Today we’d like to introduce you to Ezra Williams.
Hi Ezra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Okay! Let’s start in a small town called Pinson; about 11 miles north of Birmingham Alabama. That is where most of my life took place. I started playing drums involuntarily around the age of 10… I say involuntarily because at my family church; my aunt was the original drummer for our family’s gospel quartet group “The Praise Worshipers” and when she went off to the police academy; I was basically thrown into the hot seat to take her place. Really big shoes to fill. Moving forward about 7 years; I was never really into drums, I was heavily into Basketball until that dream was unfortunately swept away, so I focused on my singing career in Neo Soul/R&B under the name “Roszunn.” In 2009 I moved to Maitland, FL and worked an 9-5 until I was signed to ECJ Entertainment out of South Beach Miami. November 2010 my son Isaac was born and completely changed the way I pursued my career; motivating me to take leaps that I wouldn’t have taken before. In 2011 I moved to South Beach with ECJ Entertainment and released my first independent album “I am Rhythm and Blues” under the label and I must say, it did make quite the impression with the United Kingdom audience. In 2013 I released my biggest impact album “S.O.U.L. Signs of Unconditional Love” connecting me to new audiences from the USA all the way to Japan. Late 2013 the label disbanded and I was forced to make the move back to Pinson, Alabama. I fell into a horrible depression…. My uncle Keithen Ruff (Blues Hall of Fame Inductee) and his wife Diedra The Alabama Blues Queen were starting their Blues tour after Diedra’s award winning album… their drummer couldn’t make a gig so my uncle called me and asked if I’d play the gig.. he says “hey phat, it will be a simple gig.” Btw, Phat (Fat) is my childhood nickname given to me by my uncle. Well, the show was a total success and that’s when my world was engulfed in Blues. We traveled, toured and made waves all around the USA and in 2015 I released my 3rd album “Starlight” under my own label “Nnuzsor Enterprise.” I continued to tour with the band and at the same time, touring as Roszunn. In 2017 I released my award winning album “Urban” that eventually landed me in Toronto and a small tour in London, UK in 2018. Between that time I toured with the Blues band and fill-in gigs with acts such as Carson White, Terry Adams, Trey Lewis, Raquel Lily, Michael BB Cannon and Jessica Meuse. I never knew or thought that playing drums would be my career path; if I had known then what I know now… I would have put way more time and effort into this craft. During the Covid pandemic, we lost my grandmother; the glue that truly held everything together… personally that loss resulted in my exit from my singing career. In 2023 I moved back to Florida. As soon as we got settled I immediately got on Facebook and searched every page that had anything and everything to do with central Florida bands and musicians looking for drummers. I landed my first show with a super talented country artist named Jay Valor… from there; I landed shows with Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, The Lost Tropics, Tim Hacksaw Hamlin, Street 66, JW Gilmore, Speed Limit 70 and ChanceBTW Band. I am a full time musician and I currently perform most of my shows with Speed Limit 70 and Jay Valor. I am being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on April 13th 2025! This is my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not a smooth road at all. I suffered with and still battle depression. Relationships and friendships diminished because of jealousy and/or career moves. Family deaths that just destroyed my drive and willingness to move forward.
Racial tension was always an issue living in Alabama. There were times that I faced racism head on. I was fired from a band because the regulars at a particular venue “didn’t want to see that ‘coon’ on the drums again or there would be trouble.”
As a musician we deal with the struggles of not working because of favoritism and lack of respect.
It’s hard out here.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was an international recording artist by the name of Roszunn; I produced, engineered, mixed and mastered the following:
2011: I am Rhythm and Blues
2013: S.O.U.L. Signs of Unconditional Love
2015: Starlight
2017: Urban (Award Winning)
2018: Urban- Love Letters
2019: Just Call Me Phat
As a Drummer (phat) I play:
Blues
Pop
R&B
Neo Soul
Rock
Country
Jazz
Gospel
2023: Endorsement deal with SoulTone Cymbals
2025: Blues Hall of Fame
I am most proud of the fact that I am still going. As an artist and a drummer, the world has thrown a lot of obstacles my way… and with God’s grace, I’ve managed to keep moving forward.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Mentors:
Mom: Pamela Ruff…. She’s the reason I am who I am. My musical mind was passed to me through her and she will always inspire me to keep moving forward. She also has me a tad spoiled… Haha
My dad: Albert Williams… He gave me knowledge in the labor market.. as a mechanic, he taught me and my brothers how to make do with what we have and don’t let anyone tell us that “it won’t work.” We can make anything work.
Aunt Tina Ruff… watching her play drums inspired me to take things to another level.
Uncle Keithen Ruff… he gave me a chance to express myself musically and guided me to hear things that I couldn’t hear on my own.
My grandmother: Pastor Ann Ruff.. my biggest cheerleader… she thought I was a genius; haha… bless her heart, she was the reason I wanted to “make it big” as a singer… making her proud was on the top of my list of life priorities…. When she passed, that dream went with her.
My grandfather : Blonnie Ruff… He was a man’s man…. Stern, tall, handsome and wise. Worked for everything he had and when I’m looking down the wrong end of hard times I just think of what he would do.
My siblings: Bryan Williams, Randee Williams and Bree Ruff…. They did it right… military/College.. good careers. Big houses and beautiful families. Even though I took the hardest route to true success….. we all have our success stories!
Wife: Brittnie Williams…. Well, she definitely became my new biggest cheerleader. Through thick and thin; that woman supports me 100%… and if I start trying to slip into a depression; she quickly shows me all that I have to fight for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phattheartist?igsh=c3BlMDhneWh5enlj&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/artistphat?s=21&t=Vcu3RWxDNjpe7y6UQ1wmrg
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@soundsophat?si=sLfMFuiq9aFR2Wir
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/vLFm8eKcBxkFBuuh7
Image Credits
Algertha Taylor
Brittnie Williams
Lord David Nelson
