Rexx Life Raj
On the Beauty In The Madness
By Lulu Moore
ARTIST FEATURE
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ARTIST FEATURE 〰️
On July 15th Bay-Area R&B/hip-hop singer Rexx Life Raj dropped The Blue Hour, his most intimate album to date, via EMPIRE. The twelve-song project is an honest retelling of Raj’s mental state in the immediate aftermath of his mother's passing. Raj is often praised for his world-building, however, he takes it to the next level on this project.
Juggling with the concept of immortality, the album is by no means a casual listen. Instead of speaking about death as a strident and abrupt trauma, Raj expresses the indissoluble pain of watching a loved one slowly transition. Despite the anguish that Raj openly admits to experiencing, The Blue Hour is not defined by sadness. The album masterfully speaks to those sensitive to polarity and nuance––it comforts souls that understand the full range of what it means to be human.
Whether you’re screaming into your pillow or crying in the club, The Blue Hour is a sonic rendering of the highs and lows of grief. We speak to Raj about his creative process, the Bay Area, and how to maintain stablity throughout turbulent periods.
Rexx Life Raj! Thank you so much for speaking to us, and huge congrats on the July 15th release of your new album, The Blue Hour. In your own words, can you walk us through the inspiration and the motif behind the project? What does this album mean to you?
This album is my personal exploration of grief. Just navigating feelings and emotions in a way that I hope people can connect with because I know I'm not the only person going through it. It’s kind of like a journal of a lot of the things I was, and still am, going through.
Being an artist in the modern world is no small feat. Who are the people and what are the activities/experiences that help you slow down and remain grounded in this faced paced world?
Really just family and friends. I'm lucky to be surrounded by not only love but people who consciously keep it real with me and keep me grounded.
The Blue Hour Cover Artwork / Click to Listen!
What songs are you most proud of on the project? Why do they hold a special place in your heart?
Really the entire album. It’s hard to pick one. I think the ones that resonate on a deeper level with me are ‘Reappear,’ ‘Hands and Knees,’ ‘Sunset Over College Park,’ and ‘Best Of Me’ because I wrote those in the same room my mother passed away in. To me, they’re imbued with a different energy.
What do you hope the listener takes away from the album and how do you hope your art will make fans feel?
Really just any type of healing or help through the grieving process. I know how much music did for me in my lowest moments and I want to be able to give those feelings of hope to someone else.
You’ve mentioned that you’re here to “put on for the Bay Area, in the most positive light.” In what ways did the Bay help shape you into the person you are today?
The Bay literally made me who I am. I feel like what I'm doing is important because the Bay Area rap scene has always been known for a very particular sound and culture. Artists like myself show that there are many different styles and facets of the Bay Area musical experience. I'm shining a light on the parts that are frequently talked about.
Do you have a mantra or saying that helps guide you as a moral compass? If so, what’s the story behind it?
Not specifically. I just tried to consume as much material about growth and positivity as possible so it’ll always be in my subconscious.
Seeing as you’ve been releasing music since 2014, what are some of the biggest changes within the industry? In your opinion, have those changes helped or hurt the artists?
I think people's attention spans are way shorter because there is so much content to consume. On top of that, it’s almost like just having good music isn’t enough. You need to have a personality, brand, a lifestyle –– something to compliment the music because people really want to connect on a deeper level.
What advice would you give to an artist trying to enter the music industry today?
Stay consistent and aim to perfect your craft. The trends are a trend for a reason, they come and go. But great art is undeniable. Aim to be great.