VonRyan is the rap game’s next superstar out of Nashville, Tennessee, and he’s not letting his foot off the gas pedal.
In addition to his music talents, he’s also a certified jeweler. His other monikers include Chvkra Shocked, the name he design unders, VonRyanMadeIt as a producer, and VonRyan the Jeweler. He’s also a rapper, a father to 6, and a family man first and foremost, stating he’s someone who also “just so happens to talk over instrumentals.”
As an entrepreneur, VonRyan operates multiple clothing brands, owns a restaurant, a media company, and a management company. He explains, “It’s a focus of mine to have multiple streams of income, because that can make you independent.”
Read our exclusive interview below!
How would you describe your sound?
If I had to describe my sound, I would say it’s laidback, cool, motivational to go and get the money!
I always get criticism on my lazy flow or low energy, but that’s me. You might catch me harmonizing or something, because I like to sing foreal, but I honestly just be shit talking with a little flavor.
My family, Uncle Ski say I remind him of BabyFace Ray with the flow. I just be doing me, it’s all love for the fans who fuck with it. If they don’t, I’m cool on them too! Fuck’em, we ball! Right? Lol
You’re from Texas, how does that play into your life and career?
Funny you ask and would say that, everybody thinks that’s where I was born. I love Houston, Texas but I’m actually from East Nashville, Tennessee. I moved to Houston in 2017 and made it my new home, I love it here like it’s my own city! I say coming from Nashville plays a major part in my career being that it’s considered the capital of TN and dubbed Music City. A lot of people think it’s just country, but they got it all wrong. The Ville has got a lot of dope Hip-Hop and R&B artist like two of my favorites Khari G and Kiya Lacey.
And I say Houston plays a major part in my music career because I grew up on Texas music, A lot of DJ Screw and UGK was played in my daddy’s caddy, so you will hear a lot of them type of vibes I’m my music.
Biggest influences?
Good question, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly because I’m a fan of real creativity. Firstly, I’ve got to say my Uncle Byrd, known as Hip-Hop artist MJ Byrd. He had two songs that made me want to record, one named “Hot Monkey” and another titled “Make A Play.” I’ve wanted to make my play since a tot, he did music all my childhood and I was just infatuated with the process.
My top artist influences are Young Dolph, Boodjie, Lil’ Wayne, Money Man, Starlito, Sauce Walka, Gucci Mane and Kodak Black.
It might be some more, just off top though that’s who inspired me the most! The list could go on, whether they inspired me sonically or mentally I use it to my advantage during my recording process and business interactions where I can pull a play from their book to enhance my situation.
At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
Music being a reality wasn’t a thing for me until I decided to make the swap from artist manager to full-time recording artist, and the embracement from other artist and gaining new fans and knowing people actually want to hear more was when it set in foreal.
I’ve been on the stage with DonTrip and I’ve been on stage with Peso Peso… being there seeing how they can go from having a good time just chilling to going on stage in front of a crowd, turning on that switch and activating the entertainer inside them; was amazing to see firsthand and I knew that I wanted to do that, I knew I wanted to have fans and people singing along with me to my lyrics and loving what I create as much as I do.
What was the inspiration behind your name?
I’ve always been know as the live wire, crazy, all the above, my Auntie Riko say I’m all the way retawded. So in my mind, a Genius is called all these things before their truth outweighs the thoughts of outsiders. And I know with how my mind works, I can’t be anything but Genius.
The name VonRyan is my real name, my grandmother pulled from a 1965 war movie called Von Ryan’s Express which she loved, starring Frank Sinatra as a soldier with the nickname Von Ryan.
https://audiomack.com/vonryanthegenius/song/new-skrilla
You just dropped ”New Skrilla,”what inspired this record?
“New Skrilla” was inspired by BankRoll Fresh, I was listening heavy to his albums on repeat the weeks prior to recording this track and I did a skit right in the middle of the song, mimicking his infamous Instagram video where he says, “New Shit On The Way.” I was feeling like Fresh that night with them bankrolls on me, just feeling good in the studio and vibing.
What is it you want fans to get from your story?
I’m going to live until I die, so in between time make something of what you have and enjoy life as it comes, I’ve been through some of the worst situations that most wouldn’t even be able to continue, but I never folded.
I come from the dirt, I was homeless for 3 years with my whole family, and to be able to provide doing something I love doing, can’t be beat.
So no matter what’s going on in your life, you can’t give up. The best is yet to come!
Just keep living!
3 things you need in the studio?
My top 3 things I need in attendance in the studio aside from a hard ass beat and myself, is God, good weed and good vibes!
Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
I’ve got plenty of goals set for myself as an artist, one is to do more appearances, shows and interviews. Another goal I have is to work with and get a verse on anybody’s project willing to let me come into their world and talk my shit!
Anything else you’d like to let us know?
I’m interested in acting. If Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has any open castings, I’m available for whatever role. I’ve been trying to score a speaking role for awhile now. This is a PSA for all casting directors to tap in with The Genius.
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