An Interview with Ryan Mackin
- BuzzSlayers
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you are not familiar with the music of Ryan Mackin don't let us be among the first to introduce you as the artist has released several outstanding and very conscious, honest hip hop singles that don't skip a beat, have brilliant lyrical phrasing, and come at you with loads of personality, including one of my personal favorites "It's Possible".
This is one of my top tracks for this artist simply because of that intense honesty and perfectly balanced energy throughout its course. He's able to blend a little bit of freshness into a sort of old-school hip hop approach, and all the while, he's being super truthful about letting a lot of inner thoughts come spilling out for all to soak in.
This is what gives the song so much character and personality. You end up getting attached to that character throughout the song and start fiending for more.
This is a perfect track to get hooked on the artist in general. You have a sort of cinematic beat, again bringing a bit of classic approach to the table, and some strings that give it some depth and also set the mood for the lyrics really well.
This is a track that crosses dark and light together. It is super honest, as I mentioned before, and speaks of an almost endless struggle but also an appreciation for opening your eyes and having another day.
It's a track about powering through those struggles, challenges, and interruptions.
It's inspirational because it's about moving forward no matter what. Being able to progress, understand, comprehend, and reinvent when needed.
We all have to deal with struggles. Every person you meet on the street is going through something in some way. It may not be on the surface, but it's in there.
It's amazing to me how Ryan can pinpoint that kind of aspect with such agility and a sort of wisdom to be able to articulate these kinds of emotions and struggles into words that anyone can relate to and understand.
The song has an excellent flow, and it is a bit intense at times because of those lyrics, but again, it's so relatable that almost anyone really gets it.
I love the light at the end of the tunnel aspect of this song. It's almost always there, but it's also unafraid, vulnerable, and doesn't hold anything back in terms of letting you know about the kind of challenges that life can bring. But it also gets right into having the strength to overcome those problems or challenges.
This is a spirited track. It is something that showcases an artist who gives pieces of himself in his music and probably records and writes his music as a form of therapy.
Another recent single called "Street Prayers" delivers more robust character and gets into depth in different aspects of life, but it's all articulated wonderfully. He really puts things in sort of a straightforward and understandable way. Nothing goes over your head, and this track has a unique sort of rhythm and lyrical phrasing as well. It's less of that old school style, and it has a bit of a refreshing outside-the-box kind of vibe.
"Never Stopping" is another absolute banger where he showcases a bit of swagger, still stays honest and true to himself, but also branches off into different directions. This track has a much more new-school radio style to it. It's got edginess and a little bit of aggression, but that's cool too, because again, it's all part of living.
His songs are like diary entries.
Once you hear one, you want to listen to the next one just to catch more of his story. I really love this aspect because you don't come across that super often, so when you do, it's really refreshing to hear.
Spotify page, and they're all well worth listening to because if you like one of them, you're definitely going to like a lot of the other ones or all of them.
He's got a very particular flavor that's all his own. This is what helps the record stand out, and I feel like this is stuff that people need to hear.
Again, I would start with "It's Possible", not just because it's my favorite, but because it's an amazing introduction to his world and music.
Now, upon listening to this song and others, I definitely realize I wanted to have a sit-down with Ryan and talk about where the song came from and what might be coming up next for him.
So while you listen to these songs, have a read through of our interview with Ryan Mackin below.
Remember where you heard this all first.
Let's talk about "It's Possible!"! This song was honest and conscious style hip hop that blended classic approaches in there too! Where did this track come from?
This was definitely an honest and authentic track that represents my sound and who I am as an artist. It really came from a performance I had in New York City. I was extremely motivated, had tunnel vision, and something just told me to keep writing. I was in my hotel room the day of the show, completely dialed in. When I heard the beat and the sample at the beginning, I knew it was something I needed to start writing to.
“It’s Possible” really stems from that opening sample. It gave me a strong “Lose Yourself” type of energy, and everything just came naturally after that. I ended up writing the song in about an hour and a half.
