Earlier on this year, we introduced a young singer-songwriter named Ryan Hylton. He’d just released a live and unplugged version of ‘Shelter’ off his EP and featuring rapper Lewis AV. We’re now pleased to announce that Ryan’s new album “Legacy” will be out officially on the 1st of December. Below he shares the inspiration and inside story behind the album.

In 2016 I was working for the airline company Ryanair. During my time as an employee, I watched thousands of people running around the airport racing to catch their flights. For a moment I pictured all these people running around in life not knowing Jesus and where they would spend eternity. I wanted to reach people and wanted to reach them through music. I create music not just for entertainment sake but rather it will reflect the Glory of Christ and just how much he loves them.

I remember purchasing a Mac computer and borrowing my friend Michael’s Logic Pro software. This was humble beginnings. My dad gave me a microphone which he was given by some friends who lived in South Africa at the time. Every one of those people I am grateful for as this was the birth of my journey in music.

In May this year, I released an EP entitled “Journey”. I was amazed by the reception it received and the numerous people it reached and touched. I had not known what to expect as this was my first time putting content out. Over the years my prayers have been ”God I want my gifts to be used to glorify you and nothing else. Direct my footsteps, teach me to be obedient and give me direction”.

I started to write ”Legacy” late September 2020. On the 21st of that same month, someone very important and instrumental to my life, family and many others in my church passed away – Pastor Wayman Mitchell the founder of our church. I owe a great debt to him because if it was not for his obedience and listening to God’s calling, I simply would not be here and my parents would not have heard the Gospel. He left a tremendous legacy behind. Immediately I thought, what legacy do I have to leave behind? How many people have I reached? How many lives have I impacted? Through that, I felt inspired to write. I wrote all my songs on the album and some songs almost felt like I was having a conversation with Jesus but through music.

I would say the tracks that stand out to me most would be ‘Stumble’ & ‘C.I. M.S’. ‘Stumble’ was my life, in summary. I have stumbled so many times in my walk with Christ however he continuously pours out his grace. I also thought about some church kids and Christians who have been out of church over the years and how would they feel? ”How can I make the same mistake? Habits are out of control if you can take my heart, shine through my darkest parts”. I wrote that song one night and immediately sent it to Bailey Stowers as I could hear her voice all over it.

‘C.I.M.S’ I pre-wrote in 2016 as I got caught up in sin and I was too comfortable living in it. After I had repented, I said God I don’t want to be comfortable in my sin. I have had enough!

I hope that anyone who listens to this “Legacy” album and may think that their life is insignificant will find hope, just like Pastor Mitchell taught us, it is not about who you are now, but who you can become. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Your journey is not over until you breathe your final breath.

Connect with Ryan on Twitter | Instagram || Download/Stream first album single ‘Adonai‘