Ryan the Person carries the south side into every set

Ryan Person, known professionally as Ryan the Person, has emerged as a dynamic force within Chicago’s music scene by weaving together the city’s rich sonic heritage with a deeply personal approach to performance. At 30 years old, his career is marked by versatility, oscillating between the turntables and the drum kit, and rooted in a profound connection to the south side of Chicago.

Raised amid the diverse musical influences of his neighborhood, Ryan’s earliest exposure to rhythm came through the church, where he began drumming as a child in 2003. This formative environment laid the groundwork for his intricate understanding of timing, rhythm, and musical intuition. By his mid-teens, he had expanded his musical palette, gravitating toward DJing around 2015, a craft where his eclectic tastes could flourish.

The south side’s mosaic of genres—spanning house, hip-hop, soul, jazz, gospel, and R&B—continues to inform Ryan’s artistic identity. Rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions, he approaches music as a shared language, blending eras and styles into seamless narratives. His DJ sets are characterized by inventive transitions and mashups that recontextualize familiar songs, encouraging audiences to experience them in unexpected ways. One notable example includes a 2020 mashup mixing T-Pain’s “Can’t Believe It” with D’Angelo’s “Lady,” a creative fusion that challenged listeners’ perceptions and broadened appreciation.

Ryan’s initial forays into DJing were grounded in community events such as birthday parties and local celebrations, which doubled as practical education in audience engagement and set curation. These early experiences underscored the potential for music to sustain a livelihood while fostering communal connection.

Integral to his presence in the city’s nightlife are two key event series: Sounds for the Soul and Saturday Luv. Sounds for the Soul, curated by fellow south sider Ryan Moses, has featured Ryan the Person as a recurring guest DJ, focusing on R&B and hip-hop. Meanwhile, Saturday Luv, Ryan’s own creation launched in 2022, explores a broader spectrum of global sounds and future beats. These gatherings serve not only as entertainment but as cultural hubs where music facilitates discovery and social bond-making.

What distinguishes Ryan’s performances is his acute sensitivity to the energy of each audience. He emphasizes the importance of “reading the room,” adjusting his selections dynamically to maintain collective engagement and maximize the shared experience. This adaptability reflects a broader philosophy that originality in DJing is less about novelty in song choice and more about the unique manner of presentation and connection.

Beyond the decks, Ryan’s proficiency as a drummer has expanded his professional horizons. He has performed alongside Chicago rapper J Bambii and was invited on tour with singer and poet Jill Scott after she discovered his live performances online. This opportunity marked a significant milestone, allowing him to perform in prestigious venues across the United States, from New York’s Kings Theatre to Charlotte’s Belk Theater, illustrating a trajectory from local scenes to national stages.

Another highlight came in the summer of 2022 when Ryan joined acclaimed Chicago rapper Saba for a high-profile performance in New York’s Central Park. This collaboration underscored his growing reputation within the industry and his ability to contribute meaningfully to high-caliber live shows.

As his career matures, Ryan is becoming more selective about the projects he undertakes, recognizing the importance of sustainability in the arts. He has expressed an interest in shifting focus toward his own musical creations, signaling a forthcoming evolution from collaborator and curator to recording artist.

The moniker Ryan the Person, adopted in 2017 during his time at Columbia College Chicago, encapsulates both a personal and community-oriented ethos. Despite occasional skepticism about the name’s origin, it represents a grounded identity tied to his roots.

Looking ahead, Ryan is poised to carry the essence of Chicago’s south side onto international stages. His upcoming European tour as drummer for local artist Sparklmami will showcase the breadth of the city’s musical traditions abroad. Whether through his blending of genres on the turntables or rhythmic contributions behind the drums, Ryan the Person embodies a living narrative of Chicago’s cultural vibrancy and its enduring capacity to inspire and unite.