Ray Vaughn Talks Long Beach Roots, TDE Patience, and New Project Launch

Before signing to Top Dawg Entertainment, Long Beach rapper Ray Vaughn wasn’t just dreaming about rap stardom — he was working odd jobs to stay afloat. In a recent appearance on Power 106 Los Angeles, Vaughn peeled back the curtain on a come-up filled with offbeat gigs and setbacks, laying the foundation for his current rise in hip-hop.

“I didn’t want to be nothing else, but I’ve had every job,” Vaughn said, listing stints as an exterminator, cable guy, roofer and pool cleaner. While the jobs were temporary, they taught him about people, pressure and perseverance. At one point, Vaughn joked about getting fired from most of them, admitting, “I was lazy... I wasn’t giving full effort. I was like, this is not what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Those experiences, from dealing with roaches to sharing laughs with construction crews, helped shape Vaughn’s gritty, relatable storytelling. It also gave him the kind of personality that, as he puts it, can reel people in quickly. “Forget being the cool guy. I’m gonna make you laugh,” he said.

Breaking into TDE: When Top Called, Vaughn Answered

Vaughn’s path to TDE came by way of a song collaboration that ended up in the hands of Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, the label’s founder. The plan had been to get J-Rock on the track, but when Top heard Vaughn's voice, he shifted course.

“Top was like, 'Who is that?'” Vaughn recalled. Shortly after, he got a call to come down to the TDE office. The directive: bring five songs that could change his life. Vaughn pulled up with twenty.

That meeting turned into a signing, and for Vaughn, it was a dream realized. “This is my dream label, this is my backyard,” he said. But with that dream came structure. Like many artists on the label, Vaughn had to learn patience. “You think you're gonna run your own program. It don't work like that,” he said. “If it ain't ready, it ain't coming out.”

Balancing Depth and Humor: The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu

At the heart of Vaughn's current rollout is his project The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu, a title that reflects the highs, lows and survival mode of coming of age while broke. “The good is like Ruth's Chris. The bad is sleeping for dinner. And the dollar menu—that’s in between. That saved my life a couple times,” he explained.

Tracks like "Dollar Menu" blend humor and hunger, switching from introspection to swagger in a way that mirrors the chaos of 20-something life. "Sometimes I'm conscious, sometimes I'm not. Sometimes I'm on my poetry tip, other times I'm standing on couches in the club," he said.

The intention behind the project is to introduce listeners to who Vaughn really is—a mix of backpack lyricism, street charisma and layered humor. "I feel like people see me as such a serious artist, but I want to display my personality in the music."

Studio Discipline and Learning From the Roster

As part of TDE, Vaughn has embraced a more disciplined studio environment. He keeps his circle tight during recording sessions, limiting who can give input or hear unfinished material. “I'm not the guy having a party in the studio. Unless it's my birthday,” he said.

He also leans on other TDE artists for guidance. Vaughn noted that he's sought career advice from everyone on the roster except for SZA and Schoolboy Q, with whom he has more personal, non-music conversations. Kendrick Lamar, he says, has offered advice on key decisions.

Still, Vaughn makes it clear: advice is welcome, but he follows his gut. “Everything that didn’t work for you might work for me,” he said. “But if I was leaning that way already and someone I look up to confirms it, then I might go with it.”

Performance and Persona: The Mirror Never Lies

Much of Vaughn’s reputation as a performer comes from raw energy and facial expression—something he hones by spending hours in front of a mirror. He explained that before ever stepping on stage, he studies how he looks while delivering verses, ensuring his physicality matches the emotion.

“People don’t know how to show emotion in their face,” he said. “If you can't show it on camera, you probably ain't gonna show it live.”

That attention to detail is part of what sets him apart on stage. Vaughn has already proven himself with impromptu appearances, including a Halloween show that won over fans who had never heard of him before.

Rising With His Peers and Representing Long Beach

In discussing labelmate Doechii’s recent ascent, Vaughn was quick to praise her talent and timing. "She was already it. Everything was there. She's leading right now," he said, noting that her momentum is also a source of inspiration for him.

As one of the newer voices coming out of Long Beach, Vaughn is aware of the legacy he's stepping into. “It feels like I’m ready to take that baton,” he said. He views The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu as a foundational project—one that introduces his perspective before he explores more expansive creative directions.

Clapping Back and Staying Real

Despite his progress, Vaughn is far from untouchable. He readily admits to being a troll online, clapping back at critics and defending his name. “I'm not that famous yet, so they can get it,” he laughed.

One comment about his daughters drew a particularly sharp response. "That's when I said, 'Isn't that your dad in a wheelchair?' And then I said, 'Didn’t your dog die two days ago?' You should go mourn him instead of talking about my kids."

It’s that mix of humor, rawness and no-holds-barred honesty that makes Vaughn such a compelling figure right now. He’s not chasing a persona; he’s fully himself, even if that means trolling back harder or admitting to stealing an iPhone after someone stole his lunch.

Next Chapter: April 25 and Beyond

The Good, The Bad & The Dollar Menu officially dropped on April 25—a meaningful date that coincided with the release of Vaughn’s brother from an eight-year prison stint, and came just one day before his daughter's birthday. “Perfect timing,” he said.

Now with the project out in the world, Vaughn is focused on building longevity, not just chasing quick hits. “I know this project is about setting the foundation and letting people understand what type of artist I am,” he said. With his voice, humor and resilience, Ray Vaughn has stepped confidently into his moment. And hip-hop seems ready to listen.