Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Dillard.
Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ryan DJ stage one Dillard Dillard I’ve been active in twin city’s hip-hop culture since 1986. Before that, I was a spectator trying my hand as a B-Boy (breakdancer) before officially becoming a young graffiti writer throughout my junior high and high school days. I collected vinyl records and cassette tapes during this time but I didn’t become a full-fledged DJ until after I graduated from Patrick Henry high school in 1990. I spun records at major clubs and opened up for many local and national artists from around the globe.. In 2009, created a photoshoot based on the classically timeless photo of the Jazz greats taken by Art Kane called “a great day in Harlem” in 1958. Since then we have retaken the photo in 2015 and the final one in May of 2021. I moved to Atlanta Georgia for three years and began working on my book about my coming of age during hip-hop’s infant stages in the Twin Cities called ” the bridge is over”. I moved back to Minnesota in 2017 and self published my book commemorating all the young artists who paved the way for the culture to be where it is today decades later. I’m currently an active participant in the culture who tries keeping the historical aspect of hip-hop alive while continuing to be progressive in its advancement worldwide.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Getting people to support something new and innovative. The photoshoot and book ideas were new to this community as far as hip-hop so many disagreed with me about its successes when it comes to participation in the photoshoot and readership for my book. I’ve struggled with lack of support throughout my tenure in some form or another.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love being creative artwise from painting to music but my transition into maintenance and repair is very gratifying as I follow in the footsteps of my mother & grandfather who both had a green thumb and a knack for fixing things. I started out attempting to repair stereo amplifiers, dj mixers and speakers, overtime it blossomed into gaining my property management certificate, a boilers license and years later a job in the engineering department of a local resort. I found something that I wanted to do that turned into a career and I am currently enrolling in an HVAC class to widen my prospects in the professional world.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The sky’s the limit from the arts to employment in the twin cities. There’s a certain freedom here that isn’t allowed in other cities but there is also an undercurrent in the cities streets and establishments that has set us back to the dark ages in the last couple of years and unfortunately, the world has come to know our city for police brutality, racial injustices and murders, hopefully, we can change that back in the near future through dialog and peaceful engagements.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/djstageone
- Twitter: Twitter.com/djstageone
- Youtube: Youtube.com/djstageone
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/djstageone
- Other: Twitch.com/djstageone87
Image Credits
Uchephotography
Roosevelt Mansfield
