We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lowray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lowray, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
The producer community is only 2% women, so I’m very used to being the only one in these kinds of circles. I’ve learned that the best thing I can do in these situations is to continuously be a team player and let my craft do the talking. I’ve grown to be confident in my skillset and I know that any room I’m in is one that I’m supposed to be in.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Music Producer and DJ with about 8 years of experience combined. I primarily make R&B beats and I enjoy getting to share my beats and DJ experiences through social media.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Attention to Detail, Affinity for Learning, and the Ability to Collaborate.
My attention to detail is something I’ve learned and fine-tuned through my 9-5 as a Quality Assurance Analyst. In this role, I test websites to make sure they function correctly and that the right features are present. This requires scouring a website for hours at a time while being on the lookout for any and all issues.
I learned to utilize this skill by incorporating it into my beats and content as well by adding extra flare to my compositions and by being very calculated about how I post my content. I like to test new ideas frequently and keep the ones that are working well.
My affinity for learning has been a huge part of my success too. There’s so much info out there that is readily available so I’m constantly taking the time to learn more about things related to my craft and business. The social media algorithms and music charts are always changing so I try to research as much as possible to stay on top of things.
The final quality would be the ability to collaborate. I played basketball from the age of 3 until my junior year of college, and throughout my athletic journey, there was always a big emphasis on being a good teammate. Being able to collaborate with others is so effective for your individual growth, but also for the strength of the team as a whole. When the team wins, you win too.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
One of the most impactful things my parents did for me was display a great work ethic.
My father is a Fire Chief and he would constantly be up at odd hours of the night reading and hosting study sessions in order to study for multiple promotions at work in-between working multiple 24-hour shifts.
My mother decided to finish her degree a few years after my youngest sister was born and she would constantly be up studying and writing essays long into the night.
Having these strong examples in the home showed me the kind of work and effort it takes to get to where you want to be in life. I’m so grateful to have had that blueprint growing up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lowraytheproducer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lowraytheproducer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowraytheproducer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LowrayTheProducer
Image Credits
Nonnie Egbuna
