Tray Bills (Youtuber) - Summer 2020 Issue
Interview By: Latise M. Howie,
Radio Host, TV Personality and Award-winning author of “The Chronicles Trilogy”.
Photography: Silvio Suarez (@ss35mm) | Clothing: OOOG BRAND (@ooogbrand) |Venue: LOUBELL STUDIOS (@baldwincreech1 @theGOSshow) | Fashion Gxd Southeastern team & PR affiliates: Robinson Squared & IMerge PR Unlimited @theshelrobinsonpr & @tanganyikawatts
For the Summer 2020 issue we at Fashion Gxd Magazine, sat down with influencer & musician Tray Bills. Tray Bills worldly recognized for his viral YouTube videos averaging nearly 1 million metrics. Tray Bills broke headlines internationally as “the worlds most famous boyfriend”. The YouTube sensation exclusively converses with lead journalist Novee Rose on his rise to fame, success, & the equilibrium of it all. The print Summer 2020 issue and interview covering Tray Bills will be available July 11th .
What happens when you take “new school” culture and mix it with “old school” values? You get a young man who is innovative, driven, determined, and humble. A person who knows what he wants and is not afraid to go get it. You get a person who is passionate about positivity, his plans for the future, and most importantly, his strong family bonds. He has amassed over 850k followers on IG. Tray Bills is an influencer, entertainer, and entrepreneur. And, with his work ethic, he is well on his way to icon status. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him and his father, Tray Bills Sr, to talk about how he became the influencer, he is today. It only took a minute to see, that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Building a legacy is extremely important for this amazing family. It is evident in everything they do. Our interview became more than an interview, it became a conversation about the importance of family, doing the right thing, and creating success… “The Bills Way”.
It’s an honor to sit down with you all . Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peak in your career .
First and foremost, I want to say all graces to God for giving me the skills and the ability to get to the point of where I am. But also, really just staying consistent, focusing and having a strategy about where I’m trying to go and what I’m trying to do. Also, having the support of my family and my team. Everybody just coming together helping by giving me different ideas and little gems to help me further myself, and my career.
For those who don’t know, how did you start your YouTube career? I started by consistently posting, being consistent and continuing to stay consistent. When I first started, it was slow and I was like “Ah man, I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to keep doing this.” But I just kept going and not letting anything stop me from my goal and my mission, from being successful at what I am doing. I want to try to maximize the most out of it. So, really, I started it, I’m continuing to grow and get better with it, as time progresses.
With everything that’s going on, How do you feel you make a difference in the world, right now? Basically, by just giving people hope and motivating people with positive energy and staying positive. I’m showing people that you don’t have to be down all the time. We living, we blessed, and just take everything that you’ve got in life right now and be appreciative. There is someone who doesn’t have what you have, and they are not able to be in the position you are in , so be appreciative. Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an influencer.
Basically, my current situation. I had a situation where I was in a relationship with somebody, we had a brand together, or whatever. Things didn’t necessarily go the way we thought it was gonna go, so we had to separate. So right now, it’s just me, staying focused and keep pushing. I’m staying determined with my goals and my dreams, and not letting anybody take that away from me. Tray Give me the three best qualities of your fame and music career. I would say being positive, uplifting, and motivational. I say that because that is really what I preach.
Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that? Really just looking at other influencers and people who are doing the same things that I do. I see their techniques and by watching different methods and strategies on how to be successful. It’s important to watch other people who are doing the same thing as you. You can take a little bit of what they have, look at their steps and methods (if they are successful) and apply the knowledge.
Tray, that is an awesome jewel you just dropped. It’s okay to look at like-minded people and learn from what they are doing. Great information! So, how did you acquire the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, as an entrepreneur?
Well, I always wanted to be successful and timing is everything. The work that comes with being successful is just part of it. You have to maximize every second. You have to make sure you are on time for different things, so that you make the best out of that opportunity. It’s really just staying up on timing and making sure you that you are making the most out of your time, as well. Completely maximizing every second.
How has fame changed your life?
I do feel like it’s changed my life. It’s been good to me, so far. Just going out to different places and seeing my supporters they are so happy to see me. It’s just like wow! I’m really making a great impact or a positive impact on people’s lives. People are actually tuned in to what I have going on. It’s changed me to be a better person. I have people watching me. The things I used to do when I was younger, I don’t do anymore, because I have to be a good example and actually lead. If people are watching my moves, I have to be careful with what I do and the things I say. I think it makes me a better person because I look at situations and analyze, rather than just doing things and not thinking them through. I really take the time to think about my actions, before I just go out and do anything. .
By Pilar Scratch in Fashion Gxd Magazine
38 pages, published 7/23/2020
At this point in the interview, I thought I would test my IG knowledge and tell him he has 827K followers, who have their eyes on him. However, he quickly, but politely corrected me by saying, “Well actually, we are at “852k followers, but you know, I get what you mean.” The moment was light-hearted, and it also gave me some insight to Tray using his charisma and his business savvy, in real time.
