CraveOnline: Coming straight out of Cleveland, how did you get your start as a rapper?? 

Ray Cash: Man, I always been a music head growing up -- It's everywhere. We came up in the real MTV, BET, era, when it first popped off. So, it was music videos, and music playing all the time where I'm from. So, I was always attracted to it. In high school, I would bullsh*t, people get to bang on the table, (and) I'd get to freestyling. Instead of taking notes (in class), I'd be in there writing raps, but it wasn't that serious to me (then). After about, like, (age) 21, (that's when I decided to really do this). 

CraveOnline: How did you come to the attention of Sony Music?? 

Ray Cash: I wasn't doing the mixtape sh*t or none of that. (I wasn't) a local rapper in the 'hood -- None of that sh*t. Nobody knew I could rap. It was just if it happened, (or) if it didn't, (I'd just) keep living. I didn't want to make that my only goal, but the f!@#$% up part (is) I had nothing else to do. My man Kev [Woo] (introduced me to) Hip-Hop, he was an A&R at Rocafella, (and) Hop introduced Kev to 'KP' [Kawan "KP" Prather, Executive VP A&R Sony Music Urban]. 'KP' heard the music and he (was), like, "I like this kid!!" He liked it for the right reason. He seen what I was trying to do. He flew me (out to) see what I look like. He seen I was a real (brotha), and I seen he was a real dude. It was like, "Why not??" You gotta take a chance. Let's take it and see what happens -- It's a good situation. 

CraveOnline: Why did you choose the name Ray Cash?? 

Ray Cash: Well, Ray that's my name. It's what my mother calls me, (and) everybody in the streets. I didn't want to have a name that just meant the music. Like Ray's my name, and the money's the purpose of this -- Cut the check!! (It's) what I do this for. Everything I say is money. I'm not gonna lead you wrong. It's not gonna be no misconceptions of me, or my city, or no sh*t like that. 

CraveOnline: What is the music scene really like in the C-Town?? 

Ray Cash: In Cleveland we like to call it, 'Slang,' We open the doors (in) the cars, (and) you got door speakers all over the panel -- Actin' a fool!! (It's) sort of like 'Ghost Ridin' the Whip.' (As far as my own music,) I really can't describe it. And, to me that's good 'cause I never wanted to be pigeon-holed. Where I come from there's so many influences I have, a little bit of everything. I don't really do it on purpose (either). Any type of flavor you want to give me, I can match it. (I) just do my own thing like a chameleon. I can do whatever. You can't pigeon-hole my style -- It's different, it's something new. 

CraveOnline: Your album is titled Cash On Delivery -- How come?? 

Ray Cash: First of all, Cut the Check!! Second of all, it's time. I know people been waiting on somebody that could actually rap. There's people that miss the actual emcee/lyricist, on some real hood sh*t, with a swagger, the personality and all that sh*t. People want that sh*t. That's the sh*t that I grew up on. That's what made me want to do this sh*t, and ain't a lot of that in the game now. So for me to bring that back, it's like that's the sh*t. Cash On Delivery -- I'm here (for the) longevity. 

CraveOnline: What will keep you relevant in this day & age?? 

Ray Cash: I ain't threatening the people. I think I present a swagger that's warm to 'em. You ever seen a person, a rapper, a singer, whoever person whose music you like, (and) you like, "Damn, I'd like to kick it with them. They seem like they cool and sh*t??" That's what I'm bringing across to the people. When they do finally meet me, or speak (to me), it's like, "Damn, that's a good dude!!" So, the people gotta want you around for the longevity. If the people don't want you around, it don't matter if the labels pick you up or not. So, it's like I'm always in the midst of the people. (I'm in) the streets, ('cause) them the people that's gonna keep you around. You just show people you genuine, man -- Do you. Don't step on nobody's toes to get your money. (If) you don't cut too many throats in the open, (then) you good, man. 

CraveOnline: I understand you also have some side ventures that you are planning to launch... 

Ray Cash: Yeah, I want to do a lot of sh*t for the crib. I'm trying to start a non-profit organization, right now, for the kids or what have you. We're putting that in the works (now). As far as my future with music, I got a real good ear for music, a real good ear, and doing this really showed me that 'cause I even help other people. I wouldn't mind being an A&R one day. I wouldn't mind doing that, 'cause I do want to stay around the music as long as possible. 

CraveOnline: What's a typical off-day like in the life of Ray Cash??               

Ray Cash: Chillin' with my son, man. Chillin' with the kids, (and) doing me. Hanging out with the fellas, smoking. I be at home, man. I be outside with my peoples. They outside doing their run, too, the same sh*t I used to do, but I ain't doing it now. I'm just out there with 'em. People roll down the street, they gotta double-back to make sure that was me. That's what you'll see me doing, man -- Just chillin'. I keep myself grounded by staying the same dude, in and out of the music. Ain't no airs being put on. Ain't no fabrication being put on. At the same time, (I'm) being smart (too), but it's like, "Why leave if you ain't got to??" 

CraveOnline: Are you happy with the state of Hip-Hop?? 

Ray Cash: I f!@#$ with everybody that's doing something right. You got Rick Ross, you got (Yung) Joc, (Young) Jeezy, Chamillionaire. You got a lot of people poppin' off right now, and they're (all) different regions and everything. The Hyphy Movement poppin'. It's good to see different sh*t. It's different movements going on. I mean you hearing Jay (Z) more and more, so that's always a good feeling. So, yeah, It's like I'm comfortable 'cause still in my situation there's nobody like me, and I'm like nobody. I'm the new dude, (and) I'm getting a lot of respect for being the new dude. (I) carry myself real respectable, so I'm happy with it right now. 

CraveOnline: Tell me that particular moment where you realized that you've really made it into the big leagues...       

Ray Cash: The biggest sh*t to happen to me since we been doing this music, man, was after I did the 'Bumpin' My Music' video, and I remember being at home, and it came on TV. I wasn't really paying attention to it, 'cause I don't really watch videos like that. I might see my video 34 times just flipping through the channels, 'cause everybody tell me they see it every day and sh*t. My son standing there, he was by the TV, and I look at him, and he looking at the TV, (he) look at me, (then) look back at the TV, and says, "Dad, Hey!!" He noticed that was me, and that was the best sh*t right there. That's why I do this -- (That's) cool sh*t right there.

CraveOnline: Is there anything you want to leave our readers with??

Ray Cash: Cash On Delivery (out now) -- Holla at ya boy!! See, they rating my album real high, (so) I must be the sh*t. So, just f!@# with me, man. I'm here to restore the feeling, man. If you miss a (brotha) that can rap, cop that sh*t -- They know who I am, they know who I be.