Artist Name: Raww Blue
Bio:
Raww Blue, the Brooklyn native is making his presence known on the mainstream hip-hop scene. The self-made rapper began posting dance videos to YouTube at the age of 12. By the age of 14, Raww Blue was appearing as a lead dancer in major music videos that made it’s way onto media outlets such as Music Choice, BET, and MTV & More. It was then that he knew he had what it takes to be successful in the music industry as well. However, the headturning successes nearly came to a tragic and premature end. While attending a party at the age of 15, Raww Blue received a cut on his neck that almost cost him his life. He went into cardiac arrest during his ambulance ride to the hospital, and a defibrillator had to be used to save his life. The cut ended up requiring 200 stitches and a doctor recommended that he not partake in strenuous activity for a full year. Instead of using a tragedy as an excuse for defeat, Raww Blue chose to live his life with newfound passion and desire. After only a few months, Raww was back performing at shows opening for R&B Star “Ray J” and more. Blue wore a bandana around his neck to cover his healing wound. Known for turning negative into positive, Blue is letting nothing stop him. Today, Blue has been raising his value as an artist in plenty of ways, from collectively gaining 141,000 fans via social media, landing a headphone deal with “MYSounds Wireless”, Sneaker Deal with TCG Footwear & performing at 2019 BET Experience in Los Angeles. Raww Blue is an artist that also takes his own initiative to break barriers for the new generation. Blue comments, “I am coming into this game with a different mindset. I know how to make good music and I know the business side of music. People forget music is a BUSINESS.” A big milestone in Blue’s career was the release of his single “She Know She Bad “ In early 2015. The music video premiered through VEVO 3 days later, the song was picked up by Breakfast club’s DJ Envy, Dj PDub and was played on POWER105 and nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM. This caught the attention of people worldwide. Fans made videos from Russia to Australia dancing to Raww’s hit. He has caught the attention of many greats such as Grammy award winning producer Troy Taylor, Method Man and other legends like Spike Lee, Sway Calloway and more. Hope You enjoy This Journey.
Raww Blue, the Brooklyn native is making his presence known on the mainstream hip-hop scene. The self-made rapper began posting dance videos to YouTube at the age of 12. By the age of 14, Raww Blue was appearing as a lead dancer in major music videos that made it’s way onto media outlets such as Music Choice, BET, and MTV & More. It was then that he knew he had what it takes to be successful in the music industry as well.
However, the headturning successes nearly came to a tragic and premature end. While attending a party at the age of 15, Raww Blue received a cut on his neck that almost cost him his life. He went into cardiac arrest during his ambulance ride to the hospital, and a defibrillator had to be used to save his life. The cut ended up requiring 200 stitches and a doctor recommended that he not partake in strenuous activity for a full year.
Instead of using a tragedy as an excuse for defeat, Raww Blue chose to live his life with newfound passion and desire. After only a few months, Raww was back performing at shows opening for R&B Star “Ray J” and more. Blue wore a bandana around his neck to cover his healing wound. Known for turning negative into positive, Blue is letting nothing stop him.
Today, Blue has been raising his value as an artist in plenty of ways, from collectively gaining 141,000 fans via social media, landing a headphone deal with “MYSounds Wireless”, Sneaker Deal with TCG Footwear & performing at 2019 BET Experience in Los Angeles.
Raww Blue is an artist that also takes his own initiative to break barriers for the new generation. Blue comments, “I am coming into this game with a different mindset. I know how to make good music and I know the business side of music. People forget music is a BUSINESS.”
A big milestone in Blue’s career was the release of his single “She Know She Bad “ In early 2015. The music video premiered through VEVO 3 days later, the song was picked up by Breakfast club’s DJ Envy, Dj PDub and was played on POWER105 and nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM. This caught the attention of people worldwide. Fans made videos from Russia to Australia dancing to Raww’s hit. He has caught the attention of many greats such as Grammy award winning producer Troy Taylor, Method Man and other legends like Spike Lee, Sway Calloway and more. Hope You enjoy This Journey.
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
What made me wanna do music was my environment, I remember the first time I heard Missy Elliot on my way to school as a youngin, I believe it was “Work It,” something about it caught my attention, from the beat to the rhymes down to how it made people feel. That’s why I would say she’s a inspiration also 50 Cent & Michael Jackson, to name a few.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I don’t like to compare myself too much but I’ve been told I have similarities to Ludacris, Pop Smoke & Asap Ferg. I feel I’m different because of my voice. My Caribbean background brings out a different tone and dialect.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
When I first started doing music I was told to quit by many people but I was on a mission to prove to myself I could do it, it was bigger than them. At 15 I was cut in my neck, I was lost. I Found a lot of motivation and a story ever since then but I still try to make music to uplift, some call it “Commercial.”
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
I used to write songs and just have them ready and knock them out at the studio, the further I got I learned the skill of recording myself and now I record on the spot when the time is right and the vibe, I have to FEEL the beat. It has to make me want to get up in the first 10 seconds, then I write.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
Although I’m not chasing it, I wouldn’t mind a major deal. They have the JUICE! For the time being, being indie works out for me because I have most control, but to get to that higher level I wouldn’t mind stepping in the field with the big folks. I do most of the work now anyway. I’m used to the way things used to be ran in the industry but it changes every couple years. Some people can’t keep up with the times but I feel I can.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
As of right now I have other side hustles like doing voice-overs for cartoons, modeling and acting…but music has made me a lot of money, even though it took almost 8 years until that started happening. I’ve had people fly from a different country just to record with me, shocked me too but I know I didn’t stop and all my work had to catch up to me. The advice I would give to anyone just starting is to stay consistent and speak substance and believe what you’re doing already. Don’t question yourself or let anyone else’s doubt trump you.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
The internet was a gift and a curse at the same time. A gift because we still discovered unbelievable talent on there but a curse because now even your biggest stars are accessible. You know where they are, who they’re with and what they are doing at all times, different from back in the day when if you seen a star it was like more of a shock factor. At the same time, now social media is your new business card, so if you don’t have that then things will be A LOT harder for you coming in.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Some would say that I was a “Sell Out” because of the type of music I make which is “Commercial” so I don’t have anything towards it. Now if you are talking bad on your own people of any sort just for the quick buck then that’s a different story. I could stay true to myself and not do that.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
In 5 Years I see myself with at least 1 Platinum Record. Of course I want more but I’ll take it one step at a time, from there I see myself in more movies, huge campaigns and a big businessman to the industry, as far as finding talent and helping shape the world!
