When it comes to music that hits both the heart and the heavens, few artists do it quite like Ryan Ellis. The California-based singer, songwriter, and worship leader has been steadily carving his own lane in the Christian music scene with a sound that’s soulful, genre-blending, and deeply honest. In this exclusive interview with NewReleaseToday, Ellis sits down with Bradden Ford to talk about the stories behind his latest album Real Love, the surprise success of his viral hit "Better Days," and why collaborating with other artists matters more than ever.

From writing sessions full of raw emotion to unexpected viral moments recorded in his garage, Ellis doesn’t hold back. His heart for the unseen and often outcast shines through every lyric, and his desire to bring the real Jesus to real people is unmistakable. This conversation is more than an album promo—it’s a deep dive into faith, grace, and music's powerful role in healing and hope.

Watch the full video interview below, and get ready to be inspired by Ryan’s unfiltered passion for worship, truth, and transformation.

Ryan, thank you so much for joining us. How are you doing today?

I’m doing good, bro. Just got the kids off to school, cleaned the house—it’s nice and quiet right now. We’re chilling!

That’s perfect. Let’s jump right in. You recently released your album Real Love, and it’s such an incredible, heartfelt project. What’s the story behind it?

Man, Real Love came out of a season where I was writing with new producers and songwriters, just really connecting with their stories. The title track was inspired by one of those writers. He’s a believer, but the way he lives makes him feel like an outsider in the Church. We were literally crying before the session started. That kind of honesty—it hit me.

There are so many people who feel ostracized by the Church, and I started asking myself, “Are we loving people right?” This guy is writing for artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna—he’s got this massive platform. And when people in those circles ask, “Why are you the way you are?” he’s telling them, “It’s Jesus.” That’s what inspired Real Love. It’s about meeting real people where they are so they can meet a real Jesus.

That’s powerful. You can really feel that in the music—it’s not just surface-level. What was your approach like in writing these songs?

We were grinding, man. I came in with ideas and we just went deep. Not just writing what’ll work for radio or church, but writing from real life. I wanted to be raw and vulnerable—thinking outside the box. Hearing testimonies from songs like “Heart of the Father” and “Gonna Be Alright” is amazing, but it’s also been so cool to see people resonate with this new sound.

Out of all the tracks on Real Love, which one is your favorite and why?

Man, it’s always the last song I wrote! [laughs] But for Real Love, I’d say “Better Days.” It really marked a shift for me. It wasn’t even the song the label picked—just one my wife and I loved. I filmed a video in my garage, singing into my phone, and that thing went crazy. Over 40 million reach. It reminded me that you don’t know how it will all work out. You just have to trust God.

You also dropped a remix of “Better Days” with Aniké. How did that come about?

I first saw Aniké perform at the Dove Awards and was blown away. My team reached out, and she was totally down. She sent back her part super fast—and it was fire! We ended up linking up in Atlanta and even recorded a little podcast about it, which is on my YouTube. I just love collaborating with people I believe in.

Thank you, bro. Appreciate everything you guys are doing.

This interview was transcribed and edited with the help of ChatGPT, OpenAI, May 22, 2025.