Name: June Gray
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Currently Lives in: Los Angeles
Social Media: Twitter & Instagram: @JuneGrayy
So who is June Gray?
June Gray to me is a blossoming flower, she’s shy and really wants to come out of her shell. Which is usually how I feel most of the time. She’s graceful and edgy.
What is the meaning of June Gray?
It doesn’t really have meaning. My middle name is June and Gray is a color that describes my common mood.
What did you listen to when you were growing up?
When I was growing up, I listened to a lot of rock, metal,and grunge. Then I started to listen more Rap; The Fugees, Kid Cudi, and some others when i was in eighth grade. I started expanded my Rap & Hip Hop knowledge in college.
Who are some of your influences?
One of my big influences is Bob Marley, he’s definitely one of my favorite artists that resonated with me a lot since I was young. I think another one of my influences is probably Willow Smith. She’s awesome. I love her energy and her vibes that she gives off in her music and when she’s performing. I definitely want to show the same amount of looseness and charisma when I’m performing.
When did you start singing?
I’ve pretty much been singing my whole life. I don’t know why I started singing, I just always knew that I could sing since I was young. I went to a performing arts high school as well.
When did you decide to take music seriously as a career path?
I decided to take music seriously once I got kicked out of the collective I was in called Black Sol. It was fine when it first started. Then all of the the sudden after I payed for a studio session, everyone in the group stopped hitting me up
So when you were in Black Sol, you weren’t your own artist necessarily?
I was like interested in doing music but just as a hobby. I didn’t want music to be my career then.
And this was in 2015?
Yes.
How would you describe your music?
Well I would describe my music as very chill. I just like to flow over the beat (make love to it).
What was your last project (The Closet) about?
My last project was about my love life, how it transitioned from the beginning of the summer to the end.
What are some of the prejudices that you face as a black woman that is an artist in 2016?
I feel like often times I’m pinned against other black female artists and our relationship has to be some type of competition because the window of opportunity seems so small. That’s really difficult for me.
Are you working on any projects now?
Right now I’m working on my second EP. I don’t know what I’m going to call it yet but I think I am going to drop it by the end of 2016.