What is your favorite inspirational point or place, to develop new brand developments and creative content?
My favorite inspirational point is where I’m at. If I ever get to place where I start to feel
stagnant, I start looking for inspiration, because I want to further my brand, what I am
doing, and my career… I also get my inspiration from family. My family inspires me a
lot, as well. When you start to be looked at as a superstar, and your family starts to
view you the same way, I just don’t want to let nobody down. I have to inspire myself to
keep going. I can’t give up… you know what I mean? There have been different times
where I’ve said, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” But then I understand that this is not
about just me. I feel like God is shining his light through me, to show others that it can
be done. You can be positive and make your dreams happen.
Very well said, Tray. Now with that being said, We have your dad with us today.
Tell us how your upbringing was a part of who you are today. It definitely played a huge part because my dad and my mom instilled in me respect, discipline and having self-control. They gave me all of the foundational things that are really needed to help you, as a person in life. They gave me the foundation I needed, and I feel like my foundation is solid. I thank them both for that. They taught me the ways of honest living, how to be yourself and never lose yourself. Staying true to yourself and never being a follower, but a leader. My dad always told me that every single day and it stuck with me.
Tray let’s bring your dad in on this part of the conversation. Because it sounds like he instilled in you, outstanding values. Tray Sr., is there anything you’d like to add?
I think it’s important that kids see their parents. Because they are the first examples children see. They are the first experience that they have. I think it is very important that Dads to spend time with their sons and daughters. There is a bond that my son and I have, because of the time we’ve spent time together. I personally cultivated it because I wanted our bond to be unbreakable. In order to get the relationship I wanted with my son, we spent a lot of time together, on purpose. Our time was in the music room, or the boom-boom room of our house. We sat in that room. And listened to old school music, so it’s not hard for me to see, think, or imagine that my son would be where he is. He thinks a little differently and that is why his music sounds different. We tried to expose him to all kinds of music. We exposed him to Gospel, R, and B, old school Hip- hop, Jazz, Classical… we exposed him to it all. But more than that, this was our time together. Tray is well versed in music and he has DJ’d before at the AUMA’s here in Atlanta and he was only 14 at the time. I exposed my son to music because it is universal. No matter where you go In the world, everybody appreciates music. They may not even speak the same language, but somehow, , they can know a song. It somehow transcends all barriers of language. I know this because I have DJ's all over the world. I’m very proud of my son. To the parents out there, put in the time with your children. Be a mom. Be a dad. Tray Jr. chimes in “Be a legend, so your child can be a legacy. My Dad is a legend.
As the interview continued, I truly appreciated the power of a father’s influence and
wisdom. Tray has directly benefited from his father’s intentional positive presence, in his
life, and fully acknowledges that he would not be who he is today, without it. The
the relationship between father and son was beautiful to witness. Tray Bills Sr. is
absolutely legendary in his own right. He was a member of the R and B group, Silk. He
was one of the co-founders of the infamous Freaknik that took place ,annually ,in the
City of Atlanta, for many years. It laid the foundation for Atlanta’s “Black Hollywood”
mantra, that it holds today. Tray Sr. is a modest man, who doesn’t boast of his
accomplishments, even though they are quite vast in number and notoriety. I tried to
ask Tray Jr. who was the person he admired the most currently, but no one holds a
candle to his dad… which was also his answer. He also admired Chris Brown as an
entertainer and his ability to come back stronger from adversity.
Tray Sounds like you have some big shoes to fill. I think you can be very proud
of the job you are doing. So, how do you intend to further your family’s legacy
and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’m redirecting myself. I listen to the Podcast that PDiddy has. On the show he says
that until he can get to a point where he doesn’t have to do anything, He won’t stop
working at being a creator or innovator. That is how I see myself. That is where I see
my business is going in 10 years. I can see myself being that kind of mogul… I want to
stay on this journey to grow, create, and entertain. Period.
What word of wisdom do you have for the people?
TBJ: You know, my dad can answer this one because he always gives me the best
advice and wisdom.
TBS: Always encourage your children in their dreams. Encourage them to be the best.
I encourage both my son and daughter to be better than me. As a parent, you have to
put in the time with your children. I can’t stress that enough. Tray was always with me.
I took him everywhere. I had to lead him lead by example. Give everything your best
and that’s all you can do. You can only go as high as your mind will allow, so don’t
doubt yourself…
Thank you both so much for your time. Thank you for being tremendous positive
influences on our culture. You both have so much to be proud of. Thank you for
giving us a glimpse into your lives. We can now see, that when you are a legend,
It is easy to create a legacy.
This issue was brought to you by: Jewels by June, Faith Moving Company, Soul Kast, Coach Rodgers, Crowned Dreams, Karen’s Beauty Bar, Press’d Queen, Jheisha Moore, The Rum Cake Kitchen, Fanaye Brown, True Hair Company, Epitome Beauty, Living Proof Clothing, Bouquet Bundles, Shonita Thomas, Divo Stars, & Beauty By Nikki
