Meet Ray Villarreal of Tone Royal in Austin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Villarreal.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Whether it was rapping on the elementary school playground or freestyling with friends on the middle school bus, I’ve been rapping for as long as I can remember. Albeit, It wasn’t very good rapping in those early years haha. Regardless, I’ve always been drawn to hip-hop music.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like any career, it’s been a bumpy ride, and honestly, it was tough from the very beginning. The first show I ever performed was a pretty traumatic experience. I was in a rap duo called InnerMost Truth, and we somehow managed to get booked for a show…In South Side San Antonio. The venue was called the Mirage Club and I remember parking my broken down 1992 Saturn in this parking lot full of Low Riders and choppers. Imagine two 18-year-old kids, fresh out of high school, with zero live performance experience in front of San Antonio Banditos haha. Talk about being thrown into the fire. We were such misfits we pretty much got booed off-stage immediately. I remember tearing up on the car ride home and thinking I never want to feel humiliated like that again. Luckily we got booked the following week at a venue that was more our demographic and bounced back. I’ve never been booed off stage since that first show, but it’s something that humbled me pretty quickly and made me practice even harder. Those are the memories that stick with you. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything; It makes the good times even more special.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My name is Ray Villarreal, I’m Hip-Hop musician in Austin, Texas who goes by the name Tone Royal. I think what sets me apart from others is the quality of my live performances. I have three bandmates that elevate my stage presence to another level, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. A big thank you to my Dj, Optimus Crime, my drummer, Poopie Sanchez, and guitarist, Jefferson Clay. Those guys are amazing musicians in their own right so the fact that they back me is truly amazing. I’m honored to share the stage with them. I’d say I’m most proud of the ability to adapt my music. My growth as an artist from the beginning to now has been astronomical. I feel like in the last two years, I’ve found my own style that balances storytelling, lyricism, and mainstream appeal; without sacrificing my artistry. I’ve always wanted to remain true to who I am and so far I’ve been able to do that. I just recently won the ATX Hip-Hop Awards Album of the Year, so I’m pretty proud of that. The fact I was nominated by my fellow musicians, it’s just a euphoric feeling. I’ve been working hard for a while so the fact that my peers and hip-hop fans in the city are taking notice is reassuring feeling.

What were you like growing up?
I was an extremely hyper kid. I feel bad for my parents because I was always singing out loud, beat-boxing, doing flips through the house, reciting scenes from movies. I was like a Jack Russell terrier! Extremely energetic and very imaginative. I also had ADD so it was difficult for me to focus. My family put me into sports and that helped me mellow out and exert my energy into something positive. Music was in my blood from a young age. My dad is a Tejano musician, so he was always gigging somewhere or rehearsing around us. My older sister can sing beautifully and was always playing the latest music. She would fall asleep every night with the radio on. I’m not a great singer, and I never learned any instruments so I think that’s why I picked up rapping.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@toneroyal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toneroyalmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toneroyalmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToneRoyalMusic

Image Credit:
David Freid, Daven Harty

Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.