| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ray V, TDE Father |
| Date of Birth | September 15, 19931 |
| Known For | Storytelling, lyrical skill, emotional honesty |
| Profession | Rapper, Songwriter, Performing Artist |
| Physical Stats | |
| Age | Approx. 28 (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 70 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Signature |  |
| Career | |
| Career Debut Song | Top Shottas Freestyle (2021 under TDE) |
| First Mixtape | The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu (2025) |
| Dream Collaborations | Kendrick Lamar, Ye (Kanye West), André 3000, T.I. |
| Frequent Collaborators | Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad |
| Label | Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), RCA Records (from 2025) |
| Personal Life | |
| Full Name | Ray Vaughn |
| Age | 31 (as of 2025) |
| Relationship Status | Committed |
| Girlfriend Name | Lyssa Lott2 |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Eastside Long Beach, California |
| Controversy | |
| Controversy | Feud with Joey Bada$$ after releasing diss track “Hoe Era” (2025) |
| Preferences & Interests | |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian (assumed) |
| Hobbies | Writing, Freestyling, Performing live |
| Famous Quote | “I’m the cloth of the Kendricks, the Coles, the Drakes, the Meeks…” |
| Favourites Singer | Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg |
| Favourites Food | Dollar Menu/fast food (symbolic) |
| Favourites Travel | New York, Atlanta (frequent stops) |
| Favourites Songs | “Look @ God,” “JANKY moral COMPASS,” “Problems” |
| Social Media | |
| Instagram Handle | @ray.vaughn |
| Spotify | @rayvaghn |
| YouTube Channel | Search “Ray Vaughn TDE Freestyle” for verified content |
| Earnings & Assets | |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $500,000 – $1 million (as of 2025) |
| Income Source |
|
Some Verified Facts about Ray Vaughn from Instagram, Reddit & Youtube
Who is Ray Vaughn and how did he start rapping? (Pre-2020)
- Ray Vaughn is a rapper from Long Beach, California known for his Eastside pride and emotionally honest lyricism. He began rapping at age 12, drawing inspiration from Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Fabolous, and Drake all of whom shaped his early style.10
View this post on Instagram
- Before music became his focus, Vaughn worked various jobs like pool cleaner, exterminator, and more to make ends meet. These experiences not only fueled his grind but directly shaped his lyrical themes.
“I was doing pool cleaning, exterminator work… I was tired of that 9‑to‑5 lifestyle. Music became my escape, my creative outlet.”11
- He has said music gave him the freedom he couldn’t find in day jobs which gave him a theme that resonates in his hustle-driven lyrics and early mixtape content.12
When did Ray Vaughn sign with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE)?
- Ray Vaughn signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2021 marking the beginning of his mainstream rap career. The signing followed years of independent grind and a standout performance before label founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. 13
“Top was like, ‘Who is that?’… The directive: bring five songs that could change his life. Vaughn pulled up with twenty.”
— Ray Vaughn describing Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith’s reaction to his early work and how it led to his signing14
- His lyrical sharpness was on full display during an early Power 106 inteview freestyle where he delivered bars over Snoop Dogg’s “Lay Low” and Beanie Sigel’s “Feel It in the Air.”15
- Since signing, Vaughn has used Instagram to consistently spotlight behind-the-scenes moments with TDE artists like Jay Rock and Isaiah Rashad proving his identity as a rising voice within the label’s new era.16
- Ray Vaughn’s recent fame may rival the momentum of BabyChiefDoit, whose net worth breakdown shows how independent artists are monetizing early.
How did Ray Vaughn grow his fanbase in 2022 and 2023?
- Ray Vaughn expanded his fanbase in 2022–2023 through a mix of live performances, Instagram reels and cross-platform visibility. A pivotal moment came when a viral performance video filmed in New York City showcased his crowd engagement and lyrical intensity reaching many East Coast fans who hadn’t seen him perform before.17
- “I’m very tough‑skinned… I could be going through hell, and I’ll be like, ‘somebody’s going through worse, or went through worse, and they figured it out.’ So I wasn’t complaining or trying to make the worst of it. I made light of it so it didn’t beat me down. I’m not that type of person.”
