Rexx Life Raj, Berkeley’s Very Own

Rexx Life Raj, both as an individual and musician, is refreshing. He’s not interested in the fame, or the clout, or anything in between – he never has been. Instead, he believes what makes people gravitate towards his music is that it is his own unique voice, confident that we all have a voice within us waiting to be found. His music is all about him. While he certainly takes inspiration from artists around him, the way he conflates everything into his personal sound is incredibly insightful and genuine. As a listener, I know everything he produces is fundamentally true to himself, no B.S. involved. In an industry where it is easy to get caught up in appearances, fame, and competition, Raj remains grounded. His goal has always been to produce his own music eventually, something he claims to work towards everyday – a testament to his dedication to hard work and originality.

Raj is a storyteller, each song so personal and rattled off so unapologetically. His own dad used to be a Black Panther, which granted him a unique firsthand exposure to his identity as a Black man, something he’s always been vocal about. Perhaps the most personal story he tells is on the song “Burgundy Regal,” which is about his incarcerated friends. He’s never gone too much into detail about this, but the way he talks about memories from when they were boys inspires a universally relatable sense of nostalgia. It amazes me how his raps are crafted such that while they address his everyday personal narratives, they also inevitably broach those that are larger and more societal.

There is much more to Raj than meets the eye. Right out of high school, Raj was awarded a football scholarship to Boise State, which he took up happily. But even in college, he had a makeshift studio set up in his dorm room. College football was just a detour on the path to the career he always knew he wanted: music.
His background has at least some influence in this. Gospel music was huge in his family (his mom was part of the Marshall Quartet), and he played piano and started making beats at a young age, inspired by artists like Kid Cudi, Lauryn Hill, and other neo-soul creators. Growing up in a creative melting pot like Berkeley also couldn’t have hurt – I mean, the talent around here is insane (guess who he went to high school with? G-Eazy!).

I’ve been a fan of his music from the start. The balance of musicality and beats in his creations makes it the epitome of contemporary R&B. His music is rich and diverse. Out of the 4 EPs and 4 albums he’s dropped, somehow each and every track is deeply interesting. The samples and little musical motifs and jingles he uses contribute to his personal style as an artist, giving us glimpses into his inspiration. His voice ranges anywhere from a soft croon like in “Your Way” with Kehlani, to a bold rap like in “Penthouse at the W,” which he dropped just recently. He has a song for every mood and every emotion, and this versatility is the beauty of his music. Raj is a prime product of the bold, eclectic Bay Area music culture that we are at the heart of (and so proud to represent!).

Humble, down-to-earth, and genuine, Raj is a gem in the music industry. Something about his story and the way he’s stayed true to himself and his roots makes me oddly proud, without even personally knowing him. I know he’s mentioned repeatedly that he isn’t too keen on the idea of fame, but I think his talent deserves to be heard far and wide, so if you’re reading this, go check him out and support this incredible fellow Berkeleyan. You’ll feel the same as I do.