Rossyè Lamont Turns Pressure Into Purpose on 'RaWshxtONLY'

Chicago’s South Side has shaped generations of artists, but Rossyè Lamont isn’t interested in simply retelling familiar stories. On RaWshxtONLY, the Roseland-raised rapper, producer, songwriter, and engineer takes the environment that raised him and turns it into something intensely personal.

Across the 12-track album, Lamont moves through survival, ambition, pressure, limited opportunity, and the mentality required to push beyond circumstances that can easily become defining. Instead of cleaning those experiences up for easier consumption, RaWshxtONLY thrives on its lack of polish in the best way. The project feels direct and intentionally exposed, allowing Lamont’s perspective to remain its strongest asset.

Tracks like “100’s,” “Offense,” “G.T.T.M,” and “Goin’ Scotti” establish the project’s confidence, while collaborations with Duke da beast appear throughout “G.T.T.M,” “Jet Lee,” “To-do-list,” and “Mile High.” But some of the album’s deeper significance comes through Lamont’s collaborations with his late best friend Ace Mack on “Bottom,” “Pills & Hills,” and closing track “Get Dat Doe.”

That connection carries particular weight considering Lamont’s earliest musical work began with producing beats for Ace Mack. What started behind the boards eventually developed into Lamont pursuing music on every level, making those appearances feel connected to the foundation of his artistry rather than simply features.

There’s also a bigger idea running underneath RaWshxtONLY: where you come from can influence how you move without deciding where you end up. Lamont doesn't romanticize the pressure surrounding his upbringing. He examines what it can create in someone, both good and bad, and what happens when ambition begins outweighing circumstance.

RaWshxtONLY ultimately works as an introduction because it doesn’t try too hard to introduce Rossyè Lamont. It simply puts his world, mindset, relationships, and experiences on record. Raw really is the point.

What made RaWshxtONLY the project where you felt ready to give listeners such an unfiltered look at your life and the environment that shaped you?

RaWshxtONLY took time because I wanted every part of the project to feel intentional. I built it one song at a time, putting a piece of myself into every beat, every bar, and every creative decision. I also worked with different producers because I wanted to challenge myself creatively and prove that my sound can stand alongside anybody’s favorite artist.

Everything had to connect—the production, the writing, the artwork, and the overall feeling of the project. Together, it tells the story of a kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago and being shaped by everything that came with that environment. Every song comes from a real place. Every block holds a memory, and every lesson played a role in shaping the artist and person I am today.

You’ve said your environment influenced you without defining your future. Was there a specific moment when you realized you could turn that pressure into something bigger?

The moment I realized people could genuinely connect with my music and become real supporters was when everything started to feel possible. Seeing people engage with the records, relate to what I was saying, and connect with my story showed me that this could become something much bigger than a dream.

One moment that will always stay with me was performing alongside Ace Mack and receiving a standing ovation. Seeing that crowd on its feet was like a light bulb going off. I knew we had something special, and I realized that if we stayed focused and continued putting in the work, there was no limit to how far we could take it. That experience made me lock in even more and continue sharpening my craft.

Ace Mack is deeply connected to your beginnings as a producer and appears multiple times on the album. What does having his presence on RaWshxtONLY mean to you personally?

Having Ace Mack on this project means everything to me. If bro were here today, I know he would be proud—but knowing him, he’d probably tell me it was already time to start working on the next hit. He was genuinely funny, incredibly talented, and somebody who played an important role in my journey.

I had some of his final verses, and it was important to me that they became part of RaWshxtONLY, especially on records like “Get Dat Doe” and “Pills & Hills.” His presence on this project is bigger than just a feature. It’s about preserving his voice, honoring our history, and making sure his energy continues to live through the music. Long Live Ace Mack.

You handle multiple sides of your music as an artist, producer, songwriter, and engineer. How does having that level of creative control affect the way your experiences ultimately translate into a record?

I love creating original music and having the ability to shape a record from different perspectives. On RaWshxtONLY, I only produced one record, “Offense,” alongside Pyrex Whippa. We collaborated creatively to build a specific vibe, and that experience represents what I enjoy about the process—taking an idea and developing it until it becomes something people can feel.

Creative control has always been important to me, which is why I trained myself and developed my ear over the years. Being a seasoned artist gives me the confidence to experiment, explore different sounds, and pursue soulful records like “WGH2.” Whether I’m writing, producing, recording, or engineering, I understand how to set the tone in the room and bring all those elements together. The goal is always to make something that feels authentic, polished, and unforgettable to the listener.

For someone growing up in an environment similar to Chicago’s South Side who hears themselves in this album, what do you hope RaWshxtONLY shows them about what’s possible?

I want RaWshxtONLY to show people that you can build something meaningful from nothing when you believe in your vision, stay disciplined, and refuse to give up.

Something as small as a melody or idea in your head can eventually become a song that changes someone’s life or creates a memory they carry with them forever. That’s the beauty of creating. Everything starts with an idea, but belief, consistency, and hard work are what bring that idea to life.

More than anything, I want somebody coming from an environment like mine to hear this project and understand that where you come from can shape your story without determining where that story has to end.