Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Schackow.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio.
I started recording and making music in 2011.
I scraped together money to get myself Recording equipment and a home studio set up.
Within a few months of recording a few rough raps, I was already taking on friends and clients to record in my hometown.
With little to no experience, I quickly fell in love with the process of writing and recording.
I built some good relationships and a foundation for what I do now.
I sought formal education in audio engineering at a Community College but quickly dropped out after learning some basics.
I spent the better part of 10 years struggling in active addiction.
Still writing, producing and recording music for myself, friends and other artists.
Performing live became another love in music, gaining a lot experience on stange but
Never really reaching my full potential. Allowing substance abuse to get in the way.
I moved to Nashville in 2016 in hopes to change my life for the better.
I graduated from Dark Horse Institute. which was a huge accomplishment.
Ultimately my problems with addiction followed me to The Volunteer State.
After a DUI and other run-ins with the law leading to County Jail and DUI Court in Williamson County in Feb. 2019.
I finally got clean April 19th 2019 and haven’t had a drink in 7 years.
Since then I’ve been able to rebuild my relationships.
my goal is to show people who struggle the way I do that there Is always a way back if you’re will to be Honest, Open and Willing . Honest about your choices , open to to a new way and willing to change. I’m far from perfect and have made mistakes , What’s important is to learn from them .
Drugs and alcohol led to most of the problems in my life.
I can no longer hurt myself and the people who love me because of my decisions.
I found a new love for life without alcohol .
After getting sober I released 58 songs under the Name “Rooftop Ruckus”
& 48 songs under the Name “Ben Schack.”
I found the love of my life at the restaurant I worked at
& have been able to continue my dream making music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I struggle with Anxiety, depression and addiction.
Dealing with loss and rejection. Learning to use them as fuel instead of letting them destroy you.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a rapper , producer and audio engineer.
I specialize in writing songs and everything that comes with it.
I found a love for all types of music but heavily influenced by hip hop, rock , EDM , R&B .
Each of my songs sound different from the last but all tie together with the stories I’m telling about addiction with intricate rhyme schemes.
I’m the most proud of my Latest Project ” Another Day in Paradise”
an album I wrote about the struggles of working full time at a regular job trying to chase a dream.
“Another day in paradise” is a play on the phrase people use as a response to ” how’s it goin?” at a job they hate.
I think my ability to blend different styles into my beats and instrumentation with a unique pot of lyricism sets me apart from the rest.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I used to think I had bad luck.. But I see now how TRUELY lucky I have been.
As it turns out, I was just making bad decisions…
shocker…
but I am extremely lucky and grateful to be standing here today
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/BenSchack
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftopruckus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchackThaCreature
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMLxaUk7xN3B8XaLXWZHbmg
