Live | Arin Ray

Photographed by Andres Tardio.

An eclectic group gathered to see Arin Ray at The Roxy theater, It was fitting, not just for the diversity of those waiting but for the aesthetically suitability for musicians R&B genre.

Ray’s presence filled the room his, were, quite clearly, infinite. His performance was more than merely auditory; the vibe, the lighting, and his dynamic dancing created a multi-sensory experience. Taking ownership of a stage seemed second nature to him. And it was. Appearing weekly on X-Factor meant he was singing in front of large crowds (and even larger TV audiences) before his career really even started. A performance of “Stressin’ Out” can only be described as a sort of calm before the storm (of vivacity). Relaxation and thoughtful lyrics were merged into a song devoted to those who were, or had been, going through pressured times. Then. The storm. The lighting changed from a soothing blue into a lively red. “We Ain’t Homies” provided a reaction from the filled room that highlighted Arin Ray had really “come a long way since The X Factor”. (“for real, real, real”).

After a mere few minutes on stage, it was clear his talents were not closed to his singing and performing. The door behind observation opens a world of immeasurable abilities. His resume exploding with the most well-known names in the industry; from features with artists such as Kehlani and YG; and lyrical writing for those such as Chris Brown, Ray’s wide-ranging talents combine to create a force of energy. Energy he continued to thank the audience for but, nonetheless, an energy he created.

Photographed by Andres Tardio.