RYZ set on making music career as a storyteller

New to the dancehall scene, RYZ (pronounced 'Rise') is looking to make a powerful impact on the entertainment industry by producing music based on true stories.

The artiste, given name Raheem Webster, says the moniker was given to him after he wrote his first track I Will Rise. The song highlighted his determination to overcome the struggles.

"I always knew that music was my calling," he told THE STAR. The only question that came into play was which genre he would pursue. He got his answer unexpectedly.

His talent was first showcased as a singer in the house of the Lord. That came as no surprise, as his grandfather is a pastor and both of his grandparents are musically inclined.

"All the children and grandchildren played instruments and sang in the choir," RYZ said. The 24-year-old also explained that he sang in school, and also played the drums and danced. Dancing reigned as his main love until he met recording artiste Apollo Tafari and his guitar.

"Just the passion from his music inspired me to try it for myself," RYZ said. His diverse musical background, paired with a strong belief system, was all the foundation he needed.

"My first song took me a while to finish. At the time, I was good at telling stories and rhyming but I was not confident in my vocals," he said.

With Apollo Tafari guiding him through the basics of music and giving him a pragmatic approach to the world through performances, he was soon on his way to embarking on a solo career. After writing that first song, performing it and getting good feedback, the decision was made official. His new release, Lose My Mind, speaks about falling in love with a woman who isn't his girlfriend. RYZ, who is a fan of freestyling in the studio, says he prefers to put pen to paper, in order to have the storyline and melody in check.

"Music has a mystic vibe and you have to go with whatever you feel, so all styles of creating music counts," he said.