From the West Side of Chicago to the bright stages of Atlanta, Styngray is proving that independent hustle still hits hardest. His new single, “Be Mine”, produced by the acclaimed Mr. Hanky and featuring the soulful voice of Chertrease, marks a bold shift—emotionally rich, radio-ready, and already making noise on charts from Mediabase to DRT. Following the grit of his breakthrough hit “Unbreakable”, Styngray now leans into melodic vulnerability without losing the lyrical bite he’s known for. In this exclusive interview, we tap into his creative shift, his poetic realism philosophy, and the cross-city journey that’s shaped his unshakable grind.
“Be Mine” is a whole vibe—smooth, but still got that weight to it. What made you switch gears from the grind of “Unbreakable” to something this personal and melodic?
I create according to the vibe of the music I receive. I believe artists should be able to give listeners a variety of emotional experiences…
You describe your sound as “poetic realism.” Break that down for the people—what does that mean in the context of this track and your overall grind?
Poetic realism is life’s truth arranged artistically to create entertainment for listeners.
You linked up with Mr. Hanky on this one—he’s known for cookin’ up hits. What was that session like, and how did y’all land on this sound?
I met Hank on the music grind, and he agreed to work with me. I had the idea to use the track for “Be Mine,” and I brought it to him, and he put his magic on it.
Chertrease bodied that hook. How’d y’all connect, and what made her the right voice to bring this joint to life?
I saw her quite a few years ago. I was shooting pool in the back of a lounge and heard her singing in the front. I came up and got her information, and I always knew I wanted to work with her, and fate finally came to pass. I wrote and arranged the hook.
You’re climbing the charts as an indie—#108 Mediabase, #7 DRT global. That’s not easy with no major push. What’s the secret sauce behind your independent hustle?
I appreciate the compliment because it’s much harder than people think being independent. You have to have a hit and enough coins to get some motion.
Chicago raised you, New York sharpened you, and now ATL is the home base. How do those three cities live in your music and in your mindset?
Crazy, yeah, the journey has been unbelievable. Chicago taught me everything about the hustle and the streets. NYC taught me everything about music and hip-hop, and Atlanta feels like the promised land.
You’ve rocked stages from the iLounge to Sweet Auburn Fest and even got tapped by Turner Broadcasting. Which moment made you say, “Yeah… I really do this”?
I had a show called Whose Got That Vibe hosted by Da Brat, and I was chosen as a finalist. That show led to a request performance at Turner Broadcasting, and that was very encouraging.
“Be Mine” shows a softer side, but your bars still cut. How do you balance storytelling, emotion, and street energy without losing yourself?
I think you need to focus on not being somebody in particular but understanding its all about the experience of your fans.
You’ve named Nas, Jay-Z, LL, and Prodigy as influences. What’s a gem you picked up from those legends that stays with you every time you hit the booth?
With those guys, I’d say passion and honor for your craft. If you’re going to do it, try to be the best.
What’s next for Styngray? New visuals? More drops? And what do you want people to feel when they press play on “Be Mine”?
I’m looking forward to presenting the new music. I need you fans to go and show the support. I feel like we’re about to change the game. Lets get some new artist on board…
Both singles—“Be Mine” and “Unbreakable”—are available now at FirstKingsEnt.com/music, where fans can directly support the artist. As Styngray continues to rise, his unique voice and unrelenting drive make him a standout name to watch in today’s independent Hip-Hop movement.
