Angel Haze facts for kids

Quick facts for kids ROES
Wilson performing in October 2012
Background information
Birth name	Raykeea Angel Wilson
Born	(1991-07-10) July 10, 1991 (age 34) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Origin	Brooklyn, New York
Genres	Hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Republic Island

Raykeea Raeen-Roes Wilson (born July 10, 1991), known by the stage name ROES and formerly as Angel Haze, is an American rapper and singer. In 2012, Wilson released a popular collection of songs called a mixtape, titled Reservation. This led to a record deal with Republic Records.

On December 31, 2013, Wilson released their first album, Dirty Gold. It included the singles "Echelon (It's My Way)" and "Battle Cry". Wilson has also released several other mixtapes, including Back to the Woods in 2015.

Early Life and Beginnings

Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan. Because their family was in the military, they moved around a lot. Wilson is of African American and Native American heritage, including Cherokee.

Growing up, Wilson's family was part of a very strict religious community. Life in the community had many rules. For example, members were not allowed to listen to music, wear jewelry, or talk to people outside the group. Wilson has described this time as difficult.

When Wilson was 15, their family left the community and moved to Brooklyn, New York, to find a better life. Moving often made it hard for Wilson to make friends. They switched between being homeschooled and going to public school, but they worked hard and finished high school a year early.

To deal with their feelings, Wilson started writing. They were interested in creative writing, poetry, and journalism. At age 13, they won a school competition for one of their poems. At first, Wilson wanted to be a songwriter or a gospel artist. Later, at age 18, they started making YouTube videos and freestyle rapping, which helped them build a fan base online.

Music Career

Wilson performing live at Øyafestivalen in 2013

From 2009 to 2012, Wilson released several mixtapes online for free, including New Moon, King, and Voice. A mixtape is a collection of songs, similar to an album, that artists often release for free to gain fans.

In July 2012, their mixtape Reservation received great reviews from music critics. The title was a way to honor their Cherokee heritage. Because of this success, Wilson was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2013 award, which recognizes new and exciting musicians.

On August 28, 2013, Wilson released the song "Echelon (It's My Way)". It was the first single from their debut album, Dirty Gold. The album was officially released on December 30, 2013, and received positive reviews.

In 2015, Wilson released another mixtape called Back to the Woods. In March 2017, they released the song "Resurrection".

Artistry and Message

Musical Influences

When Wilson moved to New York, they started listening to popular music for the first time. They were inspired by artists like Eminem, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne.

Wilson admires artists who are true to themselves. In a 2014 interview, they said they connect with artists who are not afraid to be different and stand by who they are.

Music with a Purpose

Wilson's music often talks about important topics like fairness, equality, and overcoming difficult times. They use their own life experiences to connect with listeners who may be going through similar struggles.

Wilson has said their goal as an artist is to inspire people. They want their music to help those who feel lost or are in a "dark place."

In a 2014 article, Wilson also talked about the importance of respecting the history of different music styles. They believe artists should honor the cultures that created the music they make.

Personal Life

Wilson is a strong voice for the LGBT community. They identify as pansexual, which means they can be attracted to people of any gender. Wilson also identifies as agender, which means they do not see themselves as strictly male or female.

In 2016, Wilson said they are comfortable with people using he/him or she/her pronouns to refer to them. More recently, Wilson has started using they/them pronouns.

Wilson is proud of their Native American roots and has taught themself the Cherokee language. They also identify as two-spirit, a term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe a person who has both a masculine and a feminine spirit.

Discography

• Dirty Gold (2013)
• Back to the Woods (2015)

Filmography

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Angel Haze para niños

• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City
• NYC Pride March