You might know Ray Angry from the Roots, but he’s an artist in himself. He is a pianist, composer, and producer, and while he is wearing multiple hats right now, his creativity is still flowing no matter how busy he gets. He also owns a record label called Mister Goldfinger where he meets new talent in his studio all the time. His new album called Ray Angry 3 is an ode to his heroes and all the close friends he lost within the past few years including the legendary Prince.
I sat down with the busy entrepreneur to talk all this and more.
The Knockturnal: How are you today?
Ray Angry: I’m really good today.
The Knockturnal: You wear multiple hats: Pianist, composer, producer. Which do you like the most and why?
Ray Angry: I love creating. I like being a composer because then I can play whatever I want or thinking.
The Knockturnal: Do you think we live in a music world with a variety of styles of 2023 versus the 90s?
Ray Angry: The 90s were special in its own way. You had D’Angelo, Common, Tupac. You had NWA. I think music evolves. Now, I think music is becoming like gumbo—you have a lot styles mixing in. Afrobeat is becoming very popular. People are telling more stories. I think people are telling more acceptable of hearing new stories.
The Knockturnal: How do you find new talent for your label, Mister Goldfinger?
Ray Angry: You know, it’s interesting I’ve been producing since 2018. I want to connect artists with new situations. I have artists come through. Being able to connect artists by just being in a room is how I discover talent.
The Knockturnal: You have a new album on the way. Can you tell me more about it?
Ray Angry: The album Ray Angry 3 is about relationships. It’s about my experience working in the music industry. It’s also dedicated to my heroes: Prince, my late parents, etc. I wanted to put together something personal.
The Knockturnal: Black Athena Power is a score you put together. How’d you get involved in that?
Ray Angry: I received a commission from the Lexington Symphony to write a new orchestral work. I wanted to write something that would speak to humanity on a basic level—and that level is power. I think there is a power struggle whether it be interpersonal or intrapersonal or external. I feel like there are power struggles, so I wanted to write something that spoke to that.
The Knockturnal: What’s the status of the Roots?
Ray Angry: The Roots 50th Anniversary tour is what’s next. The Roots have an album coming out called End Game. Questlove has so many things he’s doing right now.
The Knockturnal: What is missing in hip hop today?
Ray Angry: With social media it’s hard to gauge because you can be famous off a Tik Tok video. It’s about mainstream accepting that.
The Knockturnal: What’s next on your plate?
Ray Angry: I’m working on this project on called Out of Breath about sleep apnea, a film called the Lockdown, and potentially a television show.