At 48, Raytoine Gray Sr. has lived a life few could imagine—surviving gunshots, knife attacks, a brutal car accident, and more than 56 medical procedures, including multiple amputations. But instead of letting tragedy define him, he’s turned his scars into songs. Music Times UK sat down with the Virginia artist to talk resilience, raw honesty, and his upcoming project, Still Breathing.
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Music Times UK: Raytoine, your story reads like a film script—gunshots, knife wounds, even a police dog attack. How do you keep going?
Raytoine Gray Sr.: Honestly? My kids, my faith, and my purpose. That’s my foundation. I believe
I’m still here for a reason. Everything I’ve been through—it wasn’t just random pain. It was preparation.
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MT: When did music become part of that purpose?
Raytoine: From the start. Growing up in Roanoke, there wasn’t a lot of comfort. I didn’t have fancy equipment, just a notebook and my voice. Writing rhymes became my therapy. It was the only way to take chaos and turn it into something that made sense.
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MT: A lot of artists talk about “keeping it real,
” but your life is the definition of raw. Who nfluenced your sound?
Raytoine: Legends like Tupac, DMX, Scarface. They didn’t sugarcoat reality, and neither do I. I don’t make filler music. I make survival music—songs that speak to people who feel like giving up but need a reason to keep fighting.
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MT: Fans compare you to Rocky Balboa—a fighter who never quits. Do you relate to that?
Raytoine: [Laughs] Yeah, I hear that a lot. Rocky wasn’t supposed to win. He didn’t have the resources, but he had heart. That’s me. Life hit me harder than any boxer, but I’m still standing—and still swinging.—
MT: Tell us about your upcoming EP, Still Breathing.
Raytoine: Still Breathing is my life in audio. It’s grit, it’s soul, and it’s unapologetic truth. Every track is a chapter of survival. And I’m bringing in other independent artists who share that hunger for authenticity.
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MT: Beyond music, what’s next for you?
Raytoine: I’m working on a foundation to support people with disabilities in creative fields. A lot of talented people feel limited because of physical challenges, and I want to change that narrative.
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MT: For fans reading this—how can they join your journey?
Raytoine: Connection. Listen, share, and spread the message. Hit me on social media, stream the music, be part of the movement. This is bigger than me—it’s about hope for anyone who feels like their pain is permanent.
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Raytoine Gray Sr. isn’t just making music—he’s rewriting what survival sounds like. His message is simple but powerful: “Your pain doesn’t have to be your ending—it can be your opening act.
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Follow Raytoine: https://ffm.to/dxba0xb
