THE GHOST: RYAN BOWSER

St. LOuis, MISSOURI | RYAN “GHOST” BOWSER

INTERVIEW REALIFE PHOTO EDO LINETTE WATSON

Hailing from the Saint Louis, Missouri, Multi Platinum Producer, Grammy winner Ryan “Ghost” Bowser since he began producing years ago from a skating-rink recording studio in his hometown. Known for his infectious, crossover pop R&B melodies, Ryan’s music related resume includes numerous accolades  such as winning Grammy Awards and Soul Train Awards plus MTV Video Music Awards nominations. Some of Ryan’s most notable chart dominating singles include “Dilemma” from fellow St. Louis native, rapper Nelly’s “Nellyville” album released in 2002 by Universal Records, Arista R&b artist Toya’s most poplar hit “I Do“ released in 2001 and the “Me U & Hennessy” remix for Dej Loaf featuring Lil Wayne in 2015 by Columbia Records. Whether producing or co-writing, it’s Ryan’s merit with raw and original sound that has captivated the ears of many. Validated spoke with Ryan “Ghost” Bowser to discuss how he got his start in the music industry, some of his musical accomplishments and accolades, what’s next and more.

“It’s one thing to hear your close friends like and dig your music but its another thing when the world is loving your music. For me it was about the reactions good and bad that allowed me to see how people process music.” - Ryan “Ghost” Bowser

VALIDATED: Being from St. Louis, Missouri, what’s your earliest memory of music culture?

RYAN BOWSER: My earliest memory of music culture really goes back to the Motown era. Growing up I always heard the music of Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Little Stevie Wonder and of course The Jackson 5. Also because my parents were musicians themselves amongst being assistant pastors and choir directors, I had and have a heavy background in gospel music. I'd hear my dad playing James Cleveland or Andre Crouch or my mom would be jamming to Mississippi Mass Choir and as I started doing my own thing for me it was Take 6 and Commission and John P Kee. Plus I was always into jazz music because of my dad who had a massive collection of jazz greats like Thelonius Monk to Miles Davis, to John Coltrane to Chick Corea which is fusion jazz. Music was my atmosphere day in and day out which is why I have such a huge range in music I can play in.

VALIDATED: You initially started producing from a skating-rink recording studio in St. Louis, how did the opportunity come about?

RYAN BOWSER: Producing out of the skating rink formerly known as Saints Roller Rink, its no longer around unfortunately, so many great talents recorded out of that place. Initially I was off into producing music after my father died when I was 16 and in the mindset of keeping my dad's dream going I decided to produce for people locally. So my mom would put up flyers around advertising our company my dad had started and plus the few people my dad worked with still were coming to me for music well after he passed away. So, one day I get this call from this person named Antoine Macon who at the time he wanted to sing but later decided he wanted to write. We started hanging out, vibing over music and eventually became partners. I was the one who always did the music, he would have some cool lyric concepts so we started building that way. He eventually took a job up at Saints and he became cool with the manager David Stith and it pretty much went from there. He let David hear some of the music I had done, and I eventually met David and he invited us to work out of his studio. Though me and my partner have long split from working with each other, I had a blast!

VALIDATED: Which producers influenced your production style and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?

RYAN BOWSER: in terms of producers that influenced me, that's a longggggg conversation in itself. Dr.Dre had a lot of influence on me in my earlier career. geshhh, I remember hearing his sound with NWA and then Deep Cover and then The Chronic! The way he would shape his sounds especially those Moog leads against the backing rhythms as if the melodies where in syncopation with each other is what taught me how to make a track ride. Dre has a unique orchestration to his music, there are these layers he creates but sonically sound simple which is what taught me how to layer sound. Another producer who had and still has an influence on me till this day is Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. His overall songwriting and musical compositions is what taught me structure to a song and progressions. His formula in melody both vocally and musically and how it's suppose to move with feeling is what really gave me my classic r&b foundation. Timberland and The Neptunes opened up my creative mind to manipulating sound in ways to where I could take the weirdest sound and make the world dance or get into their emotions. They really etched out this thinking in me to just try different things, if it worked, it worked and if it didn't that's cool too at least I tried it.

VALIDATED: In the beginning of your career you sold tracks to local artists like the St. Lunatics, how significant were they in kickstarting your career and vice versa? 

RYAN BOWSER: The Lunatics played a vital part in my career, one in particular, City Spud. He and I connected instantly because by nature he's a musician and his ear is different. Where I hear things sonically he hears them rhythmically. Me and him made so much music on the side with each other it ain't funny at all. He'd start the drum tracks and then I'd fill in the rest with keys, strings, even singing a hook. I think we were both beneficial to each other in the sense of we could bounce ideas off each other and make magic happen effortlessly.

VALIDATED: In 2001 you co-wrote and produced the majority of Arista Records r&b artist Toya’s debut album, what did this collaboration do for your career? 

