Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Lay. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Bryan Lay a.k.a. (professionally known as) b.LaY is an artist based out of Los Angeles, he dropped his debut EP, Jan 1st, 2017. Known for his introspective and uplifting lyrics, combined with his unique style of delivery, he has been a rising star within both the rap and alternative communities for the better part of the last five years.
Born in Carson, California and raised in Oceanside during his teenage years, he was exposed to two very different social and economic environments, which gave him a wide variety of friends with interests in a vast array of music. This would be instrumental in his development as he would soon be using his creative voice, developed during this time, on stage.
In 2010-2014, b.LaY was a backup singer for Deuce. b.LaY had the great fortune of meeting Deuce outside of a rock bar “Angels and Kings” in Hollywood, Lay started to freestyle for Deuce and he loved his style. Deuce invited him to the studio to talk shop and see there could be a future working together. At the time Deuce (ex-lead singer of Interscope’s multi-platinum band “Hollywood Undead”) left his group (due to monetary issues) to form a new band in which b.LaY was a part of, NineLives. In 2014, during a hiatus b.LaY had the opportunity to meet Ronnie Radke at a NAMM convention after party. It was at this time that Radke and Lay became friends over their shared admiration over Eminem. A friendship developed and Lay started to worked security and be a hype man for Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse from 2014-2018. This allowed him to tour across multiple continents and see the music world from the inside-out, while also reverse engineering his own career from the mainstage of festivals like Warped Tour, Soundwave, and Uproar–performing on stage for thousands of people at a time–to his own DIY shows while at home. While continuing his solo career while not on tour
So far, he has released three mixtapes (2causeaneffect, Initiation I & II) all of which are available for free on the music page blaymusic.com. He also appears as a feature artist on multiple songs by Ronnie Radke, Bizarre (D12), one of which features Deuce as well, that have generated millions of views online.
After the pandemic in late 2022, b.LaY partnered with G4Lrecords to start his indie deal, look forward for new releases and the advancement in his next levels in the industry. His combination of skills and experiences, have allowed him to transcend genres as an alternative rapper/singer heading to a mainstream platform–a rapper who can sing and has charisma like a rockstar. b.LaY is currently working on new music to be released in 2023.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth, there have been ups and downs along the way. I value my journey and where I am headed as well as where I come from. A kid raised in Carson in between Compton and Long Beach; I never would have dreamed I would have toured the world for 8 years with major bands. Coming where I come from, I didn’t see that kind of stuff around me, and when I was 12, 13 we moved to Oceanside CA I was displaced into a new environment (higher social economic class) being around more Caucasian friends allowed me to broaden my musical taste. I find the struggles about becoming true in my art form and navigating this career as an independent hard, yet one struggle has been finding the motivation to stay afloat. In deeper conversation about challenges, after 2017, I had the opportunity to move to Florida after performing on Vans Warped Tour. During this time, I was still actively doing shows and writing new songs. My biggest challenge to date came in these years, getting out of a toxic relationship which triggered unsettled molestation as a child has been my biggest challenge. Spending years 2018-2019 getting the help I needed through Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour) donating to MusiCares to start me on therapy and deal with PTSD. My biggest struggle has been overcoming internalized homophobia, self-love, and dealing with issues I was too scared to confront. I took some time off from Music in 2018 to heal and deepen my understanding of self. I had the opportunity to study yoga and meditation through Russle Simmons at his Tantris studio in Beverly Hills during this time to help overcome my obstacles
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an entrepreneur songwriter and an artist, I specialize in writing lyrics and melodies in hip hop, rap and rock. I’m known for songs with major Rockstars as well as creating my own brand and label, FamLaY Entertainment LLC) I’m most proud of my commitment to striving for betterment and getting my music and art off the ground. What sets me apart from other artist is my vulnerability and truth in my music. I told myself I rather uplift and try to inspire those that have suffered as I did as a child through my art to help others.
I am also proud of the work I have been doing in my community of Los Angeles, during my healing time, I took time to volunteer for community service through, Good City Mentors as well as Red Eye Inc (Watts Empowerment Center), working as a mentor helping with school work, as well a summer camps, teaching music has been one of my biggest joys outside of music.
Alright, so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me by contacting me through my website blaymusic.com or through Instagram @bryanlayblay
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.blaymusic.com
- Instagram: @bryanlaynlay
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bryanlayblay
- Twitter: @bryanlayblay
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/blay1
Image Credits
Fazil Ahmad
Grizzle Martin
Bryan Lay
