“East Side of Detroit is known for being wild, but it was cool, honestly. It was normal. I played sports growing up,” he explains. “I played football for a minute, but then I switched to basketball. I stayed my size in high school though, so I had to get off that. Started messing with females in high school.”
Before this current era, Michigan rap was defined by the horrorcore and personal trauma of Eminem, J. Dilla’s masterful production, or Danny Brown’s drug-aided concept albums. It wasn’t until more recently that Michigan rap became known for what we know now: sinister pianos alongside witty and crass lyrics that make you cover your mouth to muffle your laughter. That, andof basketball references.
By name-dropping the infamous white drug dealer turned government witness , Ray illustrates an intimate knowledge and relation to the dynamics of street activities. “We were going through real-life stuff. Our dog was lost to the streets,” Ray explains. “You talking about Rick, but we need Meech home for upcoming youngsters.”you could argue that Ray was making a savvy effort at mainstream viability.