VICTOR RAY OVERCOMES “STICKS & STONES” ON SEARING SINGLE WITH KOJEY RADICAL AND STRANDZ
VICTOR RAY OVERCOMES “STICKS & STONES” ON SEARING SINGLE WITH KOJEY RADICAL AND STRANDZ – LISTEN HERE
RAY ANNOUNCES I WILL. EP DUE OUT IN MARCH
November 15, 2024 — (Hollywood, CA) — Today, rising soul/R&B powerhouse Victor Ray returns with “Sticks & Stones” featuring UK rappers Kojey Radical and Strandz. A resilience anthem set to a throwback beat, the single will ultimately land on Ray’s just-announced next EP, I WILL. due in March on Capitol Records. Listen to “Sticks & Stones” HERE and watch the video HERE.
Like each of the UK-based artist’s carefully considered songs, “Sticks & Stones” serves up an undeniable display of passionate vocals and evocative storytelling. As a pitched-up soul sample and a ’90s-indebted groove kicks in, he paints a picture of growing up in a city, “Where the clouds are gray enough to block out every star until the thought of ever reaching them is lost.” His guests Kojey Radical and Strandz share their own gritty visions, but even as he goes bar for bar with them in a rare rap verse, Ray focuses on the strength of will that it takes to turn dreams into reality.
The accompanying video — directed by Harvey Pearson (Sam Smith, The Japanese House, SG Lewis) —picks up where the clip for “Still the Same” left off, with Ray on a rooftop overlooking a cityscape at dusk. In the next frame, though, we’re in a parking garage, in striking black and white, against a backdrop of concrete walls and dramatic shadows.
Said Victor, “Sticks and Stones is the story about where I’m from and the walls that are encased over a young child’s dreams due to the environment they’re raised in. The song also dissects the voices of self-doubt that I had to overcome to allow myself to believe that my story is worth telling.”
“Sticks & Stones” and “Still the Same” — a mission statement of a single that traces Ray’s rise and doubles down on his values — are the first tastes of I WILL., the fourth in a series of connected EPs. His last entry, June’s I TRIED. contains his deeply vulnerable viral hit “Comfortable,” hailed as a “phenomenon” by CLASH Magazine, not to mention the epic duet “Falling Into Place ft. Debbie” which VIBE likened to a “shooting star blazing into our orbit.” Also, one of the biggest testaments yet to Ray’s tremendous depth and timeless but forward-pushing sound: “Lose Myself” (watch HERE).
The Uganda-born, Newcastle-raised artist has moved with passion and intent every step of his career thus far, and his EPs tell that story while plotting out his personal growth. While his newest songs display confidence — and I TRIED. found Ray moving into a hopeful space — last year’s i felt. explored themes of loneliness and betrayal. The series kicked off with his acclaimed debut EP, i was., which found him deep in loss. Named an Apple Music “Up Next UK” artist, Ray, who got his start busking while in high school, now has over 4 million followers and 1 billion combined views across platforms.
Over the past year, Ray has also made his name as a magnetic live performer, a reputation earned across his own sold-out European tour, a supporting slot on Teddy Swims’ spring 2024 UK run, and a sold-out headline show at famed London venue Lafayette. He also shined at Montreux Jazz Festival in July, and memorably blessed BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May, drawing the biggest crowd of the day for the BBC Introducing Stage. Ray is now gearing up for his “I AM. Tour” — a fall headline run through the UK and Europe whose pre-sale sold out within hours. The full itinerary can be viewed HERE.
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