Ryan De La Cruz

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Ryan De La Cruz

Ryan De La Cruz
Cruz Hype Mag Cover 2018 by Jack Bridgland
Background information
Birth name	Itsan Rayan Indanda Paul
Also known as	Rombo • Swiss Cinco • Mykonos • Dragon • Boozi • Cruz • Japonais • Flyboy
Born	October 20, 1996 (age 26) Cricklewood, London, United Kingdom
Origin	Leytonstone, East London
Genres	Hip hop • R&B • Soul • Afrobeats •Afro-soul • Soukous • Rumba • Grime • Funky House • Jazz • World • Pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Composer, Arranger, Director, Actor, Model, Fashion Designer
Instruments	Vocals, drums, piano, guitar
Years active	2008-present
Labels	Soul Raw Entertainment • RCA • Void UK • Sony Music Entertainment
Website	https://www.rdlcruzofficial.com/

Itsan Rayan Indanda Paul (born 20 October 1996), known mononymously as Ryan De La Cruz, is a Congolese-British singer, actor, songwriter, model, writer, director and music producer from London. A prominent figure amongst the new generation of UK superstars and a pioneer in today's UK Congolese Music scene. Cruz is regarded as one of the most innovative, influential Afro-Brit artists of all time with his versatility, creative visuals and prolific live performances. His skill & contributions to the UK Music scene earned him support from the BBC, he was made Co-resident for 4 weeks on BBC Radio 1Xtra alongside DJ CassKid, advocating UK Alternative Music. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative project with the (Rascals) - Lil Rascals, a group in the early 2000s grime music era. In 2015, Ryan signed a deal with Plan B after playing a major lead role of Jake in critically acclaimed film ill Manors.

In 2017 his song 'Know About Me' directed by Bouha Kazmi won Vevo Track Of The Week and acclaimed best video of the year by BBC's Mistajam, DJ Semtex & DJ Target. He has appeared on tracks produced by Jae5, Troyboi, Vladimir Cauchemar, Crazy Cousins and Mikey J. He has collaborated with Ghetts, Jaja Soze, Tion Wayne, NSG, and many others.

He first emerged as a rapper releasing his debut mixtape, 'Pagans' with music producer Mikey J, co-founder of dance collective Boy Blue, in early 2016 with songs like 'Bando' 'Gotham' 'Jimmys Story'. Each song had accompanied a music video that gave him a strong entry into the UK music scene as an audio/visual artist.

2019 he released his first studio album 'Syko', with most of the production, mixing completely done by himself. This album was the introduction to Ryan's vocal & production abilities on a wider scale with a whole new look, sound & style. He then released his second studio album '23' in 2021 after the passing of his father showcasing his R&B/Soul side, touching on subjects regarding Abortion, Discrimination, Racism & Police Brutality. The project surpassed 300,000 streams within its first month with standout songs "Ten Toes" "Lately" premiered on BBC Radio 1.

Early Life

Born from a Congolese decent in Cricklewood, North West London, De La Cruz taught himself how to sing and dance at the tender age of 7. His father Rev. Dave Indanda was a Reverend and one of the early founders & spokesmen of the Congolese political nationalist movement 'Combattants' in the UK. His mother, Marie-Claire Tumbe was into modelling and tailoring. Ryan recalls growing up that the cutlery was always missing at home because he constantly took them to play drums in his bedroom. One night his father did an experiment and taught him and his two sisters how to sing in harmony; this is where Ryan's singing and talent journey started.

With five siblings, he attended church regularly and eventually began to sing in the choir with his father and fellow church members. on Saturdays his father would take him to drum lessons and eventually playing drums in the church.

Early 2000's Ryan moved to east London Forest Gate which he didn't know was in fact one of the most beneficial things that would happen to him in his career. He would watch and help his older sister Julia do lines for her drama class. One day his older sister decided to take him to her school to watch her practise for a drama show, at this early moment Ryan had met young Nick Sagar who he'd end up working alongside on the iLL Manors film.

Music career

After moving to East London, he began networking and showcasing his talent at school talent shows, he sparked a relationship with a friend at the time who's father managed the Rascals, who were very popular on the UK Grime network Channel AKA. At nine years old, Ryan was already thinking about making it big in the music business and pressured his best friend for his dad to meet his mother.

Cruz live performance AfroPfingsten in Zurich, Switzerland 2023

In an interview with Néon Music Magazine Ryan talks about his writing process "^{I COULD NEVER REALLY TELL YOU A STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY OF WRITING – I’D BE LYING IF I TOLD YOU NOW I HAD ONE. BEFORE I DID BUT NOW IT JUST COMES… FOR ME I REALLY TAKE MY TIME BECAUSE I KINDA GET MY INSPIRATIONS FROM REAL LIFE STUFF – EITHER A CONVO – OR A STORY I’VE HEARD IN THE ENDS – SOMETHING THAT PISSES ME OFF ARE THE BEST TUNES – CALL IT HARDSHIP WHATEVER}"

Having taken inspiration from old Soul and R&B classic artists, as well as drawing influence from his African roots, Ryan De La Cruz showcases not only his talent but a passion for his art and connecting with his listeners. The Hundreds described Ryan sound as a mixture of R&B, Trap, Afro & World Music, an artist truly breaking boundaries and genreless.

