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Meet Ryan “Ricky D” Dedmon of Never Neglect in North Dallas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan “Ricky D” Dedmon.

Ryan “Ricky D”, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started making music a little over ten years ago. I was always a good writer in school and talented artist. I also loved riding in the car remixing songs from the radio and making them my own. Still, it wasn’t till 2009 I really began to dig into my creativity and see what was inside of me. I lost my job at the end of 2008 and started practicing with music software early 2009. I was staying with my two brothers at the time who had too lost their jobs. Roughing it in a one bedroom, in between temp jobs and job searches I was in and out of my closet booth all day. With a daughter who had just turned 1 I felt myself a little more determined than my brothers. I pushed myself to record about 3 to 5 songs a day. Freestyles, Covers, Original songs, you name it. I wasn’t bias either. I remixed Brittney Spears songs and all. I wanted to challenge myself to be the best and most versatile artist I could be. I went on for a few more years perfecting my craft and learning lessons about the music industry.

Around 2013 I took a huge three year pause. I got married, had another child on the way, and began a new job that could really open things up for me. Feeling blessed, I just really wanted to focus on being the best man I could be for my family. Around 2016 I had a studio session for fun with some guys from work. Instantly I remembered how much I enjoyed that. A rush came over me, the energy of being behind the mic, the joy of writing lyrics, the adrenaline pump of laying down a fresh verse, the bliss of hearing it all playback. I coasted for a while on those few subtle tracks. I think it was the feedback from them that really raised a brow for me. People I knew that didn’t know me as a rapper were impressed. I decided at the beginning of 2017 I would work on a mixtape and release it to my peers. I told myself as long as people keep an interest to my music and the responses continue to grow and the vibe is right I will continue to create.

Since then, I dropped “Game 7” in 2017. Joined with my brother Wrecks dropped “Free Agents” in 2018. Dropped “Dawn of a Dynasty” in 2019. To now currently working on my latest album “Rise of a Dynasty” for summer 2020. I can’t help but say I love this, I love song writing, I love creating, I love music. As long as God says the same I will pursue this passion and see where it takes me. I believe with God nothing is impossible. So I have to dream and believe without limits. Until he confirms it’s over Ricky D is on the move.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. I think first before anything and what a lot of people don’t see or may not know, lacking budget is crucial. You can have all the dope songs in the world. But in this digital society if you don’t have the funds or team to help market you and put you in front of fans and at the top of news feeds and timelines, it can be tough. That is very thing I have lacked over the years. Everything in this industry cost. From the beatmaker all the way up to the music video, features, production, song placement, dj love, etc. Being a hardworking family man, despite my passions they are always my number one passion. So building a family and building a career really makes you bite the bullet sometime. When the video cost 500 and the family road trip cost 500 and all you got is 700 lol you tend to find yourself making executive decisions over things like that. And I know for me I always told myself I was building them before I picked this music back up so I’ll always give to them first. Roadtrip it is! My kids wouldn’t begin to understand daddy doing a music video over driving to San Antonio and I wouldn’t begin to try to make them. So yeah for me that balance has definitely been my number struggle in all of this.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Never Neglect – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Honestly, I feel I’m one of the best songwriters in my area. I rap most of the time but my truest passion is in writing R&B along with Hip Hop. I’m willing and ready to write for anybody on any topic. I believe one of my strengths is being able to make any theme relate to a different subject matter. Like in my song “Ball Like Me” with tons of basketball references, it had nothing to do with basketball lol. Instead, everything to do with how I’m different from the next guy and no effort on his part could ever make us the same.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My biggest plan for the future is to overcome the obstacles I’ve faced so far and turn this passion into a full-time career. I think the ultimate goal for me would not be doing music on the side of work. But instead of waking up everyday to do music as my job. At this point, I’m so in love with it, not creating music would break my heart.

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Sponsor Shoutout:
Laine McCandless of DFW Kid’s Directory is hosting a Summer Camp & Activities Expo on February 22nd and 29th. There will be over 40 vendors at the event, parents can meet one on one and get information about so many amazing camps all in one spot. It’s an extraordinary event and one that makes us very proud of our city. Tickets are free. Info and RSVP here: Dallas & Frisco

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