I'm hearing a few different approaches to this single! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I know it might sound a little cliché or obvious, but it’s definitely Eminem. To me—and to a lot of people—I feel like he’s the best lyricist of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time when it comes to putting words together and dissecting them. He’s mastered every aspect of it, and on top of that, he paints incredibly vivid pictures in your head when you listen to his music.A few other artists who really played a role in shaping me from my childhood into adulthood are Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Biggie, Tupac, Drake, and definitely Lil Baby. These are all artists who have consistently impacted music, stayed authentic, and remained true to their sound and the way they approach the mic.
Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?
I’ve always recorded in home setups—whether that was on a screened-in porch, at my mom’s house in Florida, or even in hotel rooms. I’ve never really had the luxury of working consistently with an engineer or producer, so over the years I’ve learned to handle everything myself and put out the best quality music I can.
From the idea to the final product and release, I do it all—recording, editing, and promotion. One of the few times I got to fully step into a studio was for Choose Wisely with my friend Brian Jai in Connecticut, where we recorded, mixed, mastered, and even shot the video in the same day. That ended up being one of my strongest projects visually.
I’d love to get back into a studio environment where I can focus solely on recording and putting all my energy into the lyrics.
How did this all start for you as an artist?
It really started at a young age. I was drawn to music early on, especially hip-hop, and it became a way for me to express things I couldn’t always put into words. At first it was just writing, freestyling, and recording wherever I could, but over time it turned into something more serious.
As I got older, music became less of a hobby and more of a purpose. I realized I wasn’t just doing this for fun—I was doing it because I had something to say and a story to tell. From recording in makeshift home setups to performing live and building my own label, it’s been a gradual process of growth, learning, and staying committed to the craft. Music has always been there for me, and I’ve just never stopped pursuing it.
Are you performing live right now?
Right now, I’m more focused on my content and really fine-tuning everything. I’ve been extremely dialed in over the past month and a half. Unfortunately, the day after Christmas, my mother passed away unexpectedly in her sleep, and that completely changed my perspective on life and music. She was always my biggest supporter.Now it’s time to take everything I’ve built—and everything she watched me work toward over the past 15 years—and push harder than ever. This is bigger than music now. I thought I was focused before, but this has given me a different level of drive, a real killer instinct. Every time I record a new track, I leave everything I have in it.
Now that this is out, what's next for you?
That’s honestly something I don’t know yet—and even if I did, it’s not something I’d explain in an interview. I like staying ten steps ahead of the next artist or anyone trying to get in my way. I’m very focused, like I said, and my next move will definitely be something that grabs everyone’s attention and really starts a conversation.
Who's in your headphones right now?
I know this question is more about what artists I’m listening to, so I’ll be honest—I’m not really listening to many artists right now. I’ve been locked in on the producers I work with and tapping in with a few close mentors who’ve been helping me navigate some things behind the scenes. I’m in a pretty focused season, and I’ve been keeping my ears on what’s next, not what’s trending
What would you tell people they can expect on this release?
We can definitely expect a lot more energy and a whole different approach on this next single I’m releasing on February 22. It’s called “Who’s Next,” and it’s a faster-paced, more aggressive sound than my previous record, “Street Prayers.” “Street Prayers” was something I’d been working on for a while and it was a really personal track, but this one is going to put me in motion and set the tone for what’s coming next.
Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
Well, most importantly, if you’re a fan and you’re reading this, thank you. I genuinely appreciate any support, commitment, or time you’ve spent listening to my work—it means a lot and it matters.
In the grand scheme of things, that’s really why I’ve kept making music. I’ve dedicated a big part of my life to it because I want people to feel like they’re not alone when it comes to pain, struggle, or anything like that. Life isn’t always about being happy, and I think a lot of people forget that. And the journey—whether it’s success or just getting to where you want to be—it’s not really about the end result. It’s about the process and the lessons you learn along the way.
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