Clash Magazine polarised Ryan as the new voice of the African diaspora, noting his influences from Grime & R&B foundation gave him a distinctive sound. A mix of the ancient decade of UK subgenres – the smoky-voiced singer amalgamates elements of R&B , Grime to create something infectious and authentic.

Ryan struck a friendship with Plan B during the filming of iLL Manors. Both heavily influenced and mentored his development credits Plan B with teaching him the art of song writing and producing music. Ryan still spends every waking hour he can working on music – producing and song writing.

He pursued his singing career and was offered a dealbreaker development deal with Plan B’s recording imprint on Sony Music in 2013. After this great leap in his career, he humbly continued his music and acting career featuring in various short films, and on various EPs and mixtapes from the UK’s new generation.

Ryan De La Cruz live show, Switzerland 2023

Influences

Musicians: Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Frank Ocean, D’Angelo, Koffi Olomide, Wizkid, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah, Brandy,

Beats/Producers : Timbaland, Pharell Williams, Missy Elliot, Kanye West,Darkchild

Rappers: J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Ghetts, Giggs, Skepta, Dizzee Rascal

Fashion: Kate Moss, Asap Rocky, Tyler the Creator, Dennis Rodman

Ryan De La Cruz plays Winterthur Afro Fest

August 2017, Cruz signed a joint venture record deal with Sony Music Entertainment & his own record label company VoidUK. Following his viral breakthrough hit 'Know About Me' it quickly surpassed 1 Million Views in under 6 months, entering on the BBC Radio 1 B list chart for several weeks. This was the first time the UK had heard a song with bilingual Congolese dialect within a song mixing English & his home language of Lingala on british airwaves. He went on an did a spectacular 5 week residency of back to back shows selling out Koko Camden.

_Loketu

Fast forward 2022, Ryan releases a hit after changing his sound and direction whilst showcases tones of UK nuances and R&B melodies, the Afrobeats Classic Loketu, surpassed 2 million streams in less than a year across DSP's. A song which mixes Congolese culture, R&B, French & UK nuances all in one, bridging the gap between Francophone & Anglophone dialect marking him a pioneer in the UK and one of the best Congolese British artists of all time.

The song "Loketu" by Ryan De La Cruz is a sensual and upbeat track that portrays the singer's infatuation with a woman and her seductive dance moves. The Lingala skit at the beginning of the song sets the tone for the track, as the singer expresses his desire to go to the club and see this woman dance.

In the first verse, the singer expresses his willingness to go wherever this woman wants, even if it's not his usual place. He also references her connections to a criminal underworld, which hints that she may be dangerous or a bad influence. He asks her to come closer and put a watermelon on his face, which symbolizes sexual desires.

The chorus emphasizes the woman's seductive qualities, describing her body as "Smokey like cigarette" and bad for the singer's system, but also irresistible. The word "Loketu" likely refers to her hips or her dance moves and serves as a metaphor for her allure. The repeated phrase "Ningisa mwa Loketu" translates to "make me dance the Loketu," further illustrating the woman's captivating power.

Acting

Young Cruz as lead role Jake in iLL Manors

After grabbing the attention of Ben Drew (primarily known as Plan B), Ryan was auditioned in school to play a lead role in a film that Plan B both wrote and self directed Ill Manors. Rotten Tomatoes wrote "young De La Cruz impresses when he switches from macho swagger to scared child in a heartbeat."

Daniel Davids x Ryan De La Cruz on set for Meet The Adebanjos

This gave Ryan depth in terms of experience and allowed him to grow in a way he thought he never would. After he received the role of Jake, Ryan didn't stop there.. He went on to land a role 'Shawn' in British-African sitcom Meet the Adebanjos Series 2: Episode 14: Rude Boy Friend on Netflix, alongside Wale Ojo, Daniel Davids, Yetunde Oduwole which he co directed and it later on became an ultimate fan favourite.

Furthering his career on TV, Ryan was featured for the MTV show Judge Geordie Season 1, expressing the problems and altercations he faced with his best mates. The episode featuring his friends Waffle King & Xvr Blck was initially a prank pulled by the bunch but Vicky Pattison was totally unaware.

Discography

EP / Mixtapes

Ryan De La Cruz x King Apparel 2020

- Know About Me EP

- Belly EP

- Pagans EP

Studio Albums

- Syko [2019]

- 23 [2021]

- Science De La Vie [2024]

References

This article "Ryan De La Cruz" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Ryan De La Cruz. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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