01 September 2023 - 0 Comments

Filipino-Kiwi alt-pop-hip-hop artist Ray Leslie delivers a cracking new tune Who Do You See, the infectious first single off her up-coming fourth EP Fantasy & Future, set for release on Friday 10 November.

The Tāmaki Makaurau based creative is thrilled to unveil her latest drop and first single since the release of her captivating 2022 EP Dawn.

A fun, catchy alt-pop R&B jam with an alluring groove, Who Do You See tells a story of duality as Ray circles on a deep-dive of uncertainty on her future, posing the question to herself “will my dreams remain a fantasy or come into fruition?”

Stream Who Do You See Across All Platforms Here

Explains Ray: “The line between both worlds is so thin for me, this song highlights one side of who I truly am now - the ambitious, confident Ray, as opposed to who I used to be. It’s a track about confidence and a healthy dose of ego, in looking back at the person I once was to the person I am now - unbothered, unfazed and focused on the important things in life.”

Who Do You See was proudly birthed at Auckland’s Big Pop Studios with resident powerhouse producer Abraham Kunin at the helm. “Abe pulled the track up nonchalantly and I was immediately pulled in. Within five minutes I had the whole intro and hook written, as though the melody was pre-destined for this track,” enthuses Ray.

An innovative artist known for her effortless flow, lyrical flair, and melodic vocals, with her new upcoming body of work Ray continues to evolve her sound as she presses on with her musical journey of self-discovery and growth. Aiming to connect with people through her music, Ray’s appeal comes from her humanity and her relatability, and with her music she tells a story that is both personal and universal.

“Who Do You See questions those in my life who are still stuck on the old version of me - asking them, “Who do you really see?” Because that’s not me anymore. Also an important piece to the puzzle of whether this dream of mine is just a fantasy or my future indeed”, adds Ray.

Within the past five years, Ray has released a total of two albums and three EP’s that have revealed an artist perfecting her sound as she continues to tap into her boundless potential. Last year’s lo-fi aural delight Dog Days  placed on the Top 20 Hot NZ Singles chart and secured airplay on Mai FM, and chill cathartic single Blue Cold  built on the buzz this razor-focused and determined rapper has been creating since first hitting the scene in 2018.

The music video for Who Do You See was produced and directed by Luke Penney, shot by Nick Alexander White, and made with the help and support of NZ On Air.

Hailing from the picturesque island of Cebu in the Philippines, Ray has called New Zealand home since the age of 8. Now 25, the prolific rap talent is continually developing a complex and unique identity in her music, weaponised with elaborate rhyme schemes, taking the listener deep into a range of themes. Her music is not only about personal expression or sonic trends, but about the value of appreciating the present, being fully immersed in the moment, bound by sentiment, love, pain, and connection.

In celebration of the release of Who Do You See, the ambitious Auckland rapper has also curated a special evening of beautiful sounds and sonic tastes at Kingsland’s’ Big Fan Studios on Friday 8 September. Joined by Tāmaki’s emerging and eclectic DJ’s JHL, Lyke Myke, Tuid, rngsus and a special performance from her collective the Light Beings, this party is an unmissable night of future, dance, and connection. Tickets are available from www.undertheradar.co.nz

Ray’s is a diverse voice, and this young, queer rapper is a beaming force of raw hip-hop talent thriving in the Auckland underground music scene. With an ear attuned to rhythm and a mind sensitive to flow, Ray’s distinctive cadence is earning her a solid and impressive reputation as a bold voice in the pioneering alt-hip-hop scene and she revels in the hard-working energy required to persevere as a self-managed indie creator.

As the world remains captivated by the future of the rap genre, Ray Leslie is a unique and dynamic artist who dares to forge her own path. Destined to be one to watch, keep your ear to the ground as Ray Leslie's star rises, and you'll witness an artist evolving into an unstoppable force.

RAY LESLIE PRESENTS: RAY FUTURA

Featuring Ray Leslie * JHL * Lyke Myke * Tuid * rngsus * Light Beings

FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBERBIG FAN, KINGSLAND

Tickets on sale now from undertheradar.co.nz

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