Interview: Ocala, FL Based Rap Artist Ryan Conrad
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Ryan Conrad is a rap artist originally from Steubenville, OH, who now calls Ocala, FL home. He just released a new mixtape entitled "My Life On Paper", as well as a visual for one of the mixtape's tracks, "I'm Comin", which is why we connected with Ryan for an exclusive interview.
After reading our Q&A with Ryan, be sure to follow him on his social media streams and most definitely stream/download "My Life On Paper" below as soon as possible.
Tell us about how your life experiences growing up in Ocala, FL are reflected in your music? Do you make it a point to address the good and bad of your life through your songs?
I wasn't actually born in Ocala, I'm from a small town called Steubenville, Ohio but Ocala is definitely my home. I always make it a point to address all different aspects of my life, the good and the bad, in my music. My most recent album is called 'My Life on Paper,' and that's really what it is. As far as Ocala affecting and having a reflection on my music, I think it is more of the vibe that the 352 puts off as a whole to the music industry.
Congratulations on the release of your second project "My Life On Paper". When someone listens to it for the first time, what do you want them to take away from it?
Thank you, I appreciate that and I appreciate the opportunity to be featured on DopeCauseWeSaid. When people listen to any of my music, I'm just trying to be relatable. I've been through a lot of ups and downs and I want to show people that you can create something from nothing and give others some motivation and hope because it's not impossible.
We're really digging your new visual for "I'm Comin'". Why did you select that track from the album to create a visual for?
Thank you, 'I'm Coming,' was a bonus single I dropped before the album to anticipate some hype. New videos are still on the way for the hit singles from 'My Life on Paper.'
Tell us about the music scene in Ocala, especially for rap music. Would you say that locals are generally supportive of native artists or are they focused more on the scenes in Atlanta, Miami, etc?
There is so much talent in my city, it's sick. Hard work and dedication is everything and if you're working, the locals will be supportive, I have a dope movement here in the 352. But I don't feel like the city is getting the same exposure and attention as some of the artists in bigger cities and for that, we are slept on as a whole. There's artists in Ocala, including myself, I would put toe-to-toe against some of the biggest artists in the game and we've not been heard, but don't expect anything less than straight grinding from us Florida artists.
With "My Life On Paper" just dropping, what are your goals musically for the remainder of 2017?
My goal is to put a hard push promotionally on the album and focus on my fans and movement. At the end of the day, that's what is important, making my fans happy. Definitely expect new videos, new merchandise, and a whole new wave coming with the album. As far as goals, my biggest competition is myself, so I'm just trying to better myself. I'm fully independent, but a goal of mine has been locking in a distribution deal to get our product out there.