# Morray

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American rapper

Morray Morray performing at J. Cole's The Off-Season Tour in 2021 Background information Born Morae Ebony Ruffin New York City, New York, U.S.[1] Origin Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. Genres Southern hip hop trap R&B[2] Occupations Producer singer Director songwriter Years active 2014–present Labels Dreamchasers Records Pick Six Interscope

Musical artist

**Morae Ebony Ruffin**, known professionally as **Morray**, is an American singer and producer. He first saw recognition for his 2020 single "[Quicksand](/source/Quicksand_(Morray_song))", which led him to sign with [Interscope Records](/source/Interscope_Records) and release his debut mixtape, *[Street Sermons](/source/Street_Sermons)* (2021) the following year.[3] The song peaked at number 65 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100), while his 2021 single "[My Life](/source/My_Life_(J._Cole%2C_21_Savage_and_Morray_song))" (with [J. Cole](/source/J._Cole) and [21 Savage](/source/21_Savage)) peaked at number two on the chart and received [platinum](/source/RIAA_certification) certification by the [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) (RIAA).

## Early life

Growing up in [Fayetteville, North Carolina](/source/Fayetteville%2C_North_Carolina), Ruffin was raised on [R&B](/source/Contemporary_R%26B) and [gospel music](/source/Gospel_music), singing in his local church by the age of four. He moved to [Lebanon, Pennsylvania](/source/Lebanon%2C_Pennsylvania) at age 12 and lived there for six years before moving back to North Carolina.[4] While in Pennsylvania, he met a rap collective called SGS which inspired him to start making music. With stints in juvenile detention at age 19, he served jail time in his early 20s.[5]

While raising a child, he worked construction and recorded music on the side.[6] In 2014, he released his first song, which he recorded for his wife's birthday, and started taking music seriously.[4] In 2020, he lost his job at a call center and chose to pursue his music career to support his three children.[7]

## Career

In March 2020, Morray released his first music video "[Quicksand](/source/Quicksand_(Morray_song))", which led to his being discovered by media manager [Moe Shalizi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moe_Shalizi&action=edit&redlink=1). He became Morray's manager and launched a record label called Pick Six Records. Morray also featured two more songs with Mo Chedda in 2020, "Snitch On Ya Man's" and "In Da Trap".[4] On October 30, Morray and Shalizi re-released "Quicksand" as a single; it later charted on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).[8] Following the single, he received co-signs from fellow North Carolina rappers [J. Cole](/source/J._Cole) and [DaBaby](/source/DaBaby). The single amassed millions of streams, and he was featured as part of *Billboard's* Emerging Artists Spotlight. In an interview with *Billboard*, he said "I want to be that light in the ghetto, I want be the person that makes you smile and shows you the hood ain't all bad. I appreciate where I came from and I know that the ghetto can bring both positive and negative memories."[9] He released three more singles in 2020: "Switched Up", "Low Key", and "Dreamland".

In 2021, Morray released the singles "Big Decisions" and "Kingdom".[10][11] On April 16, Morray announced that he had signed to [Interscope Records](/source/Interscope_Records) in a joint venture with Pick Six.[12] He released the single "Trenches" ahead of his debut project in April.[13] His mixtape *[Street Sermons](/source/Street_Sermons)* was released on April 28, 2021. The mixtape debuted on the US *Billboard* 200 at number 41.[14] On May 14, Morray was a guest feature on J. Cole's album *[The Off-Season](/source/The_Off-Season)*, on the song "[My Life](/source/My_Life_(J._Cole%2C_21_Savage_and_Morray_song))" with [21 Savage](/source/21_Savage).[15] The song debuted at number two on the Hot 100, becoming his highest charting and best performing song.[16] Also in 2021, he was featured on the 2021 [*XXL*](/source/XXL_(magazine)) Freshman Class. On June 22, it was announced he would be joining J. Cole and 21 Savage on their co-headlining [The Off-Season Tour](/source/The_Off-Season_Tour) as their opener. On July 30, Morray released a remix of his song "Trenches" featuring [Polo G](/source/Polo_G).