RYAN BOWSER: The Toya album was an interesting album for 2 reasons. When she was in New York recording I was in st. louis just sending tracks to her via my partner but secondly it gave me the creative space to be creative as much as I wanted to be. That album really started me on my path of honing my skills and seeing how the world would respond to my sound. Its one thing to hear your close friends like and dig your music but its another thing when the world is loving your music. For me it was about the reactions good and bad that allowed me to see how people process music. It also introduced me to the business side of things and the importance of knowing the business for yourself in every aspect. I’m a firm believer now a days, that there is no reason to be ignorant if you'll just pick up a book and read.

VALIDATED: Two years later you earned a Grammy and two Soul Train and MTV nominations for producing “Dilemma”, the most successful song of rapper Nelly’s career. Did you have any idea that the record would take off the way it did?

RYAN BOWSER: I never had an idea that “Dilemma” would become the hit it did. During that time in my life I was struggling in life and depressed. I remember making that track at Antoine's house. He was playing a video game with his brother. stressed, I was on the equipment just making a track that I didn't like because it only reflected my sadness inside. I had 2 newborn twins that I didn’t have the slightest clue of how I would raise and barely making it off of a tiny church check I'd get from playing on Sundays.

VALIDATED: “Dilemma” currently sits at 67 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs Of All Time. I call that “legendary” but how would you describe this achievement?

RYAN BOWSER: I'd simply call that achievement The Lord's blessing over my life. There’s no other way to explain it. There are somethings in life we can do in our own strength and make happen but being on them charts for this long is purely all The Lord's doing. 

VALIDATED: Who are a few of the other major label artist you’ve produced for?

RYAN BOWSER:  I've produced for Bow Wow, Pretty Ricky, 112, Monica (I really loved working with her. I want to work with her again.) Dmx (he's a genius and a good dude, real talk!)

VALIDATED: You’re able to make music at an elite level across different genres, be it pop, rap or R&B, what do you attribute your versatility to?

RYAN BOWSER: I attribute my versatility to God and my overall love for music in general really. I'm a fan of all genres of music because it feeds me in some form. I'm naturally a creative person in so many ways beyond music. I believe music takes us on a journey and discovery of ourselves and if you're not afraid to discover yourself you'll uncover some very divinely unique things along the way on this journey.

VALIDATED: How did you get the nickname “Ghost”?

RYAN BOWSER: Thats the million dollar question how did I get the name Ghost lol. As my good friend B.U. Da Local would but it " I was known but yet still unknown". He's been around me for along time because he's an amazing rap artist I've worked with and basically he saw how I would not get the proper recognition for my work because I was overlooked. People dealt more with my ex partner than me, during that time in my life I was the quiet person and to a degree I'm still quiet but I'm quick to call you out when I see or hear B.S. whether its personal or business. Im a straight forward person not one to kiss anybody's tail for anything. I only chase after God... real talk! So I eventually took on that name Ghost because I felt well I'll just move in silence and never be seen but that was back then. Now I go by my name "Ryan Dimitri" that's special and powerful enough right there plus i don't live in the shadows anymore.

VALIDATED: After a hiatus to take care of family you returned and produced the hit single “Me U & Hennessy” for Dej Loaf featuring Lil Wayne. What was it like getting back in the studio after your hiatus? 

RYAN BROWSER: To be honest during that whole time of that hiatus, I was perfecting my sound and making music on the low working with indie artist all over. When it came time to do the “Me, U & Hennessy” record I was ready for it. I produced that record with my good friend and producer named DDS and it felt good. I didn't feel out of pocket or out of sync at all. Being a musician you never lose the feel of how to create, you may need to brush up on a few things but the ability to mold and shape and craft out hit songs is instinctively embedded in us as musical creatures.

VALIDATED: What’s next for Ryan ”Ghost” Bowser?

RYAN BOWSER: Whats next for me is working on a few more major recording projects, a new artist out of st.louis named Marlee J (A Young World), also getting off into film as far as writing. I’m also getting off into a new philanthropic endeavor which I'm really excited about called “Helping Hands Community Outreach” which is located in Dallas, Texas. They do a lot of things for the homeless and so many families that I truly fully support not just because its the right thing to do. at one point in time I was homeless so I know what its like. go follow them on Facebook at “Helping Hands Community Outreach Group”. I'm getting ready to launch a YouTube channel so I can share my story and testimony and hope it inspires the world to become better and dream bigger. 

VALIDATED: Who are some up and coming producers from St. Louis that you’re feeling right now?

RYAN BOWSER: As far as up and coming producers out of St.Louis, you have Rocky Byrd "BlackByrd", you have Kevin Dean Jr "Kevo On The Track". those 2 I personally mentored and they are dope musicians at heart. You have a lot of other young producers in St.Louis that I don't personal know and I believe there is a resurgence of hitmakers about to come out of The Lou. It’s so much talent here from rap to pop to rock to jazz to gospel. It's a melting pot of talent. 

VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts and website?

RYAN BOWSER:  You can reach me on Instagram: @ryandimitrienterprises or email: Musicproducerryanbowser@gmail.com. You got the big bag, I got the big hits!