The City - Ryan Mackin

Ryan Mackin - The City

Ryan Mackin is on deck and his latest 'The City' is one of the best we've heard in a long time. Sooo much about this artist we want to feature but for now will settle with his latest soundtrack and road that got him to where he's at. G4R is on the lookout for new talent and occasionally come across a diamond in the rough.

No we're not a production company nor talent agency but rather a media Co that features people many organizations dropped the ball on. More times than not it comes back to bite them and we are proud to showcase these members that have went on to greatness. G4R has ties in the music industry but will save that for another day..

Our company follows a handful of artists and as of today Ryan is our latest. We do our part in spreading the word in hopes of nothing more than getting them recognition. G4R has done numerous interviews but has yet to come across one that opened up in this fashion. He delves into the process of creating music (reminds me of a Prince interview a read years ago... the creative process for a song is never truly done), childhood obstacles, being somewhat of a loner growing up and so on. A lot of issues he brought up related to the masses more than we realized. We caught up to Ryan for a quick interview and here's the scoop!

G4R: Really like song 'The City' what was the inspiration behind it?

Ryan Mackin: Well honestly nothing really hit me until I listened to the beat a few times. I was sitting in my room looking for new instrumentals, when I came across “The City”. It just had such a different sound to me and I loved it. It was defiantly more of a serious beat so I started thinking deeper. Thats when I found  myself thinking about it all way too hard. So I literally stopped myself closed my computer and tried to forget the ideas I originally had. I pulled the instrumental back up the next day and tried writing to it again. I couldn't figure out where I wanted to go with this track. I was completely stuck. So the following day comes around and Im at work when I think of the first line. I pull out my phone and write it down in my notes. Of course I was at work so I didnt know for sure If it was gonna flow how I wanted it to. So I get home that evening and pull up the beat again and lay down that first line I thought of. It flowed perfectly. So from there I continued writing and I was just trying to think of the bigger picture of all that I was going through and everything that was going on in the world around me. I wanted it to be relatable but to have my side of the story in it. So thats where I took it.

G4R: When compared to Eminem (Inevitably it happens) what is your response?

Ryan: The first thing that comes to my mind is how similar I think we are. Of course we've all had our ups and downs but I feel that, like Eminem most of our childhood was negative. His mother had addiction problems and never really knew his dad while my mom had a problem with drinking and my dad wasn't there when I was born. He's a humble dude when it comes to his music and I defiantly feel the same way about myself. He's creative with his words and isn't afraid to express his real feelings. And I know thats what real music is supposed to be about but a lot of rappers today put on a front when it comes to where they came from and what they've gone through. In my opinion Eminem has always been the best in the rap game hands down so really when people compare me to him I take as a compliment and keep doing me.

G4R: You obviously have talent what led you in the direction of music at such an early age?

Ryan: Theres a lot of things that really pushed me toward the whole music thing. I mean I started writing when I was 17 after moving to Florida from Rhode Island. That was really what sparked it all though. I was a junior in high school and didn't know a single soul. I started completely fresh which really turned out to be a good thing at the end of the day. So not knowing anyone left me with a lot on my mind cause I literally had no friends to talk to. During my computer class is when I wrote the most, mainly because my teacher didn't care if I did my work or not. It was my grade she would always say. From there I continued writing and eventually found myself digging into my childhood and writing about that. It was really a way for me to vent.  It was just something I could always turn to so I just have never really stopped writing. 

G4R: Not everyone will make it but what advice can you give guys following in your footsteps looking to make it the music bizz?

Ryan: I was actually just talking to another artist the other day about this stuff. To be 100% honest its something you have to live for. You cant just do it on the weekends or at night when you feel like it, you have to work at it everyday. Weather its writing, recording, looking for a beat, or even looking for another show to do. You have to be consistent.  Think about it, everyone and their mom is trying the same thing your doing. You have to be different, have a different sound and stand out to really even get noticed at all. Another thing is grow your fan base. Most artist don't understand your nothing without fans. They're the ones buying your music, requesting you on the radio, buying your T-shirts, tickets to your shows. I mean seriously without a good fan base you wont do anything in this business. Take chances, get out of your comfort zone as much as you can and you will grow more and more as an artist. Its all about learning and exploring as much as you can and then turning around and making relatable music that other people feel and can sympathize with. Lastly be you. Im telling you there is nothing more important then being yourself and being true to who you are. This business destroys people and there personal lives, you have to be ready for the commitment and stay strong through the whole journey because like I said it can make or brake you.

G4R: Final question... even the great ones have hobbies to get away from it all, what's yours? Madden, C.O.D., outdoors, weekend getaways, online gaming, etc.

Ryan: Really any sport. But mostly basketball. I can shoot around for hours just to shoot. I mean I'm good at it, Its fun and its a good exercise. So if I'm not making music or gfx or watching tv and eating. Im probably outside playing basketball by myself.

There ya have it people, head on over and check out Ryan's  Facebook page for links to more of his work. We will have a follow up interview down the road. He has a really nice track from a while back we really like that will be posted on our media outlets soon. Keep up the good work Ryan!

-James (G4R)

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