## Artistry

Morray grew up listening to artists like [Usher](/source/Usher_(musician)) and took inspiration from [Drake](/source/Drake_(musician))'s rapping and singing fluidity.[17] His style has been compared to [CeeLo Green](/source/CeeLo_Green), and described as combining "the soulfulness of [Big K.R.I.T.](/source/Big_K.R.I.T.) with the bounce of [Outkast](/source/Outkast)".[18]

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums Title Details Long Story Short[19] Released: February 21, 2025 Label: Empire Format: Digital download, streaming

### Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions US [20] US R&B /HH [21] US Rap [22] Street Sermons Released: April 28, 2021 Label: Pick Six, Interscope Format: Digital download, streaming 41 20 17

### Singles

#### As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US [23] US R&B /HH [24] US Rap [25] "Quicksand"[26] 2020 65 29 23 RIAA: Gold[27] Street Sermons "Switched Up"[28] — — — "Low Key"[29] — — — Non-album singles "Dreamland"[30] — — — "Big Decisions"[31] 2021 — — — Street Sermons "Kingdom"[32] — — — "Trenches"[32] (solo or with Polo G) — — — "Bad Situations" — — — Non-album singles "Mime" — — — Madden NFL 22 "Never Fail" (with Benny the Butcher) — — — Non-album singles "Still Here"[33] (with Cordae) 2022 — — — "Momma's Love"[34] — — — "Ticket"[35] — — —

#### As featured artist

List of featured singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US [36] US R&B /HH [37] US Rap [38] AUS [39] CAN [40] IRE [41] NZ [42] SWI [43] UK [44] WW [45] "My Life" (J. Cole with 21 Savage and Morray)[46] 2021 2 1 1 11 8 12 5 34 13 4 RIAA: Platinum[27] ARIA: 3× Platinum[47] BPI: Silver[48] The Off-Season "In My Blood" (MO3 featuring Morray) — — — — — — — — — — Shottaz 4Eva

### Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Other artist(s) Album "Snitch on Ya Man's" 2020 Mo Chedda, AR Non-album songs "In Da Trap" Mo Chedda "Mime" 2021 —N/a Madden NFL 22 "Hands Up" Tyla Yaweh Non-album songs "All Them Days" Derez De'Shon "Tail Lights" 2023 Macklemore Ben

