After appearing on The X-Factor in 2012, Cincinnati native Arin Ray was sure his music career would take off. After all, he was able to crack the top 10 under the mentorship of Britney Spears and was deemed “a star” by the notoriously callous Simon Cowell.
Things didn’t pan out the way Arin expected.
Though record labels weren’t immediately knocking at his door, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter continued to dedicate his life to music. And it paid off. Several years after his X-Factor gig, Arin inked a deal with Interscope Records and began recording his debut studio album, Platinum Fire.
The milestone project was officially released Thursday night.
“This is history for me, 22 years in the making, I put my life into this shit,” Arin said in a press release. “Changing the way we listen to music has always been a dream and this is my opportunity.”
The 14-track project was produced by F Keys, Terrace Martin, Childish Major, and Nez & Rio. It also includes guest appearances from Ty Dolla Sign, DRAM, SiR, and YG. The latter artist was featured on the album’s lead single “We Ain’t Homies,” which was co-produced and written by Arin.
You can stream Platinum Fire now via iTunes and Apple Music. You can also listen to it via Spotify.
According to his team, the R&B singer is now working on a jazz album with Martin and Robert Glasper. The project is set to drop at the end of the year.
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