Labels may set limits, but for Daniel Kyri, boundaries are made to be broken. A true son of the Windy City, Kyri wears many hats: actor, producer, musician, activist, and visionary—or, as we like to call it, artist.
Kyri is best known for lighting up television screens as Darren Ritter on NBC’s Chicago Fire, which returned this September for its 13th season.
Though acting is his craft, Kyri’s portrayal of Ritter feels almost autobiographical. Sharing more than just a proud Chicago heritage, both Kyri and his on-screen persona are openly gay men who embody authenticity and courage, making Ritter’s character not only relatable but deeply personal.
“I am a vessel, I am a channel, I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams,” Kyri shared with The Quintessential Gentleman in an interview.
In a cultural landscape where gay Black characters are often relegated to sidekick status, saddled with one-dimensional storylines, with this role, Kyri breaks the mold, bringing depth, authenticity, and as he puts it “Shine!” Creating a representation that feels real, letting his character shine in a way that hasn’t been done before.
This sincere portrayal has solidified Kyri as a fan favorite over his six seasons on Chicago Fire. Reflecting on the warm reception to his work, Kyri shared, “When your work is received in a positive way by anyone, that is usually a testament to the amount of time that you’ve spent honing your craft and your skills. So that, in itself, feels really validating.”
Having mastered the art of acting, Kyri is now stepping confidently into the world of music. Earlier this year, he made his debut with the single Dreamland Ave, a track that earned widespread praise for its evocative lyrics and soulful vibe. Building on this momentum, followed Maybe, a mixture of R&B, Pop, and Afrobeat to gear fans up for the release of a four-track EP in the first quarter of next year.
“I remember falling in love with Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder and… Motown,” Kyri said. Inspired by literature from legends like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, Kyri is motivated by their ability to tell powerful and resonant stories.
Using this template, Kyri was able to craft Dreamland Ave, reflecting on his experiences in Chicago’s summers. “The art, music, culture, it’s so full, and I wanted to capture some of that with Dreamland Avenue,” Kyri explained. “That Lake Shore Drive, late-night, 3 A.M. cruise with the windows down, blasting music, and looking over and seeing Navy Pier on the lake. That vibe of getting into shenanigans. I could be on my way to a hookup, or a party, or a smoke sesh, or a writing sesh or, just ..whatever.”
For Kyri, the most important part of crafting the song was the freedom it gave him to express himself authentically. “What I love about Dreamland is, as a queer Black man, being able to tell that story without any shame, I get to show how I’ve spent many summers in Chicago.”
The next chapter in Kyri’s musical journey unfolds with his follow-up single, Maybe. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, he shared, “I had just come out of a really toxic relationship. Maybe is about that in-between place, where you know it isn’t working, but something inside you keeps pushing forward, keeps fighting for it.”
At its core, the track is a raw, exploration of love, healing, and self-discovery. “It’s ultimately about two Black men trying to understand and learn how to love themselves and each other,” Kyri explained.
When discussing his upcoming EP, Kyri makes one thing clear: it will be unapologetically, authentically him. “I’m diving into topics about being queer and Black as hell,” he says, promising a project as bold and multifaceted as the artist himself.
The year ahead looks to be a transformative one for Daniel Kyri, and here at The Quintessential Gentleman, we can’t wait to see how his journey unfolds.
Check out the full interview.
For all the latest updates, follow him on social media and stream his music via the links.
Photo Credits
Photographer: Ashley Chappell
Stylist: Sal @salsogroovy
MUA: Sirena Crosby
Stylist Assistant: Caeli Harris
