Life & Work with Ryan Upton of Kansas City, MO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Upton

Hi Ryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Kansas City, KS (Wyandotte County) and graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts & Sciences (High School) with a scholarship to play basketball at a small university just an hour drive from home – Ottawa University (Ottawa, KS). Though my parents raised me with high standards and expectations for academics, character and integrity, I compromised on those values and priorities shortly into my freshman year in college (2003). Despite being pretty sheltered and even disinterested in the party life during high school, I allowed exactly that to consume me to the point that I was no longer the seemingly innocent and quiet kid from Sumner Academy. I indulged in the typical vices available to bored 18 year-olds with no parental oversight for the first time in my life. But the fun soon turned to bad habits that I couldn’t seem to break even when I tried. Even when it cost me not only my basketball scholarship, but my mental health!

For the next 2 years I battled severe clinical depression and anxiety and had to leave Ottawa behind to come home and get the professional help I needed. At this same time period, however, I also began to truly learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but from both an academic and life application standpoint. I had been to church several dozens of times growing up, and though we were not an overtly religious family, I would’ve told you I grew up as a Christian…but the truth was, I had no idea what that really meant until I was forced to look at what my own life had become, in contrast to the standards the Bible lays out clearly for followers of Christ…and I simply knew that I didn’t meet the standard!

So, as my healing journey back to mental health began, so did my spiritual journey. Curiosity and conviction about my sinful lifestyle eventually led to my baptism at a church called Kansas City Baptist Temple in 2004 (Now called Graceway). My previously selfish ambitions to only serve myself and my own desires eventually turned to me volunteering at urban Christian youth camps serving kids from the inner city. My little raps I would write with close friends in high school became more like a sermon in Sunday service, but over hip-hop beats! And instead of performing for my own glory, I started sincerely performing for the glory of God! Because HE saved me from a destructive lifestyle and helped restore my mental health. I was blessed indeed to have 2 loving, supportive parents to get me the help I needed in my darkest hour, but I was only receptive to that help and started taking strides on my own when the Word of God began transforming my mind in partnership with the loving family I was surrounded with. And now for the last 20 years I have given my time, energy and talents to mentoring youth, preaching and teaching God’s Word, and spreading that very Word of hope and transformation through RAP LYRICS!

My wife Courtney and I have been married for 13 years. I graduated in 2008 from Park University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and in 2020 with a Master’s degree in Bible & Theology from Calvary University. I currently work full time at Oracle Cerner. But in 2021 I started Uptown Productions, LLC. Along with my own music, I offer recording, mixing and mastering services as well as graphic design for other Christian rap artists. And as of 2023 I have also helped form the rap group called “Undrafted”, consisting of myself, Hizway, Eric Cohen, Iroc Truth, God’s Disciple, Stevie Da’ Troublemaker, V.Givens and J-Fields. I’ve now been to hundreds of venues in the KC Metro area, all around the nation, and even to South America sharing the Gospel through rap music, from churches and community outreach events to prisons, detention centers, night clubs and even theme parks!

Both my solo (Uptown) and group music (Undrafted) can be found on all digital streaming music platforms.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenges to doing ministry in any form have usually been from MYSELF and my own destructive thoughts and habits that want to creep back in to cause doubt, fear and anxiety. I am still a human with flaws, sin and emotions that at times contradict God’s Word and mission. God is still working on me, and that’s okay. But in general, people are messy. No one has it altogether. Sometimes seeing other people be their own worst enemy gets discouraging as well, because I so desparately want to see people win!

As far as music is concerned specifically, time and money are limited resources. And yet both are needed to really push the music to the masses how I envision. Most of what I do now from an audio engineering and marketing standpoint has been self-taught for this reason. A lot of sleepless nights perfecting the craft. The work never ends. All while working a full-time job and maintaining a healthy marriage.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Artistically speaking I like to consider myself of one-stop shop, jack of all trades, and DIY champion! I’ve been rapping and writing lyrics since I was 12. However, I just started producing and audio-engineering in 2020. Since then I’ve recorded, mixed and mastered about 150 songs, most of which have been for other artists who trust me with their own projects. It has been a slow grind learning this craft, and I still have a long way to go. But it is rewarding knowing that people will spend their hard earned money with me and return as a client because of the satisfactory work I’ve done. The same goes with graphic design, mostly cover art designs for singles and albums. Though I’ve always been a decent visual artist (drawing), the digital arts is a skill I’ve had to hone over time since 2020 as well.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost I have to credit my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the right motive and spiritual lens in which to see my gifts and pursue my purpose. Then my family, starting with my parents Barbra and Michael for sticking with me during those dark times and being my biggest cheerleaders today along with my siblings Alex and Olivia.

Then my UNDRAFTED crew for teaming up with me to make some amazing art for the Lord, and for being my true brothers that I can count on when life gets real. (Eric Cohen, Clifford Watkins, Stevie Bennett Jr., John Kehoe, Vincent Givens, Chris Atencio, Jason Marfield,

Mentors include current and former Pastors at my home church, Graceway, such as Jim Lee, Jeff Adams, Ron Haley, Chris Ruzicka, Brandon Smith and lifelong friends such as DeWayne Tate Jr. and Daniel Ekwue.

Former rap crew-mate David Gordon who gave me my first run at recording and doing live shows as a young novice in Christian rap nearly 20 years ago.

Jesse and Becca Kerns for encouragement, and for being my video and photography power couple!

And last but not least, my beautiful wife Courtney and my mother in-law, Renee. Without the support of my wife in these endeavors I don’t know where I’d be. There are countless others I’ve surely missed. THANK YOU ALL.

Pricing:

• Mixing/Mastering – $50/song
• Recording – $50/per song
• Cover Art – $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/uptown.productions
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uptownphil2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uptown913/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Uptown_Produxns
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMau0IkJlLGdshKRCWqpK5Q
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/uptownphil2
• Other: https://linktr.ee/undrafted_music