Ryan Anthony

Southern University is packed with talented young artists from all walks of life. From musicians, to visual artists, and even students who design their own clothes, Southern has it all! Some of these artists, however, are undeniably great! Ryan Williams (stage named “Ryan Anthony”) is one of those individuals with sheer talent!

Ryan Anthony, a native of New Orleans and a Senior Music Performance major at Southern is one of the most popular “up and coming” artists on Southern’s campus and in surrounding areas. Getting his start singing in his church choir, Ryan admits he did not have a very confident start, but with the support of his family, he realized he had a wonderful talent. From then on, he began singing in talent shows throughout his school career and learned to read and write his own music which gave him the opportunity to be a part of the Southern University “Human Jukebox” where he led the baritone section during the 2014-2015 season.

Ryan took Southern University students by surprise when he released his single “Reaction x3” during the summer of 2014. Fans loved the single so much that Ryan decided to release his first EP entitled “Phase 1” on May 1, 2015. It has quickly become popular with students at Southern and has also reached people as far as Germany and Italy! Ryan is excited about how far his music career has gone in such a short amount of time and the plans for his future.

Who is Ryan Anthony?

I am a dreamer. I’ve had the dream of being a professional musician ever since I could remember. I am a serious and experienced musician. I’m a songwriter. I’m extremely passionate about my craft. I’m a very hard worker. I cannot fail. No matter what obstacles come my way there’s no other end result than to be successful. All in all, I’m here to create great music that moves something in your soul.

Why did you name your new EP “Phase 1″?

In the early stages of writing and recording “Phase 1″, I was trying to think of something that would reflect the music and myself. I came up with “Phase 1″ for two reasons: 1.) this EP serves as the introduction of my career and 2.) in order to complete a cycle there has to be stages of maturity or growth. “This is just ‘The Warm-Up’.”

What has been the most popular song from the EP?

The song that has been a “fan favorite” and the most downloaded and streamed song is Reaction x3. Reaction x3 has been streamed on SoundCloud over 4,300 times.

How long did you work on “Phase 1″?

Many of the songs on the EP I’d written over a year ago but it wasn’t until recently that I secured the funds to actually record and put out the project.

What is your favorite song from the EP?

All of my songs mean a lot to me. They are my babies. If I had to choose one favorite of mine it would be “Show Me (How to Love)”. But I have a soft spot for every song on “Phase 1″.

What are your future goals?

I would love to perform a sold out show at Madison Square Garden with all the people there to see me showcase my gift from God. I would also love to win a Grammy. I would love to be recognized for my talents on any scale and to inspire people and change lives.

If you could, what message would you give to young artists like yourself who aspire to do some of the same things you’ve done?

GO FOR IT! Never let anyone steal your joy or tell you what you can’t do. Some people will let you down, but you have to remain strong and find the ones who really have your best interests at heart. Be confident in yourself and give it your all! The sky is the limit!

Ryan Anthony’s “Phase 1″ can be downloaded via iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon. To see Ryan in action check out his performance at SU’s 2015 Springfest Concert! Follow Ryan Anthony on Instagram and Twitter @SangLikeMe. - The Rouge Collection