Ruby Recordings has quietly grown into one of the most consistent independent imprints in recent years, and at the center of it all is CEO and founder Travon “Trizzy” Howard. Since launching the label in 2015, Howard has built a roster that blends artistic freedom with strategic development, guiding the careers of artists and creatives like Lifeof9000, Haitian Fresh, Michael Wavves, JT5K, and more.
Music, according to Howard, was never a phase—it was instinctual. “I wrote my first song when I was five,” he says matter-of-factly. “By the time I was around twelve, I was locked in my room teaching myself how to make beats, just clicking around and figuring it out.” Creation came long before performance. He admits he had stage fright early on, but that never stopped him from building worlds through sound. “Music became my safe space. I wasn’t worried about who was listening—I just needed to create.”
That mindset laid the foundation for Ruby Recordings. Howard brought Haitian Fresh on as the label’s first artist in 2016, later watching him evolve into a breakout act with the release of Zoe Motivation 101. In 2017, Lifeof9000 signed to Ruby and officially stepped into his solo career with Touch My Soul, a project that marked his arrival as an artist while reinforcing his already elite reputation behind the scenes. Lifeof9000’s résumé spans engineering and co-writing credits recognized by the Recording Academy, including work on Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Jay-Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail, and Ariana Grande’s Sweetener, alongside collaborations with Cardi B, Nas, Kanye West, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar.
As Ruby expanded, Howard added artists like Michael Wavves, Steevy Franch, AB Tazz, Bigga$tate, Chris Knite, Terry Lane, and JT5K. Michael Wavves’ momentum reached a new level when his debut EP Purple Heart charted at No. 12 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart. JT5K’s rise has been equally telling—his genre-bending approach and consistency have made him a go-to collaborator for artists like Vory, Killbunk, 11:11, Mark Battles, Nessly, and more.
Howard credits much of that success to alignment. “An artist or producer has to bring the same intensity as the label,” he explains. “9000 lives in that mindset—always creating, always thinking strategically. JT5K showed up relentlessly. Preparation became daily, consistency replaced comfort, and discipline replaced excuses.” He sees momentum as something that has to be earned and protected. “When talent meets pressure, accountability, and opportunity, that’s when things really move.”
That philosophy carries over into what Ruby Recordings offers its artists. “This is a home where you’re free to be yourself,” Howard says. “We don’t dictate sound or direction. Our job is to elevate your vision and give you the resources to execute it at the highest level.” For him, hunger is non-negotiable. “This industry is uncomfortable and competitive. If you don’t have the drive to win and keep winning, it won’t last.” With producers, he looks for evolution—an ability to anticipate where sound is headed, not just where it’s been.
Asked what people should take away from Ruby Recordings this year, Howard is clear: presence and progress. “We’re here, and we’re growing in every direction. Michael Wavves’ debut made real noise. JT5K continues to build a devoted fanbase and attract major-label attention by sharpening his sound and showing up every time.” The goal, he says, is momentum without compromise. “We’re moving full throttle toward becoming a powerful indie force.”
Looking ahead, Howard envisions expansion rooted in people. “I see us consistently developing and launching new stars—artists and producers alike,” he says. “But just as important is our internal growth. We invest in our team, give them real responsibility, and trust them to help steer the company. We’re people-centered, and that matters.”
For artists entering the Ruby ecosystem, Howard emphasizes transparency. “This is a real partnership,” he says. “I don’t believe in secrets. If you want to learn the business, I’ll teach you. If I don’t have the answer, we’ll find it together.” He gestures to the Ruby logo on his sweater. “We’re going to work hard for you—exhaust every resource to help you win. Business should be clear, fair, and solid.”
And while he’s known primarily as an executive, Howard hasn’t stepped away from music himself. “I’ve been locked in creatively,” he admits with a smirk. “I’m working on a few singles right now—maybe even shaping it into an EP.” He’s also been recording heavily with AB Tazz, traveling across New York, Virginia, Nevada, and New Jersey to capture different energy. “Each city pushed the music forward.”
There’s more on the horizon, too. Howard hints at upcoming work with longtime collaborator Tonee Marino and experimenting with Armenian sounds blended into hip-hop. “He’s been putting me on to a whole new wave—sounds, culture, everything,” Howard says. “I really think I can fuse it into something unique. Right now it’s all about timing and execution, but new music is definitely coming.”
For Travon “Trizzy” Howard, Ruby Recordings isn’t just a label—it’s a long game built on creativity, discipline, and belief in the people behind the music.