We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Morant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

It was a mixture of raw talent and work ethic. I’ve been playing drums my entire life. Once production sparked my interest, I started studying my personal favorites and their personal favorites. It took alot of hours practicing in order to make the first beat that I thought was “good” lol. Discipline and focus is paramount to learning any craft as well. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve done a few things different, but everything has gotten me to the point I am right now. Learn the ins and outs of what it is you want to do. It won’t always be fun, but It’ll be at your pace. There are too many resouces out now for excuses.

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?

My name is High Ryse. Born and raised in South Carolina. Grew up in a traditional southern baptist church so I’ve heard music forever. Choirs singing, musicians playing, I was good enough to be the drummer for my home church around age 10-11. That led to me becoming a member of the high school marching band while still in middle school. by 10th grade I was captain of the drumline. I never took a step in my path for granted. Practice, practice, PRACTICE makes greatness , not perfect. I had aspirations to get into the music industry in college. I quickly realized I had to begin traveling to network in the “hotspots” of what and where I wanted to do and become. Professionally, I produce music, market and promote records, and am a liason for a few different facets of the music business. I’ve helped artists go from unknown to achieving platinum certifications. I can also be a therapist, counselor, whatever the artist needs from me to be the best version of themselves. I provide with my company Air Traffic KTRL. Think of it as an air traffic controller directing planes to land and takeoff. That’s how I am with clients. You can trust me because I’ll be the personal guide for a project. What sets me apart is that there isn’t an official job title for what I do, so I’ve adapted the “music swiss army knife” because any tool I have equipped. I’m most proud of peers and people I respect acknowledging my influence, work ethic, and know how. A brand stratetigist that helps you reach your finish line. Willing to do what others don’t want to or can’t do. Under promising and over delivering. That’s how I want to be overviewed.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2020, during the pandemic. No one, NO ONE knew what was going to happen next. Jobs were being lost, The average person was just trying to make it through the uncertain days. I used this time frame to shine and let my gifts do so as well. I reached out to my network and asked if there were any tasks they needed assistance with FOR FREE. To prove myself. A year later. That resilience and diligence led to me receiving my first multi-platinum plaque.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that just because you’re talented, that doesn’t mean that someone will come knocking on your door. You can’t be afraid to network. You HAVE TO get out of your comfort zone to be comfortable later. I was trying to figure out why I was being “overlooked” but that was not the case. I had not done enough work yet. And it’s still more to do. That’s the main lesson I had to unlearn. NOTHING IS GIVEN, EVERYTHING IS EARNED.    

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/highryse
• Facebook: facebook.com/highryse843
• Twitter: twitter.com/highryse

Image Credits
The Hilltop Glove Podcast The Iron Fist Cook Up Air Traffic KTRL