RAY VAUGHN GETS PERSONAL ON HIS LATEST
Ray Vaughn ft Ash Leone - FLAT Shasta (Rayo, Joey Ram, Emanuel Keller)
** Updated 3/25/25 **
Is there anyone working as hard as upcoming superstar Ray Vaughn? It’s been 5 days since releasing the video for his single “CEMETERY Lanterns”, which came 6 days after releasing the single itself on February 28th. Which came 3 weeks after the previous single, “Impossible Patty.” Releasing content and singles at this blistering pace is just one of many reasons why Ray will be a name remembered for years to come.
And another reason is his lyricism and songwriting ability, because quantity isn’t the name of the game. And on this new release “FLAT shashta”, Ray get’s very personal and starts talking about events from his life. He gives listeners an inside peek at the turmoil going on behind the scenes as he wraps up his first album with a song dedicated to his mother. If it had to be described, FLAT shasta sounds like the audible form of the 5 stages of grief. Like a helpless depressing trudge through childhood trauma, worry, regret, and the painful recognition of being absolutely powerless in a situation. This is artistry in its rawest and purest form, a real look into the mind of Ray Vaughn.
“ KNOWING IT’S BEEN A COUPLE MONTHS
SINCE WE SPOKE
SO I TRY TO BREAK THE TENSION
WITH A JOKE, TRUTH IS…
MOMMA YOU NEED MEDS FOR SCHIZO
BUT YOU WON’T TAKE IT
IF YOU LOSE ALL YOUR MARBLES
YOU AIN’T GONE HAVE NONE TO PLAY WITH
A BLACK WOMAN WHO CRYIN FOR HELP
AND I’M TRYNA SAVE HER
THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO BE CALLED
IN THIS WORLD IS CRAZY ”
This is undoubtedly a heavy record, and the most brutally honest song Ray has ever released. Produced by frequent collaborator Rayo (Tyla - Water, Chris Brown - It’s Giving Christmas), Joey Ramirez III, and Emanuel Keller, FLAT is a gray-toned somber boom bap beat that feels reminiscent of Eminem’s “Stan.” A heavy depression hangs from a haunting background vocal and a driving acoustic guitar ducking behind Ray’s trauma-dump. It all culminates in a track you’ll need to run back a few times to truly understand just how much he’s been going through recently, and to catch a glimpse of what built up the man you see today. Early feedback has been positive as people eagerly await his project.
“We all know Ray can rap rap, but hearing all these emotional and vulnerable songs from him recently has me amped up for his next project.” - @leagolekganyane
**Update 3/25/25**
Ray has dropped the video for Flat Shasta, posted above. Directed by Hatch and filmed in Washington D.C., this video is all business and comes off more like a short film bringing the lyrics to life. Young Ray Vaughn is helpless watching his mother’s incessant drinking, addiction issues, and abusive relationships. This is juxtaposed with grown Ray trying to reason with her and expressing himself in a way he couldn’t articulate as a child.
Make no mistake, the video is very heavy and gives a slight look into what made Ray into the man he is today. The video wraps with a shot of both young and grown Ray at the kitchen table, both emptily staring at his mother as she yells about who knows what to her stoic son. Grown Ray just sadly turns his attention to his younger self, pitying the situation knowing where it leads in the future. And a final plea/refrain to her before resolving back to being helpless again. Give the video a watch above.
