Today we’d like to introduce you to Shyrone Cyph360 Smith.
Hi Shyrone Cyph360, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, and from early on I was drawn to storytelling in any form I could find. I started writing rhymes in 1994, not thinking of it as a career at the time, but as a way to make sense of what I was seeing and feeling around me. By 1999, I recorded my first song, and that experience changed everything. Hearing my words come back through speakers made me realize that creating wasn’t just a hobby—it was how I processed life.
For years, music was my main outlet. I kept writing, recording, and sharpening my voice while navigating real life, responsibilities, and setbacks. But around 2007, something shifted. I rediscovered my love for reading and realized I wanted more space to explore character, psychology, and long-form storytelling. I began working on my first novel, Gotta Get Out, and when it was published in 2008, it opened a new door for me. It showed me that I could tell deeper stories without limits—stories rooted in reality, emotion, and lived experience.
From there, my work expanded naturally. I went on to write and publish multiple books across genres, often focusing on urban life, inner conflict, ambition, love, and survival. I eventually founded Wildaness Publishing to maintain creative control and ensure my stories stayed honest and uncompromised. Writing novels taught me discipline, patience, and the importance of letting characters breathe instead of forcing conclusions.
At the same time, I stepped into journalism, contributing to outlets like Sway’s Universe and The Jasmine Brand. That experience sharpened my ability to observe, ask questions, and report truth without losing empathy. Journalism grounded me—it forced clarity and accountability—while my creative work allowed me to explore emotional truth beyond the facts.
Over the years, I’ve also worked in film and screenwriting, acting and contributing behind the scenes in visual storytelling. To me, none of these paths are separate. Music taught me rhythm and emotion. Writing taught me structure and depth. Journalism taught me precision. Film taught me restraint and visual storytelling. Each discipline strengthened the others.
Today, I see my journey as one continuous line rather than a series of pivots. I’m still driven by the same thing that pushed me to write my first rhyme—an urge to tell stories that feel real, that reflect the complexity of people’s inner lives, and that give voice to moments often overlooked. I don’t chase trends or spectacle. I focus on honesty, tension, and meaning. I’m still building, still learning, and still committed to telling stories that resonate long after the last word is read or heard.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest obstacles has been consistency in the face of real life—balancing creativity with survival, responsibilities, and limited resources. I didn’t come up with a safety net or industry access, so everything was self-taught and self-funded. There were long stretches of working without recognition, learning through mistakes, and having to pivot across mediums while still being taken seriously in each one. Another challenge was resisting the pressure to compromise my voice for trends or quick wins. Staying authentic while evolving—and trusting the long game—has probably been the hardest part.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary creative an artist, author, screenwriter, and journalist who tells stories across music, literature, film, and media. I specialize in authentic storytelling whether that’s through novels grounded in real emotions and street truths, articles covering culture and music, or scripts that explore psychological depth and character nuance. People know me for blending grit with heart, and for creating work that doesn’t shy away from complexity or realism. What sets me apart is my versatility and self-direction. I don’t just write in one lane I create the art, produce the projects, and often design the visual and musical elements myself. I’ve worn nearly every creative hat — from cover art and production to writing and editing and I thrive in that creative intersection where mediums feed each other.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory would be just living in the house with my mother and grandparents because they showed me how a family is supposed to support one another. It wasn’t perfect but being a kid you would never know.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cyph360
- Facebook: Shyrone Cyph Smith
- Twitter: @cyph360
