When in doubt, keep it simple. It’s a common, yet effective way of life and one of the few mottos that Arin Ray, the singer, songwriter, and producer, utilizes as he embraces his newest EP, Phases III. Leading up to the release, Arin expressed eagerness and gratitude for the ability to release this latest body of work. Considered the third chapter in the swooner’s multiverse, the 11-track EP clocks in at 26 minutes, giving the listener a sneak peek of Arin’s state of mind.
Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, the 28-year-old has been steadily leaving his mark on the music industry and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. In the past, he’s written songs for the Creed III soundtrack and worked with artists such as Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, and Jeremih to name a few. Peering into the past, it’s no surprise that Arin became the artist he is today. With his father being a drummer for iconic bands like New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe and his mother pushing him to be his best, his path to success was clear. As he eloquently put it, “All you need as a kid is to know that it is possible.” As a father himself, Arin speaks of his son as his battery pack. Fatherhood has allowed the singer to make music that moves people, a claim that he says he couldn’t do before his son’s birth.
As we’ve seen with Kobe Bryant, one of Arin’s biggest inspirations, their evolution as a parent went hand-in-hand with their careers. Adopting the legendary Kobe mentality, Arin is committed to putting in the hard work and getting the job done as he has since he stepped onto the scene back in 2012, appearing on X-Factor. “Doing the job, getting the job done…putting the hard work in and having very little excuses” are the pivotal mamba mentality Arin brings as he progresses through his music career.
For “Wait So Long,” the lead single off Phases III, Arin touches all aspects of his music and the accompanying visuals. From writing most of the project to having a hand in the aesthetic of the music video, giving the director and team a starting point for what he’s looking for, to directing certain shots himself, the multi-hyphenate artist can rest assured he’s done what he needed to do and then some.
Heavily influenced by R&B greats of the 90s and prior, Arin’s Mount Rushmore sees the likes of Michael Jackson, Babyface, and recently, The BeeGees. Whether a casual or a committed fan, the influences are evident in his music. However, Arin self-describes himself as a writer and alternative or a hybrid of sorts when R&B is discussed. Not one to put himself in a box, he simply speaks on what’s on his mind. As he puts it, “I’m just a writer man, I really don’t put myself in a box..I don’t really put a genre on me.” Forgoing the lens of being genre-specific, relationships are a common theme throughout his projects and Phases III is no exception.
As we look at the broader music landscape, Arin and I agreed that, as a whole, the music industry can step it up with the exception of a few artists. Artists such as Kenyon Dixon, Destin Conrad, Chase Shakur, and Tone Stith receive recognition from Arin as making waves in their respective lanes. Originality and independence are crucial, and as Arin said, “Everything comes full circle and we’re cycling out a lot of things that was very repetitive.” On the societal front, the “men vs. women” mentality seen not just in music, but in social media and beyond. Arin intentionally voiced that the current narrative of division needs to end, but gives credit where it’s due and acknowledges that the women have taken over the R&B space, and for good reason.
To enable a smooth transition to a future where the men have solid standing once more, Arin describes Phases III as a body of work where each song tells a unique story, and no one song sounds like the other. For the listener to get the best experience, don’t hit shuffle but listen in order, top to bottom. Being around great creative minds such as Chuck Inglish and Tricky Stewart allowed the Cincinnati artist to create a project he’s proud of. To hone his craft, Arin has learned from those who have been successful for 20+ years, from the likes of Tricky Stewart and The Dream.
For this project, the way he recorded changed, and he made an effort to collaborate more, but aside from that, the creative process remained the same from Phases I to now. As a constant learner with an avid mind, Phases III is a taste of what the album could be. While the album is still in the works, it’s up to the listener to tap into Arin’s latest project and interpret it as you see fit. Consider this EP the appetizer, just enough to keep the crowd appeased until the next project. While Arin credits Atlanta as the place where he would go to make a smash hit, luckily for us, he’s bound to make good music no matter where he is.
With Arin actively touring, he leaves a message for his fans: “I’m here to stay. Tap in, and you won’t be disappointed.”