Episode 5 - Get to know....Ryan Sheppard

ost David Oyuke sits down with 8 of the second cohort of new and emerging artists for The Launchpad 2025. In this episode, we get to know Ryan Sheppard.

Ryan Sheppard is an emerging rap artist from Cleveland, Ohio. Pulling sounds from boom bap, electronic, and modern rap, he has created a unique presence in the Athens, Ohio, community. Deeply inspired by Kendrick Lamar and his 2016 Grammy winning album, To Pimp A Butterfly, Ryan finds home in the story, the emotions, and the realness of rap.

We discuss the role his school librarian played in getting him into rap, his witty lyrics, technical flows, and what it means to be a masterclass in authenticity.

Artist info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wTn7o1IdhfXoqHaYcyR8v?si=xXWgVrRLSEOhL0oQHhUgyw

Acknowledgments:

Host, producer and editor - David Oyuke

Intro and outro music - Mike Muema

Videographer - Chris Joecken

Engineers: Avery Appino, Robert Schrembeck.

Special thanks:

Josh Antonuccio

Andie Walla and Team

Rylee Roquemore: Marketing

OHIO MIS Team

Prince Amoa-Mensah: Photographer

Kweku Diaw: Magazine Creative Director

OHIO Music Industry Summit: https://www.ohio.edu/music-industry-summit

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