Ryan Ellis

Ryan Ellis, a charismatic singer, songwriter, and worship leader, found mainstream favor in 2022 with the soulful, R&B-influenced single “Heart of the Father,” which appeared on his eponymous major-label debut album. He followed up on that success the following year with the EP Nite-N-Day.
Born and raised in San Diego, Ellis was reared in a musical household and spent his formative years singing and dancing. He was a founding member of the original Jabbawockeez hip-hop dance crew and is an armed forces veteran who spent five years in the Navy. He later became the Worship Pastor at Isla Vista Worship and began writing and recording songs. Before launching a solo career, Ellis penned songs for Matt Redman, Natalie Grant, Meredith Andrews, Steven Malcolm, and Housefires and co-wrote Chris Tomlin’s Dove Award-nominated hit “Resurrection Power.” He issued his debut full-length effort, Lyfe, in 2019, with a pair of EPs, Rysponse and Episode 1, appearing in 2019 and 2021, respectively. A deal with Sony CCM imprint Provident preceded the release of the single “Heart of the Father,” which garnered millions of streams. The song appeared on his 2022 major-label debut, Ryan Ellis, which also included the hits “Need” and “Gonna Be Alright.” The Nite-N-Day EP arrived the following year. ~ James Christopher Monger