— Following the release of his debut album, Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ray Vaughn makes his first stop in Atlanta, GA as he embarks on the Drive-Thru Menu Tour.
Rapper Ray Vaughn has had an incredible year significantly contributing to the tremendous run his label (and really the entire west coast) has been on since Kendrick Lamar kicked things off last March. Using this opportunity to showcase his own greatness, Ray not only backed his coast in spirit, but also sent fiery bars at Joey Bada$$ and any other east coast challenger that spoke up. Dropping some of his toughest bars to date in the process with songs like “Golden Eye” and “Hoe Era,” the Long Beach native turned right around and delivered one of this year’s best albums with his TDE debut, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu. In support of the album, Ray Vaughn launched a 4-city tour and, lucky for us, we were able to catch its opening night in Atlanta, GA.
Held at The Vinyl in Midtown Atlanta, the first night of the Drive-Thru Menu Tour was quite a noteworthy experience. Starting the tour far from home on the opposite side of the country, Ray exuded an aura of familiarity that cultivated an intimate vibe throughout the night. With fans filling up the entire venue — even having Atlanta icon DC Young Fly with him stageside — it was clear that Ray’s music and message connected with Atlanta’s music-loving community in a major way and his uninhibited demeanor only made himself and the show more appealing.
Performing a medley of jams from his new album, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu, along with a few hit singles like “Problems” and fan favorite “Ray Wop,” Ray Vaughn further cemented his place as a mainstay in hip-hop for years to come with this masterful showing. He even ended the night with an emphatic performance of his Joey Bada$$ diss, “Hoe Era.” From his expertly composed lyrical delivery to the unexpectedly infectious humor he displayed as he spoke between tracks to the genuine chemistry he builds with his fans using his effortlessly affable personality, Ray Vaughn successfully turned an excellent audio experience into an even better live experience guaranteeing his growth for years to come.
All in all, Ray Vaughn is a true artist, an entertainer, and a star in every sense of the word. It’s only a matter of time before the world sees it. As for me, I’m honored to have caught an early glimpse of what I believe to be a legend in the making.
Check out all of our recap footage from the show above and see photos from the night below. Also, be sure to follow Ray Vaughn on Instagram for more on his upcoming shows and music.