— Ray Vaughn, reflecting on his early life, challenges, and drive18 - He reinforced his identity through Instagram where his bio reads: “TDE Father. Sometimess I rap. Sometimes I’m funny. Follow Me To The Eastside” which is a blend of humor, authenticity and Long Beach pride.19
- Vaughn also made an appearance on The Cruz Show further building recognition beyond music platforms.20
- His performance content and reels not only showcased his artistic skill but allowed fans to witness his growth from independent talent to rising voice in hip-hop.
- To better understand where Ray Vaughn stands compared to rising drill stars check out this deep dive into top Chicago drill rappers in 2025.
What made 2024 a breakout year for Ray Vaughn?
- In 2024, Ray Vaughn gained national attention through major performances, viral content and a powerful single rollout. He performed his track “Problems” live at Kendrick Lamar’s “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” show on June 19th 2024 marking his debut on a major stage.21
- Later that year, he launched “Look @ God” via a cinematic Instagram campaign that included stylized visuals and snippets. The track focused on self-reflection, faith, and personal growth and was praised by fans for its vulnerability.22
- His Instagram account @ray.vaughn surged past 534,000 followers offering a mix of freestyles, behind-the-scenes footage and deeply personal captions.19
“If it wasn’t those people, it was going to be somebody else. I’m a firm believer that that’s what God had for me. I figured if I don’t do this …”23
- At Rolling Loud, he performed to an enthusiastic crowd and a reel titled “Ray Time” documented both his stage presence and his growing mainstream recognition including coverage in Rolling Stone.24
- One viral post captioned “Trust me I’m paying close attention. 👁️” sparked engagement and showcased his ability to connect with fans through cryptic yet relatable content.
- Throughout 2024, Ray continued to highlight his Long Beach and Eastside roots by grounding his storytelling in real neighborhoods and lived experience.25
What is Ray Vaughn’s mixtape “The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu” about? (2025)
- Ray Vaughn’s 2025 mixtape “The Good, The Bad” & “The Dollar Menu” explores themes of struggle, ambition and economic survival blending emotional vulnerability with sharp lyricism. Released on April 25th 2025 under Top Dawg Entertainment the project features standout tracks like “Look @ God” and “JANKY moral COMPASS.”26
- Critics praised the mixtape for its raw honesty and united storytelling calling it one of the most emotionally resonant TDE projects in recent years.27
- In May 2025, Vaughn followed up with “Hoe Era” a diss track aimed at Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era sparking major conversations in the hip-hop world.28
- “Being broke. I had the title before I even made the project. I want this to speak to everyone … everybody relates to the dollar menu.”
- In June 2025, Vaughn was named to the XXL Freshman Class with BabyChiefDoit & others which is an annual list highlighting emerging hip-hop artists. His selection was an important step in his mainstream career. In response to public criticism, Vaughn addressed his inclusion through Instagram Stories by defending his position and reinforcing his artistic credibility.29
- His journey from indie beginnings to joining TDE and earning a spot in XXL’s 2025 Freshman class is visible throughout his Instagram where each post and feature reflects his growing presence in the mainstream.30
- PGF Nuk, like Ray, blends street realism with lyrical impact. Learn more about his story and rise in this detailed drill artist profile
How did Ray Vaughn respond to criticism?
Ray Vaughn responded to criticism with confidence and self-assurance particularly after being mentioned on the Rory & Mal podcast. Instead of ignoring it, he addressed the remarks through Instagram by using the moment to reaffirm his artistic credibility and pride in his work.31
“I feel like I’m the cloth of the Kendricks, the Coles, the Drakes, the Meeks…”32
In interviews with Power 106 and Off The Porch, Vaughn discussed his resilience, Long Beach upbringing his path to TDE. Media have described him as a “good kid in a mad city” known for blending vulnerability with lyrical grit.33
- Unlike BabyChiefDoit dating rumors across Instagram and TikTok, Ray has remained largely private about his personal life preferring to let the music speak.
What is Ray Vaughn’s rap style and artistic vision?
Ray Vaughn’s rap style blends emotional vulnerability with lyrical sharpness often reflecting personal struggle, resilience, and ambition. His artistic vision comes through gritty visuals and introspective interviews portraying both street realism and inner growth. He frequently references dream collaborations with Ye, Kendrick Lamar, André 3000 and T.I. showing his commitment to lyricism and authenticity.34
Disclaimer: This article was fact-checked and edited by a human with light assistance from AI for structure and formatting efficiency.
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
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