## Tours

**Supporting**

- [The Off-Season Tour](/source/The_Off-Season_Tour) (with [J. Cole](/source/J._Cole)) (2021)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Morray on Banging P Stone Gang, Arrested at 12 for Armed Robbery: I Became a Major Follower (Part 1)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=LVYRb4_A3DsZPR-_&v=pODWO-z4aeo). *YouTube*. February 13, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Morray Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morray-mn0004023301). *AllMusic*. Retrieved October 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["NORTH CAROLINA LYRICIST MORRAY CALLS HIS MUSIC 'THAT LIGHT IN THE GHETTO' FOLLOWING JAY-Z TIDAL PLAYLIST LOVE"](https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60135/title.north-carolina-lyricist-morray-calls-his-music-that-light-in-the-ghetto-following-jay-z-tidal-playlist-love#). *HipHopDX*. January 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PassionWeiss_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PassionWeiss_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-PassionWeiss_4-2) [""I Thought I Was Supposed to Be a Pastor:" An Interview with Morray"](https://www.passionweiss.com/2021/02/04/morray-interview/). *PassionWeiss*. February 4, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McKinney, Jessica. ["Morray Is the Realest"](https://www.complex.com/music/morray-interview-street-sermons). *Complex*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Switched Up: Morray's Life Changed With One Phone Call"](https://www.spin.com/2021/02/switched-up-morrays-life-changed-with-one-phone-call/). *Spin*. February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Monger, Timothy. ["Morray – Biography"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morray-mn0004023301/biography). *AllMusic*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["MORRAY'S 'QUICKSAND' CRACKS BILLBOARD 100, CEMENTING THE 'OUT THE MUD' NARRATIVE"](https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60632/title.morrays-quicksand-cracks-billboard-100-cementing-the-out-the-mud-narrative). *HipHopDX*. February 16, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Mamo, Heran. ["North Carolina Rapper Morray Shines Light on Life in the Hood With 'Quicksand': Emerging Artists Spotlight"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9512077/morray-interview-emerging-artists-spotlight-quicksand). *Billboard*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Cho, Regina (February 5, 2021). ["The Ones: Morray's "Big Decisions""](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/morray-big-decisions-new-song-listen/). *Pitchfork*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Mahadevan, Tara C. ["Watch Morray's New Video "Kingdom""](https://www.complex.com/music/morray-kingdom). *Complex*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Morray Signs to Interscope in Partnership With Pick Six Records"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9557691/morray-interscope-records/). *Billboard*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Morray Pays Homage to His Hometown in 'Trenches' Video"](https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/morray-trenches-video-9561169/). *Billboard*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["HipHopDX Rising Star Morray Plots 'Street Sermons' Project"](https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61623/title.hiphopdx-rising-star-morray-plots-street-sermons-project-to-dababy-24kgoldn-hype). *HipHopDX*. April 16, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["J. Cole's new album features track with fellow Fayetteville rapper Morray"](https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/05/14/j-cole-new-album-features-fellow-fayetteville-native-morray/5089087001/). *The Fayetteville Observer*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/j.-cole/chart-history/hsi/). *Billboard*. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["THE BREAK PRESENTS: MORRAY"](https://www.xxlmag.com/morray-interview-the-break/). *XXL*. December 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Morray Is Pushing Hip-Hop's Boundaries With His Authentic and Heartfelt Singles"](https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/morray-is-pushing-hip-hops-boundaries-with-his). *OnesToWatch*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Horvath, Zachary (February 8, 2025). ["Morray Announces First Project In Almost Four Years With Release Of Uplifting Single "Breakthrough""](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/883738-morray-breakthrough-stream). *HotNewHipHop*. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** @billboardcharts (May 10, 2021). ["Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/3)..."](https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1391760725052469249) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved May 11, 2021 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2021-05-15). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. January 2, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Top Rap Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/rap-albums/2021-05-15). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. January 2, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Quicksand by Morray"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-05-15). *Billboard*. Retrieved May 11, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: May 15, 2021"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2021-05-15). *Billboard*. January 2, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Hot Rap Songs"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/rap-song/2021-05-15). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. January 2, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Quicksand – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/quicksand-single/1536474227). *iTunes*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RIAA_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RIAA_27-1) ["American certifications – Morray"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=morray#search_section). *[Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America)*. Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Switched Up – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/switched-up-single/1556177165). *iTunes*. November 20, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Low Key – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/low-key-single/1541240253). *iTunes*. December 4, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Dreamland – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/dreamland-single/1544534529). *iTunes*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Big Decisions – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/big-decisions-single/1547733622). *iTunes*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kingdom_–_Single_32-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kingdom_–_Single_32-1) ["Kingdom – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/kingdom-single/1556175163). *iTunes*. February 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Still Here"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-here-feat-cordae-single/1612118548). *iTunes*. March 4, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Momma's Love"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/mommas-love-single/1621620549). *iTunes*. May 6, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Morray Enlists Southside for New Inspirational Single "Ticket""](https://www.complex.com/music/morray-ticket). *Complex*. Retrieved February 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hot_100_36-0)** Peaks on the Hot 100: - "My Life": ["Billboard Hot 100™: WEEK OF MAY 29, 2021"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2021-05-29/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hot_R&B/Hip-Hop_Songs_37-0)** Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: - "My Life": ["Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: WEEK OF MAY 29, 2021"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2021-05-29/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-US_Rap_38-0)** US Rap chart: - "My Life": ["Hot Rap Songs: WEEK OF MAY 29, 2021"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/rap-song/2021-05-29/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AUS_39-0)** ["Discography Morray"](http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Morray). *australian-charts.com*. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Can_40-0)** Billboard Canadian Hot 100: - "My Life": ["Billboard Canadian Hot 100: WEEK OF MAY 29, 2021"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2021-05-29). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IRE_41-0)** ["Discography Morray"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240730230204/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Morray). *irish-charts.com*. Archived from [the original](http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Morray) on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_42-0)** ["Discography Morray"](https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Morray). *charts.nz*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["Discography Morray"](https://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Morray). *hitparade.ch*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-UK-Charts_44-0)** ["Morray | full Official Chart History"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/60307/j--cole,-21-savage-and-morray/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WW_45-0)** Peaks on the Global 200: - "My Life": ["Billboard Global 200: WEEK OF MAY 27, 2023"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2023-05-27/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** ["Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases"](https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases). *AllAccess*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210521023051/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases) from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023"](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/AExzyTkHniRw2CkE2G9HX6Y/2023%20Accreds.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf) (PDF). [Australian Recording Industry Association](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). Retrieved July 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BPI_48-0)** ["British certifications – Morray"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved July 30, 2024. *Type*Morray*in the "Search:" field.*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Morray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morray) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morray?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.