Lyrics & The Lab: Raiy Banz

Wreck It Raiy- Small town girl hits with musical MUSCLE.

Drop the top. Breeze through hair. Raiy Banz on radio. Ride around with carefree friends. This fun artist gives the vibe of flashy lights and beach club nights. Light punch on the “thug life”, but HEAVY on the “don’t play with me”. I caught a phenomenal one on one with the lyrical lady at her show’s mic check.

Galesburg, Illinois born artist, Raiyanna McElmurry, aka “Raiy Banz”, was a top student when it came to writing, prompting her passion for song writing and lyricism at a young age. “I always got straight A’s in English class.” shares the MC. “It was just natural the way it happened. It became therapy to me.”

The Peoria native rapper was raised by a music loving mother and influenced by artistic family. “My mom liked all types of music. Growing up, she had ALL the CDs.” says Raiy. “I’ve been through a lot in my life, and it was my cousin who’s also an artist who told me, “Raiy, you should talk about that stuff.” So that’s really what kind of pushed me to do it.” Raiy began lyricizing her woes and wins, growing along the way. The artist says that her biggest inspiration is her mother. “She’s a single mother. I watched her do everything she could for us. She raised me to be the best I could be.” The 26 yr. old also credits her Taekwon-do instructor, Aaron Duke. “He was probably the closest thing I had to a father figure growing up. He was always there for me.”

Raiy Banz’ musical inspirations are rappers such as J. Cole, and the late Nipsey Hussle. “They’re all about the “real talk” lyrics. Just being true to who you are and bringing people together. I’m also a big fan of Tracy Chapman.” The LGBTQ+ artist describes her style as “hip hop, pop, feel good.” “I’m a lyricist. I think I give like therapy type of music. Like a “pick me up”. That’s the kind of artist I am.”, she explains.

In October of 2021, Raiy Banz released her first single, “Let It Go” on streaming services. She followed up with “Got That” in November of the same year. In 2022, the rapper dropped singles “You Got This Baby”, “Secrets”, and “Tuck It”; with her latest release being her “Falling For You” EP in late October 2023. “It’s a wavy project. Something to uplift people and get them in a vibe. It’s dope.”

Raiy Banz- “I Like You”

Raiy Banz is currently promoting her EP, performing and producing visuals. “I’m also working on a project with a producer at Vault 309 in Peoria. I’m looking forward to being on huge stages, taking care of family, investing, and putting my people on.” With a goal-oriented MC packing ambition as ammunition…all will make way for RAIY.