Big Ryz Interview: Rise or Fall
Never forget what you have done to the world. Never forget you have to pay it all back. Ask an artist who has been through it all. How does the silent villain redeem the notion. By speaking his truth and forcing a change. It takes someone who knows the community to change it. He isn't here to entertain, he is here to leave a Legacy. Ryz will change the mindset to those on a similar spectrum. With a vivid truth that many of us are afraid to witness. This is the exclusive interview of "Big Ryz" only at #V2.
Mixtape available now! Download link below
Tell us who is Big Ryz?
I'm Big because of my vision, and I'm Ryz because i see past, I see further, i see up! I offer love unconditionally and I understand the world...
What was the inspiration behind the name?
The name 'Son-Ryz' was given to me by my big homie Andrick Bugs, and i changed It to 'Hi-Ryz' but i didn't think it fit, so i just left it as Ryz around 2001. It wasn't until 2010 after i had spent a little time in jail again, that i added the Big to Ryz. I added big because i was able to see bigger, brighter, and better after spending those days locked up...
So tell us about your childhood. Any moments that really stick out to you?
My first time hustling i was 5 years old, i was in my parents front yard, selling my hotwheel toy cars. I sold two, and also my mom and father splitting up stuck out, but I was numb to any pain, because i understood.
So your father left your family at a young age and was addicted to drugs. Any resentment?
I was eight years old, and there was no resentment. I understood that he wasn't able to be there because of his drug problem, and plus i felt it was best for my mom although financially the problem would get worst.
You was involved in gangs at a young age? How did you break free from that. Or does it still haunt you today?
Yeah i was 12, and I'm not haunted by it. I actually put my flags up around the age of 16, and now i just show love to the solid guys i know.
Take us back to the night your brother was shot and killed. How was that time for you and how did that moment change your life?
To be honest i didn't cry at all that day or night, I was numb and angry. My big brother had a great heart, but to many he was a beast, and maybe a bully or cold hearted at times, plus he dislike my Dad. When he died i thought about the things I've witnessed him do and it was actually fair. I cried that next morning on the way to work, and that's when it set in deep, that he was gone, and I'll never be able to get rich and take care of him. Even in his death, i still keep him, he's here, sometimes i still drop one or two from my face, then i wipe it away and smile because i remember.
When did you first get into music? When was that "this is what I want to do moment"
I got into it at the age of 16, because of an influence from Carl Jackson (Sneek) and Dietrick Jones (PromiseTMG). They we're nice with it, and it bonded me with them, but it wasn't until i was 17 and heard DMX's first album in 98 called "It's Dark and Hell is Hot" and i knew which way to go. He was the first person to open my eye and ear to understanding rap music. He really touched my spirit, his music ignited my conscious to write the way i write.
Top 5 greatest MC's of all time?
DMX / ANDRE 3000 / TUPAC / SCARFACE / JADA KISS
How would you describe your music, for people who havent heard you before?
Which 3 artist would you take to form up your style if you had too.
My music is inspirational, revolutionary, artistic, educational, and it feels good, it's something you can move and groove to, and it can help you as well... To chose 3 artist to make up my artistry would be DMX, ANDRE 3000, and SCARFACE.
How do you feel about the state of hiphop in Memphis TN compared to where you live now?
Memphis got that sound that the world wants, well actually the south does, and Memphis is the south, and i promise you they copy it lol just listen.
Take us through your process of creating "Finally" the mixtape.
Well it's called "Finally The Mixtape" because it's been anticipated for me to drop a music project since around 2005 and now I'm finally dropping a project. The project only took me like 7 to 8 weeks and it was an off and on thing, because I have alot going on in life at the moment.I went to Atlanta to see my engineer Davinci Skillz out of North Memphis to drop my Mixtape at his studio in Austell right outside of Atlanta, and in about 3 days it was done.
You used to rap with a group? Still do or have that broken apart?
No I'm solo dolo mane! I just got guys like Madd Houz, 100 Ways, and of course my Hustle4It La Familia that i do music with, feel me!?
So you becoming a father changed the outlook of your grind. How was that moment when you found out?
Man lol that's a story I'll make short! My daughter came in a abnormal yet symbolic way, and once i found out that she was mine, a tear dropped, i said thank you, and determination was born... That moment was everything i needed!
What do you hope fans take from your music and what Legacy do you wish to leave behind?
I pray they find love, peace, balance and structure in their lives. I offer positive vibes to the spirit because there is enough negativity amongst us today. I plan to leave the world with love, i plan to hand down or hand out love, just as Jesus did...
Any shoutouts, sites, events, anything you wan to tell the people of #V2?
I shout out Ace Million for being able to see my vision and giving me this opportunity, I salute and shout out Davinci Skillz because he's done it all for me musically, i also shout out and thank my sis Nicole Dowden for believing in me and featuring on the mixtape, I gotta shout out my brother Jamie (Hazzo) for believing in me and pushing me when he did, and inspiring me to do great. I shout out Sneek for seeing this vision he saw with Hustle4It! I shout out my Steph for being here for me, being my friend and believing in me, this the beginning for us! I shout out my brother PromiseTMG for believing in me, as well as my family, and my cousins Big E (Earnest) and Antione (A1Statuz) for seeing my vision and believing in me, aye let's do it Cuzzos! I thank my daughter's Mom for being understanding and I'd like to thank My Mother for introducing me into leadership and telling me everyday that I was going to be somebody, for never giving up on me, for always being in my corner and always understanding me, she's my number 1 fan!
FINALLY THE MIXTAPE DROPS TODAY!
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