Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to River Lyons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

River, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I have a million stories but the one that I feel really shifted everything happened last November. I decided to leave my job because I was no longer satisfied with my work, and it was affecting my mental health. What’s funny is as soon as I left, I wrote almost 5 songs that week. I was so stressed at that job, it was keeping me from doing what I love, which is music. I started working two jobs just to barely scrape by, but I kept my faith. I took it one day at a time, knowing an opportunity had to fall into my lap. Well one day, On The Radar announced they were coming into town and I reached out to them. At first, I didn’t hear anything back and I got comfortable with the idea that it wasn’t my time. Then I got that DM to connect with them. Getting the opportunity to be on that platform forced people to me take me a little more seriously. I was extremely happy because I manifested the opportunity earlier in the year. From the outside looking in, it looked like I had everything together, but I was still struggling to find my identity, peace, and motivation to keep going. With the grace of God, I consistently released freestyles and videos until I released my first song of the year, “Roundz”. Sometimes I really wonder how I did it with almost nothing. It’s all about having a supportive team and people who love their craft too. Without my support system I probably would have given up music a long time ago. And in my struggles, I realized how strong I really am. I really kept making it happen no matter what my bank account looked like or how I felt. I learned that I am resilient and steadfast. Up until the moment I hit rock bottom, I never saw myself as a person who could survive. The greatest lesson I learned was to trust myself and make a way for God.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started officially making music in 2022. I dropped my first song “Oops My Bad” which is still one of my most popular songs. Before that I was always apart of music any way that I could be. I’ve played the piano, flute, and the violin. I was also a section leader in my choir until college. In fact, choir in college took my to Europe for almost 3 weeks, while we toured Poland. Music was always the one thing that stayed consistent in my life.
After working with OG Bobby Billions, I convinced his engineer Duck to get me in the studio. He really helped me understand how the studio works and his guidance still echoes in my brain when I go to record. My biggest song is “Spin About You” with 200k views on Youtube within the first 3 weeks. After that I knew I couldn’t stop. No matter how bad things may get for me, I told myself I would never let my music fall by the wayside. Even at my lowest, I make sure I stay consistent. Which wasn’t always easy. Unlearning laziness and procrastination was the hardest personal goal I had to overcome, but my need to create overpowered my want to stop.

Thinking back, I have always been defiant in my own way. I was always called the “black sheep” of my family and I hated that name. Now that I’m older, I’m realizing the same characteristics that deemed me a “black sheep” are now virtues to honor. My defiance keeps me from taking any kind of defeat. It keeps me moving forward. It gives me power and strength to not conform to any standards I don’t align with. The difference between me and most people is, I can turn anything into fuel. I can turn jealousy into motivation, hate into encouragement, bitterness into thoughtfulness. I don’t allow negativity from the outside to enter my spirit and I don’t allow negativity to fester within me. It’s a gift.

I want people to know that this is something that I love to do. It’s the only time I can unapologetically be myself and I want everyone to feel that way. There is something very special about feeling understood in a world that is dedicated to misunderstandings.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The satisfaction and relief I feel after laying vocals on to a track. I am a person riddled with complex emotions and feelings, which makes it difficult to get EVERYTHING out. But with music, I can word everything in such a way, that my message is clear. I walk away feeling lighter than before. That feeling continues as I listen to the track repeatedly. It’s something so beautiful about music that you can fully relate to. Music that makes you feel something. The way it captures my story and immortalizes it, there’s nothing like it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Of course! At the end of 2023, I left my professional job for my mental health. It got to the point where, the thought of going to work, for people who didn’t see me and my coworkers as human, disabled me. So I left. As soon as I quit, I wrote so many songs. I was so stressed at that job, I couldn’t write. I couldn’t fully express myself. I felt stifled and depressed.
For months, I worked 2 jobs to make ends meets. I struggled very hard, but I rarely shed a tear. I continued to apply to full-time jobs, and sucked it up. I always felt like crying took too long, and changed nothing. I’d rather find the solution now.
During this time, I was still able to remain consistent dropping freestyles, videos, and mic drops. I was even able to perform at SXSW ‘24, opening for Big Jade, TNY Jaypee, and Saxk Boy. From the outside looking in, you couldn’t tell that my whole life turned upside down.
I don’t regret that time of my life and I don’t regret leaving my job. Had I stayed, I’d probably become bitter and even more depressed. Instead, I overcame the struggle and proved it to myself that I can survive no matter what. I never counted myself out and neither did my team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mukonii.com/river-lyons
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamriverlyons/profilecard/?igsh=dXFrOTYxdzFiZjN1
• Twitter: https://x.com/lyonsriver
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@riverlyons?si=gDMfDCpP9O0bngoP