4.21.2021
Video: Morray – “Trenches”
Appearing on Morray’s 4/28 Debut Project Street Sermons, “Trenches” is the Fayetteville, NC Rapper’s Latest Music Video to Arrive in the Wake of His Hot 100 Hit “Quicksand”
Critical Praise:
“Few crooning rappers have his polish, resonance, and soul.” – SPIN
“With only four songs on streaming platforms—all released in 2020—Fayetteville, North Carolina rapper Morray has already proven he’s a hitmaker. His debut single “Quicksand” is undeniable, anchored by the type of hook you get from a Roddy Ricch or Rod Wave song and infused with storytelling and charisma to paint a picture even if you’re unfamiliar with the newcomer.” – Pigeons & Planes
The Video:
Morray is quickly climbing to the top of the rap game with his impassioned and melodic street music. Preparing for his imminent debut project Street Sermons, Morray shares “Trenches,” his latest high-quality video single. Marked by rippling piano and operatic vocal samples, “Trenches” is a heartfelt message from Morray to those currently going through the struggle–he sees them and recognizes his own struggle in theirs. The song is blessed by an impassioned vocal performance from Morray, who leans into his voice’s frayed edges, feeling in his soul every word that he delivers through the mic: “In the hood, you gotta find out what works/And if you get it to work you still end up hurt/And what hurts can make you feel even worse/And what’s worse is that’s not even the worst.”
Set in Morray’s home neighborhood of Fayetteville, NC, the “Trenches” video shines a spotlight on neighborhood denizens young and old, providing a face for the struggle that the rapper describes in his lyrics. The rapper indulges his inner preacher, delivering his verses from the steps of a local church and visits a cemetery to commemorate his fallen friends. Though the circumstances are tough, Morray and his neighbors are able to find joy in community and music. “Trenches” is the latest video from Street Sermons, out April 28th via Pick Six Records/Interscope.
Announced last week during an interview with The Breakfast Club, Street Sermons taps into the spiritual uplift and church-trained singing that makes Morray’s brand of hip-hop so unique, taking unflinching looks at Morray’s youthful struggles and indiscretions and examining his motivations to succeed. The upcoming Street Sermons gives a home to “Quicksand,” the rapper’s debut single which currently sits at #85 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as standout singles like the gospel-inflected “Kingdom,” the hard-nosed betrayal ballad “Switched Up,” and the aspirational “Big Decisions.” Street Sermons releases on April 28th via Pick Six Records/Interscope.
Since last October, Morray has established himself as one of the rap game’s most exciting new artists, earning “one to watch” designations from Complex, Billboard, SPIN, Pigeons & Planes, and many more. Signed to Pick Six Records in partnership with Interscope, he made an instant impact with “Quicksand,” drawing praise from across the industry and the internet. “Quicksand” has over 100 million streams (including YouTube views), and is in current rotation on BET. It is currently charting at #9 on YouTube’s US Music Video chart, at #15 on Shazam’s U.S chart , and at #10 on urban radio. Morray’s hit song can be found on the Rap Caviar, Most Necessary, and The Realest Down South playlists on Spotify and the #OnRepeat, Rap Life and The Plug playlists on Apple Music. Thanks to “Quicksand” and its follow-up releases, Morray earned powerful co-signs from all over the rap game, including from fellow North Carolina rappers J. Cole and DaBaby.
With the upcoming Street Sermons, Morray culminates his meteoric rise and proves that he’s ready to build an artistic legacy and a nest egg for his wife and kids. For an artist with Morray’s talent, the sky is the limit.
Morray is featured on New Music Daily on Apple Music.
Watch “Trenches”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF5u8LOLJ9M
Pre-save Street Sermons: http://morray.lnk.to/StreetSermons
Watch Morray’s recent interview with The Breakfast Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKywcE-373c
Street Sermons tracklist:
1. Mistakes
2. Trenches
3. Quicksand
4. That’s On God
5. Nothing Now
6. Reflections
7. Big Decisions
8. Can’t Use Me
9. Kingdom
10. Switched Up
11. Facade
12. Real Ones
13. Bigger Things
Please contact Michelle or Erin for more info.
The Background:
Morae Ruffin, known professionally as Morray, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter. Best known for his combinations of rapping and singing, Morray’s days as lead singer of his church choir heavily influenced his melodic and unique style. Growing up in Fayetteville, NC and getting in and out of trouble, Morray turned to music as his escape. He uses his real life struggle as inspiration for his music.
Links:
instagram | twitter | youtube | soundcloud | spotify
“Trenches”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF5u8LOLJ9M
Pre-save Street Sermons: http://morray.lnk.to/StreetSermons
“Kingdom”: https://picksix.ffm.to/kingdom / https://picksix.ffm.to/kingdomvid
“Big Decisions”: https://picksix.ffm.to/bigdecisionsvid / https://picksix.ffm.to/bigdecisions
“Low Key”: https://picksix.ffm.to/lowkey / https://picksix.ffm.to/lowkeyvid
“Switched Up”: https://picksix.ffm.to/suvid.opr / https://picksix.ffm.to/switchedup
“Quicksand”: https://picksix.ffm.to/qsvid.opr