Austin Wyatt

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery // none but ourselves can free our minds." --  Bob Marley 

The opening  line to Redemption Song may best summarize the anthem of international flavored, hip-hop artist, Austin Wyatt. The #boywithebrokenhalo's transition from youthful suicidal nightmare to a dedicated father, husband,and student plays out in his music as album by album he crafts his own redemption songs. Parts raw energy and effortless delivery, poetry and blues, rough-hewn narrative and savvy world-influenced musicality, his stories define reclamation and liberation.

Growing up in the small rural town of Macon, Mississippi, Austin Wyatt witnessed the type of abject poverty and experienced the types of hardship and loss that Bluesmen are made of. A fatherless child in his formative years, the unfortunate loss of his first child, a girl, and the loss of his baseball scholarship during his adolescence left him with little to hold on to and nothing to lose. He grew familiar with heartache and tragedy, latching on to the guttural cries of Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf, who earnestly bemoaned the troubles to which he related.

Lacking constructive outlets and overflowing with rage from a life wrought with tragedy, Wyatt engaged in nefarious activities. "I was able to avoid lengthy incarceration and a felony rap sheet. A bitter-sweet victory, he says reflectively, maybe because a majority of my friends can't say the same thing. During this lurid period, Wyatt began developing a hardcore spit-fire rap style. 

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then the road to redemption must be paved with self realization; as with each project Austin Wyatt has solidified himself evermore as a story teller, even telling the difficult truths that one discovers in reconciling their past with their future. He credits the birth of his son as a major factor in helping him finally "mellow out a little bit", he says, laughing.

Emerging hip-hop artist, Wyatt is now focused on tipping the balance towards a determined proclamation. On his self-released debut, Modest Vanity (2010), Wyatt took on his own past, determined to rise above the poverty and pain that marred his childhood. "I'm trying to get 'em out, voices in my head//I swear they're screaming out, from beyond the dead", he solemnly confesses as he does mental gymnastics on Angels and Demons (Modest Vanity)

Wyatt's artistic maturation became even more evident, his music and lyrics more nuanced on Mississippi Mouthpiece heralding the arrival of a legitimate rap force from a state that has been renowned and critically regarded for the Blues. Set to a propulsive beat and anchored by an infectious reggae sample from Chase the Devil" by Max Romeo, (Produced by Kanye West for Jay-Z), Wyatt churns out a flow that will turn heads.(Austin released a mix-tape with this same title in 2012)

Defying definition he once again shifted gears the follow up single, Rebel Musik (also the inspiration for his logo/brand) which lashes out at a socioeconomic system that perpetuates the lack of options for young black men forced to join the military establishment, only to be anonymously gunned down in a foreign land.

In 2012 Wyatt also collaborated with Memphis underground Emcee Mindspin and released the Audio Adrenaline LP. Well known for their dynamic and powerful live performances, they channeled that energy into an album with that very same spark. Each brought there different backgrounds to the non-stop 10 song sonic journey through rhyme. The LP is a testament to the passion each of these men have for their craft.

In 2013 Wyatt produced what may be his most personal project to date, Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason: 13 days of Inspiration. The project mused by the impending birth of his son, AJ (featured on the cover art) was completed in 13 days and spared nothing in the introspection, grittiness, and the production quality that has come to be the standard of Austin Wyatt.

"I realize the I was caught up in a rush of inspiration. The universe understood my dilemma, saw and respected my decision and in return, sent a musical wind through my mind and body. More importantly, I understood that my unborn child was the sole reason behind this, it was crystal clear to me, he was my muse."-- Austin Wyatt

Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason (The Triple R album is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, amazon, Spotify, Rhapsody, bandcamp)