Written by: Matthew Polito
(Owner of "The Atomic Pop Shop" Record Store Baton Rouge,LA)
I've been friends with Rad(Radical Ray) since his freshmen year of college. I own a record shop locally here in Baton Rouge and I let Rad and his band play here a few times. I tend to check in on him and his future endeavors as he elevates through life. At such a young age (23) he has a mind of a spoil rich kid that grow-up in the 80s and is trying to learn how to maneuver in the world, at the same time, not of the world. Its one reason why i like this kid and his music, and i know music, i own a record store. Just imagine being a kid that was into the total opposite of what the environment was giving off, being spoiled as in getting anything and everything you ever wanted, but could never be satisfied because of the circumstances brought upon you. Growing up in lower-middle class. but walking to school wearing $200 dollar shoes.
Matthew: So, first off, how has your summer been my friend?
Rad: Yo, thanks for asking, it's been the worst by far, great weed though, but to be honest I haven't had a good summer in years. (laughter)
Matthew: Oh wow, why?
Rad: Don't get me wrong bro, I'm good. It's all personal, but as for the tunes, you know I've been pumping music like crack,you know i treat it like crack sometimes, I treat all my branches like I sell drugs.
Matthew: Hence "Audio Dope". Right?
Rad: Audio dope, clothing dope, branding drug house. I got the slang "Audio Dope" from my favorite rapper Curren$y, he stamped it, I use it in my lingo and my music as way of paying homage, mega time. I got some dope for you today actually, I left a few copies of my latest shit(BeachFrontSpaceCaptain) on your desk.
Matthew: Thank You brother, but I got to let you know, I downloaded it when it dropped, the cover had me excited, and everything I expected from you came to life on this tape. Your persona breaks through a little, I know that's one thing you're on task with and that's your persona. What was the ultimate inspiration with this last project(BeachFrontSpaceCaptain)?
Rad: I have been doing a project every month since January, and that's not really an easy concept to make true if you not really a hard working artist. I mean, yeah you can do it, but will they be good? In my opinion, I took my time and did well, by recording tracks by the truck load and spreading my wild oats on these tracks. I did it with LifeStyle Demo, 3Cigs with BassNectar, RadVanDam, and on and on. My latest is "Beach Front Space Captain", it's based off a game concept I came up with, it's about a space captain who kicks bad guy alien ass on this planet that has water and sand. He drives a 80s Z28 in space. Can't get better than that. The music is just the score of the game, from top to end. Even "Flower Child", I see our hero in the game, fighting for his love interest. I don't know(laughter) its art, its pure fun.
Matthew: I can see that. You're a weird guy Ray. Since?
Rad: Since I can remember, I think I am just a fan of Subculture, like just the whole idea of there is something different then what was given, or different from what we already know.
I was the dude in school wearing pink shoes and listening to alternative 90s rock loud as hell on the bus or the walk to school, and people looking stupid but my pink shoes cost $200 shams.
Matthew: $200 dollars!? Dame. What were those?
Rad: Bape.
Matthew: So, what's next for RadVanDam?
Rad: More dope being cooked, I am going to the studio after lunch today. You know I don't play, you know i pump tracks. I want to focus more on the marketing and advertising part of the game right now, trying to see how to add pieces together for my puzzle of a brand. Once that's built i can properly promote my messages out the right way. I just want to continue to spread this free knowledge, spreading the message of owning your own and building your own, all under the influence of pot.
DOWNLOAD LINK: Beach Front Space Captain
