Exclusive: Arin Ray Talks 'Platinum Fire,' Dream Collaborations

Arin Ray released his debut album Platinum Fire earlier this year, but the R&B crooner is not done bringing the heat. The “X Factor” alum recently stopped by Rap-Up HQ to talk about his plans for the future.

“I don’t want to just sing,” he said. “I want to produce, write, and make these movies for these people. I’m trying to do all types of projects.”

Raised on everything from Michael Jackson to Lionel Richie to Linkin Park, the Cincinnati native says his upcoming music may include jazz, pop, and instrumental-based work.

“I like people who stretch their genres and stretch what you even call a genre,” he explained. “It don’t just have to be one thing. I feel like I’m hip-hop, I feel like I’m rock, I feel like I’m country, I feel like I’m whatever you want me to be. I’m just trying to make music. We all one so you should do the music that way.”

He also has his sights set on some dream collaborations, including Eminem, Quincy Jones, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West. “He’s the guy,” Ray said of Yeezy (prior to the Chicago rapper’s controversial comments). “He’s one of the greatest to ever do it, as far as producer-rapper-entertainer-entrepreneur. I definitely would love to collab with him, test his ear, see what I could do, if I could possibly make something better.”

But after two years of working on his debut album, Ray is also just excited to have the LP in the hands of fans. Featuring YG, DRAM, Ty Dolla $ign, Terrace Martin, and SiR, the new effort is still making waves. “It feels incredible to have Platinum Fire out. I really put a lot of work, time, and effort [into it],” he said. “Super excited.”