burn It Down” and at the same time I am preparing for another release in late September. You’ll have to stay tuned in to find out what is coming next but what I can hint at is this next record has a heavy EDM influence. I have multiple music releases and upcoming tour dates lined up that will be announced at the top of next year. Currently I am ending off the year strong from finishing five consecutive tours with Mor.Bookings Agency and I’m so excited to share what is coming next.

Listen to Burn It Down below