Reed Shannon About 'Arcane,' 'The Wilds' and his music

(Photo credit to Zenzelé Pictures)

Reed LoRenzo Shannon is a young actor, comedian, and musician. We know him from the voice of Ekko by the series “Arcane“, as an actor in the movie “Canal Street,” and in season 2 of the Amazon series “The Wilds” where he will portray Scotty Simms. In 2019 he brings out his R&B/Soul Album “Soul Play” and since 2020 several singles like “Seconds“, “Close to the end” and “Heart Patch“.

In this interview, Shannon tells us a little bit about “Arcane,” “The Wilds,” and his love for music, which he found at a young age. Artists like Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, and Luther Vandross inspired him. At just 13 he got the chance to go on tour with Motown: The Musical for their first national tour. Read the interview to find out more.

Jacqueline Beckmann: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. You synchronize Ekko from the series Arcane. The series and your character are both very popular on Netflix. My first question is, what were your first impressions of the series, and did you know League of Legends before?

Reed Shannon: My first impression of the series was probably the same as most people who watched, it seems. Complete and utter shock. My mind was blown at how amazing the art style and the performances in the series were! I honestly couldn’t accept that I was even a part of it at first.

When I was younger, I tried to play League on the computer at home but I was never good enough so I gave up quickly, but I did my adequate research on a lot of the different characters in the game and got really into their stories and the overall vibe of the universe that is League of Legends. I also gave it another shot online but I spent most of my time trying to find out how to play as Ekko. Super fail.

JB: Ekko has no easy past and it doesn’t get any easier for him. What are your thoughts about him, his story, and his relationship to Jinx, Vi, and the others?

RS: For me, Ekko represents unwavering optimism. The fact that Ekko was around to witness the death of his only father figure, watch Vi disappear, and watch Powder slowly but surely turn into Jinx shows that even the worst of circumstances can happen, but you always have the ability to choose good. I really believe there is so much power in choosing good, especially when you’re given the opportunity to make that choice. Ekko is the perfect character to display that, even when he gets older, and starts making more decisions for his community. All he wants to do is help people that come from where he comes from. That’s admirable no matter what.

JB: For this series, you work together with Riot Games. A big company that has published games and now its first series. How was it to work with them?

RS: Working with Riot Games was such a great experience. I’m in a lucky position because when we started recording and working on the show, I was still in the middle of high school so I really feel like I’ve not only grown up with Ekko but also the team at Riot.

I had no idea the show would end up being everything that Arcane is, and is becoming, but the way they explained it to me was more than enough to keep me excited and ready to work every time they called me in. I couldn’t have asked for a better, more encouraging, and welcoming team to join up and make some dope art with.

JB: On your Instagram, we can see that you work as an actor in the Amazon series “The Wilds” in season 2. Can you tell us a little bit about this season?

RS: Yes!! “The Wilds” Season 2 is going to be explosive, and dark, and beautiful all at the same time. In my opinion, Amazon has pulled some of the greatest actors of this generation together to make something that honestly feels life-changing. I’m probably biased, but I would suggest anybody that hasn’t seen the phenomenal first season to watch it and catch up because Season 2 is coming, and it’s a game changer.

JB: You’re a talented actor, voice actor, and musician. Which of them do you enjoy the most?

RS: Out of acting on and off camera, creating music, doing stand-up comedy, I would have to say that making music is my favorite. I find pure joy in the art of putting sounds together to create a beautiful and lasting body of work that people can listen to and feel in their own way. I also have found a love for packaging and marketing the music while being an independent artist. This musical journey that I’m on has taught me so much about myself and the world of entertainment.

JB: Regarding your music, what inspired you the most and how did you get started with it?

RS: My earliest memories are filled with the music of Motown. Legends like Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, Luther Vandross, and artists alike. When I was 13 I got the chance to go on tour with Motown: The Musical for their first national tour, and I learned how the music industry was pushed forward by Berry Gordy and it completely inspired me to continue that legacy and get into my own music creation. Hopefully one day I can make Mr. Gordy proud by starting and running my own successful record label with all the same classic ways of developing great artists for the world to adore.

JB: Let’s chat a little bit about your work. What are some of your future projects? What can you tell us?

RS: On December 18th I will be dropping my new single “Bad Girl” on all streaming platforms with a music video coming not long after that. Stay tuned into my pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to know about the various stand-up comedy shows and music shows I perform around Los Angeles. Make sure to check out The Wilds Season 2 in the spring! Follow me @reed.shannon on Instagram and @ReedShannon everywhere else!

@reed.shannon on Instagram

@ReedShannon on Twitter

@ReedShannon on Facebook

@thereedlorenzoshow on TikTok

Reed Shannon on Spotify

Written by Jacqueline Beckmann