Today we’d like to introduce you to RE@L RAYDON aka RE@L
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in New Orleans so I was brought up on good music. My mom was a dancer on Soul Train, and my Aunt Alisa Randolph, a former member of an R&B girl group Madame X, shaped my early musical journey in Hawaii, introducing me to the world of studio sessions and performances. Sy, a Michael Jackson impersonator that met MJ more than nine times, would teach me MJ’s moves while my Uncle Jesse’s drumming instilled rhythm in me. In high school, fueled by Rock music from groups like Linkin Park and rappers like 2Pac, DMX, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Xzibit, Eminem, my cousin Revenue Hefner, Cash Money Artists Hot Boys and Master P and his label No Limit Records I would freestyle with my friend Andrew for fun and that’s how I found my passion. Inspired by the movie 8 Mile,” I delved into rap.
My journey continued in Houston’s 3rd Ward at my first rap performance, where Big Hawk predicted my success. Unfortunately, I never got to work with Big Hawk since he passed away, but My Uncle Ruben connected me with Trey8 of No Limit, and we got in the studio, and I recorded 7 tracks all in one night. I dropped my first single, Pink on the Inside. Shortly after that, Vegas became my next chapter, aiding my cousin Revenue Hefner with the family label StackaGrip Ent. Tragedy struck when he passed away, I took a break from music, and I moved back to LA. My mixtape “Noise Complaints” went silver on Dat Piff, and I dropped my debut album “Believe in What’s Real.” In 2015, I was on a reality show called “Welcome to Sweetie Pies,” and in 2020, I formed my record label, WON NATION LLC. to honor one of my favorite rappers, 2Pac. I connected with BMikeRob in 2021 and performed at Desert Jam in Lancaster. I’ve been dropping singles, including my latest song, “OK WIT IT,” produced by Black Irish Ent is out now on all platforms.
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?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve had so many unfortunate events. I’ve been through a lot. People have been stealing my ad-libs, my sound, and basically my whole brand. This industry has been feeding off me since I started my career. They’ve been taking my flow, my energy, my stage presence, imitated my personality, my signature phrases, leverything taking it and running with it and not even giving me credit for it like Pac said, “I ain’t mad at cha”. Engineers and producers have also taken my music without my consent and played it for well-known artists, and after that, they created songs and albums based on my life and my cousin’s Revenues’ life, and my brand. In some cases, you could say that’s inspiration, but when they just discredit me and act like I don’t exist, that’s stealing. Also losing a lot of people that I worked with in music, people that had plans to work with me and losing some of my family members to such tragic deaths like Big Hawk was gunned down, Trey 8 died in a car accident, I lost my best friend Andrew to suicide, my auntie Lisa to cancer, her friend Sy that taught me MJs moves overdosed, I lost my cousin Magnolia Shorty to gun violence, my cousin Revenue passed away under mysterious circumstances, Nipsey Hussle was tryna link wit me before he died. My mixtape Noise Complaints somehow got taken off the internet. There’s even more stuff I’ve been through, but that’s another story.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Rapper, CEO, and trendsetter. I inspire a lot of artists not only that I inspire businesses as well. I do it all. I also specialize in Artist Development. I empower artists, actors, producers, directors, and individuals to elevate to their higher selves swiftly. I’ve been called an alien numerous times lol, and I’m known for predicting events through my artwork. I’m mostly proud of the way I’ve handled all of the adversity I’ve faced throughout my life. I’ve been able to adapt and overcome any obstacles that come my way. I’ve always stayed close to God through it all, and I’m also proud of my work ethic, originality, and the way I built my brand through my signature ad-libs, subject matter, and my stage presence.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I definitely see a shift in the industry turning into a more positive industry. Going back to the essence of hip hop where it all started when rappers spoke about their problems and real-life issues in the world and in their communities, and they attempted to solve those problems. I know for sure I’m gonna make a big change with Artist Development to where I develop artists quicker instead of a long time. It’ll be much sooner than that. And Artists focus on individually getting to their higher selves. I see AI definitely playing a heavy role in the music business, making it easier to where you can focus on creating the art more than the business, which is very time-consuming. I see it also going back to talent being more important than your social media following. I think Major Labels may possibly go extinct because the tools to create a label are easily accessible because of the internet and AI.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.realonesonly.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealreal4ever/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REALRAYDON4EVER
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@relraydon4ever894?si=JhCABVd8nDbSEgMU
