Eric July

{{short description|American musician, YouTuber, comic book writer and libertarian political commentator}}

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{{Infobox person

| name = Eric July

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Eric Dewayne July

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|4|17}}

| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality =

| other_names = Young Rippa

| education = {{plainlist|

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Musician
writer
YouTube personality

}}

| notable_works = Isom

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| background = solo_singer

| years_active =

| current_member_of = BackWordz

| past_member_of = Fire from the Gods

}}

Eric Dewayne July (born April 17, 1990) is an American musician, YouTuber, comic book writer, and libertarian political commentator. He is the founder, chief executive officer, and lead writer of Rippaverse Comics, an independent comic book publishing company established in 2022. The company was launched with the objective of promoting creative independence and decentralization within the entertainment industry. July has advocated for Rippaverse as an alternative to mainstream publishers, emphasizing creator ownership and consumer-driven storytelling.

In addition to his work in publishing, July is the lead vocalist for the rap metal band BackWordz, whose music is characterized by heavy instrumentals and lyrics that reflect libertarian themes, including individual freedom and limited government.{{Cite web |last=AltPress |title=BackWordz take on political system with new track "Self Ownership" featuring Attila's Fronz |url=https://www.altpress.com/backwordz_take_on_political_system_with_new_track_self_ownership/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gage |first=Jeff |title=Libertarian Rapper and Metal Singer Eric July Has the Attention of Fox News |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/libertarian-rapper-and-metal-singer-eric-july-has-the-attention-of-fox-news-7588399 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Dallas Observer |language=en}} He is also a contributor to Blaze Media and a YouTube commentator, where he discusses topics such as cultural trends, economic issues, and media criticism, often from a libertarian perspective.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=2024-02-29 |title=Eric July Launches His Rippasend Comic Fulfilment Service |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/eric-july-launches-his-rippasend-comic-fulfilment-service/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}} Earlier in his career, July was the frontman for the band Fire from the Gods before transitioning to his current pursuits in entrepreneurship, music, and media.

Early life

Eric July was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Oak Cliff. His parents separated when he was a young child, and he lost contact with his father. After getting involved in gang activity as a teen, he was sent to Arkansas to live with his grandmother. Later he moved back to Dallas, where he was shot in the knee at one point and kicked out of multiple high schools despite being a talented track athlete. A narrow escape from a drive-by shooting and the death of a close friend caused July to reconsider his lifestyle.{{cite news | url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/libertarian-rapper-and-metal-singer-eric-july-has-the-attention-of-fox-news-7588399 | first=Jeff | last=Gage | title=Libertarian Rapper and Metal Singer Eric July Has the Attention of Fox News | work=Dallas Observer | date=September 15, 2015 | access-date=July 25, 2022}} He attended the University of Memphis on a track and field scholarship.{{cite news | url=https://reason.com/2017/04/20/meet-eric-july-2/ | first=Stephen | last=Humphries | title=Meet Eric July | work=Reason | date=April 20, 2017 | access-date=July 25, 2022}} Later, he went to Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he majored in communications. July says he changed his political views from far left to libertarian at this time when reading black economists such as Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams. He moved back to Dallas in March 2015.

Music career

July first performed under the name YG Ripple in Corpus Christi, and became involved in the hardcore metal scene there and in San Antonio. He played keyboards early on, then switched to vocals in the band Fire from the Gods. He formed the band BackWordz, in which he also performs vocals, in late 2014. In 2016, the band signed to the record label Stay Sick Recordings, run by Chris Fronzak, vocalist for the metalcore band Attila. BackWordz billed themselves as the libertarian Rage Against the Machine.

Comic book career

In July 2022, Eric July debuted his new publishing company, Rippaverse Comics, with an online marketing campaign selling comic books and merchandise for the company's first project, Isom.{{cite web | url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/eric-d-july-gets-30000-orders-worth-2-5-million-for-non-woke-comic/ | first=Rich | last=Johnston | title=Eric D July Gets 30,000 Orders Worth $2.5 Million For 'Non-Woke' Comic | work=Bleeding Cool | date=July 18, 2022 | access-date=July 25, 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://rippaverse.com/trailer | title=Welcome to the Rippaverse | date=3 March 2022 | publisher=Rippaverse Comics}} The campaign exceeded its original $100,000 goal, raising $1.7 million by July 15, $2.5 million by July 18, and $3 million by July 22.{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/newly-launched-non-woke-comic-book-defies-cancel-culture-brings-first-four-days | first=Lorraine | last=Taylor | title=Newly launched non-woke comic book defies cancel culture, brings in over $1.7M in first four days | work=Fox News | date=July 15, 2022 | access-date=February 27, 2023}}{{cite web | url=https://radio.foxnews.com/2022/07/22/eric-july-on-pushing-back-against-the-woke-comic-book-industry-creating-rippaverse-comics/ | title=Eric July On Pushing Back Against The Woke Comic Book Industry & Creating Rippaverse Comics | work=Brian Kilmeade Show | publisher=Fox News Radio | date=July 22, 2022 | access-date=July 25, 2022}} In May 2023, Rippaverse Comics announced upcoming installments to the universe, including Isom #2,{{cite web | url=https://rippaverse.com/2023-release-schedule/ | first=Andrew | last=Rodriguez | title=2023 Release Schedule | publisher=Rippaverse Comics | date=May 3, 2023 | access-date=February 14, 2024}} Alphacore by Chuck Dixon,{{cite web | url=https://rippaverse.com/chuck-dixon-joins-the-rippaverse/ | first=Andrew | last=Rodriguez | title=Chuck Dixon Joins the Rippaverse® with Alphacore #1 | publisher=Rippaverse Comics | date=May 22, 2023 | access-date=February 14, 2024}} and Yaira by Jen and Sylvia Soska.{{cite web | url=https://rippaverse.com/2023-release-schedule/ | first=Andrew | last=Rodriguez | title=The Soska Sisters Join the Rippaverse® with Yaira #1 | publisher=Rippaverse Comics | date=May 30, 2023 | access-date=February 14, 2024}} The third comic book campaign of the Rippaverse is of Goodyng written by Mike Baron, making around $291,000.

Political activities

July campaigned for Barack Obama in 2008, but now describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist who tries "to get people thinking more critically about things." He helped found a group called Minorities Seeking Solutions, which he says aims to connect with young black males in particular and help empower them. He is a contributor for the Blaze TV network.