Nathan Ryan, YouTube Sensation, Rapper, Actor, and MC Personality, released his debut album “Self-Centered” on July 19, 2011. Ryan was invited on the Vans Warped Tour and traveled the country signing CD’s, having meet and greets with fans, and helping the FeedOurChildrenNOW charity. Cliché got the chance to interview this versatile, down-to-earth, up-and-coming artist about his career, passions, and hopes for the future.
Q: Tell me about yourself and your career/passions.
A: My name is Nathan Ryan. I was born in Colorado Springs and I am currently 23 years old. I grew up wanting to be an actor for film and television but didn’t know how to get my name out there so I started putting videos up on YouTube. After making 1 video each week while going to school, I then started to get a fan base and I haven’t stopped since then. I started out making comedy skits, but have always had a passion for music, but didn’t know how to go about it. I then started to mix music and comedy by making song parodies and posting them on my YouTube channel. The reaction was great! So I kept going with them. After making parodies people wanted to hear some original music so I made a rap album called “Self-Centered”. I recorded and did everything in my parent’s basement and had NO CLUE what I was really doing. After learning a little bit more I came out with a new sound, which was, me rapping over dub step and house music beats. The EP is called TRANSFORMED and is now on iTunes and I am headlining a US tour this year in which I will be performing songs from that EP!
Q: Where do you currently live?
A: I currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is my home. Where everything started. I love it here and it will always be a special place to me.
Q: Who are your musical inspirations?
A: My musical inspirations are Travie McCoy because I just love the energy that he brings to his music. I love Cute Is What We Aim For because their music got me through a lot while I was going through a tough breakup with my first girlfriend. Shaant (Lead singer of CIWWAF) and I talk every now and then and every time I tell him thank you for helping me out when he didn’t even know what he was doing. Very cool dude!
Q: How has YouTube changed your life/career?
A: YouTube has changed my life significantly! I now can make a video, post it and then have thousands of people watch it and make them laugh and just ignore all the BS that everyday things bring and just sit back and enjoy a good laugh. There is too much stress with everything going on these days so I am glad I can be one of the people who help people out. Plus I never thought that making YouTube videos as a career would sometimes make it hard for me to go to a mall or restaurant without people asking if I am the “Guy from YouTube.” It’s crazy but I love it!
Q: Why did you start creating parodies?
A: I started creating parodies to try something new with my videos and people started liking them and they had a positive feedback (minus the haters but hey! you can’t please everyone). Plus my parodies seem to always get stuck in people’s heads. I kind of feel bad when someone tells me, “So this song came on the radio, but I keep singing your version instead.” I’m just like “sowwwwwyyyyy.”
Q: When did you start getting interested in music and acting?
A: I started getting into acting when I was about 17 and was in a few movies and TV shows and then started getting into music when I was 22.
Q: What project do you think has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
A: My greatest accomplishment so far has probably been getting in the Keep A Breast magazine that was distributed nationwide because I was talking about my grandma in the magazine and then shortly after she died from breast cancer and then the magazine came out. To me that meant a lot just because of the meaning. That was a very proud yet sad moment for my family and I.
Q: What are some other interests you have?
A: I love cars. I have always wanted a Lamborghini and when I was little I always told my dad that one day I am going to buy one so him and I can drive around town and just enjoy the ride! Hopefully one day it will happen!
Q: Tell me about the Warped Tour 2011.
A: Warped Tour 2011 was so much fun! It was my first time ever touring where I had a chance to meet my fans. I had signings everyday and it was so amazing to get to meet the people who had been supporting me for the past couple years. Met a lot of musicians that were also a part of the tour and they all ruled! The only thing I never knew was of how hot it was. It was pretty brutal not gonna lie. Don’t get me wrong I LOVED traveling to a new city everyday seeing and meeting new people but that summer heat will drain you out so quick. Great experience overall! I mean what’s better than music, great people and traveling the country?!
Q: What would we be surprised to learn about you?
A: One thing that you would be surprised to learn about me is that I never eat the ends of French fries! When I was in middle school, I would always buy the French fries, but the ends were always burnt. So I would always eat the French fry, but never the ends. Even to this day I still do it. People say I am weird but I’m okay with that 
Q: What do your fans mean to you?
A: My fans mean the world to me!!!! If it weren’t for them I would’ve stopped a long time ago to be honest. I get messages all the time from fans on Facebook or Twitter saying that when they have a bad day they go watch my videos and they feel a lot better. I would do anything for them. I can’t wait for this upcoming tour to meet new ones and reunite with the ones I have met before! I call my fans Ninjas and they are the best fans in the world! NinjaGang or die!
Ryan plans to start recording a new album that will be released in the summer of 2012. Check him out on purevolume.com (http://www.purevolume.com/new/Nathan_Ryan), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NathanRyan), on his Tumblr website (http://thenathanryan.com/), or on his featured show every Wednesday night on Stickam.com to get updates on his life and career.
