Brand new exclusive interview with Ian Ray aka Lil Skully

August 14, 2015

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Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals?

A promoter randomly sent the Exposed Vocals link to my twitter inbox

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

My Name is Ian Ray aka Lil Skully. Born in East Chicago, Indiana; raised by my mother and looked after my little sister. I started writing music (2000) in the third grade, when i lost my father. I got the name Lil Skully (2009) from a street crew called “SkullGang” after ninth grade. I started taking music serious (2012) end of my senior year of high school ; Graduated, then i linked up with a big homie in the neighborhood, name Maurice Thomas. Watching him make amazing things happen to survive in the neighborhood at any given moment inspired me to make my dreams a reality in my own way. Knowing that i can create Art and express music at a higher level, I took music to college (2013).

Exposed Vocals: What is your inspiration behind your music?

I’m forever inspired by freedom and Greatness. My past struggles inspire me to grow solid, live smart and let all my hunger and aggression out in the studio.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Nothing is wrong with music sharing, i just feel like there are too many rappers and not enough artists. I give my music away for free because i’m a artist; which means my music is art and i actually want you to hear a message and still be able to vibe with my concept of life.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

I can honestly speak for the young crowd and say it starts within yourself. Your thoughts, your words, your actions, you emotions, and your limits. Accept who you can be and not who you were. Separating yourself from everyone is the #1 sign of growing. Earn your respect and stand for what God gave you. Everyday is another opportunity to reach that goal. Don’t wait 6 years for what you believe in now. Start Now. Today. Right Now. Build for 6 years from now and you’ll look back and thank yourself when your’re 30.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

I’ve made road trip mistakes but I have never made a mistake in a performance. I vibe with the crowd. I talk to crowd. I know what crowd i’m dealing with before i even perform. If they like me, great, If they don’t, its a learning experience. I’ll never give up.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

I haven’t been on tour. Just a few road trips a few times.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

I usually start my songwriting process thinking about whatever month we’re in. Thinking about what season it is. Then think about what am I doing in my life and how I’m blessed to be who I am. What I came from and how am I learning. What I’ve seen and what I vision. What I mean and whats my mission.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? Do you have a Facebook or Twitter? Do you use Bandcamp, Spotify, ExposedVocals or SoundCloud to share your music?

I use Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Exposed Vocals, Soundcloud, MusicClout, DatPiff, SongCastMusic, and etc.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

I dont make embarrassing music. I always get a good laugh out of the old songs.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

If I had a million dollars right now I would invest in more millions through music, college majors, and studies for a few years or until i can buy my mother a big house and a car, support my home town Artists/Business Friends, and build my college team. Spread the wealth so that it comes right back and I will always have a savings for a rainy rainy day.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Right now i am using the newest Apple Mac book with everything studio required installed into it. If not that then I have Mixcraft 6 on my hp laptop.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

My strongest field i feel like is dropping Mixtapes, Hit Singles, Radio spins, and getting good visuals behind every video for youtube, etc

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Im really not too big on the generations much ahead of me. I would want to be in California performing with Wiz Khalifa because he motivates people to be different and he still keep it real legit. He built his way into the game and made a way for his entire team to grind.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I got a hit single dropping every month for now on. Started December 2014 I released a hit called “Holiday Cheers” on soundcloud. Every month will be something different. I just released a Mixtape November 16th 2014 called “Slave Season”. That’s got a few hits i will shoot videos to soon. My main next project will be a EP for 2015. Im starting fresh so the Title is still in the air.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Well that’s why I’m in school and I major in Art and Graphic design. I will study more things like: speech, engineering, construction, business management, audio recording and etc. Attend the national guard after I receive my A.S dgree. Then go for my Master degree in one of my chosen studies.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

I was every bit of 11 -13 years old when i bought 50 cent tape called the Massacre. I loved it because of all the women he had. I respected it because I was wearing the G-Unit clothing all the time. I always wanted the same love and respect no matter what I said I was gone be.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Focusing on myself more than peers, but working with different people to build and progress. Most of all, I simply separate myself and put time into all the things that will build me as a young man in this real world. I can’t worry about the next person because we got obstacles we need to overcome. Like I said before it starts within.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward too for the rest of 2014 and beyond?

Be looking forward to a lot of progress and success. A lot everything like single hits, performances, radio spins, and many more business interactions. Im moving forward towards the future and the time to build is NOW. God Bless ! #Salute

Randy M

Since 2008, I've been dedicated to supporting unsigned artists through ExposedVocals.com, evolving from platform creation to in-depth music reviews and artist discovery. I showcase talent, amplify voices, and share industry insights from legends to empower the next generation of musicians.