"Performers with autism are booked every year, and this time around the bill included, opera singer Amanda Anderson, rapper Rio "Soulshocka" Wyles, and former voice contestant Wll Brennan. All three played impressive mini-sets that proved that autism is no barrier to artistic greatness".

"Rio says when he visited Tower Records, he was inspired by artists like Eminem, Biggie, and Tupac. He says after he discovered his ability to rap, people were shocked. Smiling, he remembered how his classmates at school began looking at him differently. "No one could imagine that someone like me, who couldn't really talk, had so much soul," said Rio. That experience inspired his stage name, Soulshocka, as he explains in his song, "Soulshocka is Born.""

"There are a plethora of stars involved but it’s one so far unknown talent that really steals the show—Rio Wyles, AKA SoulShocka—and Popdust has an exclusive interview with the 21-year-old up and coming rapper."

"Case in point—the new amazing “Rio-mix” of Swoon, to which he added his own unique rap over the awesome Timeflies track, along with some stellar vocals by the indomitable Adrienne Bailon.

"Rio “Soulshocka” Wyles is a 21-year-old rapper from California who happens to have autism, but if you think he’s letting that get in the way of creating some sick beats, think again."

"All the docs said I couldn't do it, but now they have to face the music, screw it" Wyles rapped in his black T-shirt and sunglasses at the Converse Rubber Tracks studio."

"l leave you with the chorus from “We Will Prevail.” Walkin’ in a straight line and never look back. Never surrender when you’re under attack. Won’t be easy but you gotta stay strong. Never give up cause the road is long. … Somehow I know we will prevail. We will not fail. We will prevail. Somehow I know we will prevail. We will not fail. We will prevail. Somehow I know we will prevail. Yeah. Dream big, y’all. Soulshocka. I’m out.

“It’s a heartwarming and inspiring story of a young man overcoming adversity and hardship. Rio Wyles is fast becoming the next big thing in rap, and like many he’s had to put in hard work and plenty of sweat to break through in the highly competitive music world.But what makes Rio’s story so inspiring is that he was diagnosed with autism as a young child and suffered a profound loss of language at age three 1/2. Language slowly came back, but in an odd ritualistic, nonsensical way, causing children to shun him throughout his childhood and those close to him to worry that he would never be able to fully live an independent life. Then, the beginning of a career as a performer and by eleven as a composer, with lyrics that quickly went beyond the personal to something greater: "You know in life things happen doesn't seem what it seems. Even in dreams obstacles may appear.One day you figure it out what your life was all about." Early on Rio announced his intention to work in the music”