Written by Lucas Gomez & Andrew Jacobs
MC’s and rappers aren’t typically coming out of Canada, and only the ones that are huge are rarely ever heard of in somewhere like Kansas. Drake, the Weekend, PARTYNEXTDOOR, all with millions of listeners monthly. So once in a while it’s nice to take that step back and expand your horizons. Lyricists and poets are hiding in plain sight, we just need to find them. Today we want to put the spotlight on Toronto-born MC, K-Riz.
K-Riz makes music for the typical contemporary rap listener, who appreciates artistry and lyricism. His music covers his own childhood, life-altering experiences, and his religious upbringing. All combining over well-produced beats, inspirations from gospel music, and the R&B that dominated the 90’s.
(Stage lights fade)
Us: “So first, what’s the story behind the name K-Riz?”
Riz; “I grew up with a bunch of cousins who also were rappers. So they named me Charisma. K-A-H-R-I-Z-Z-M-A. And then throughout high school, people were calling me Riz, and then eventually I just shortened it to K-Riz because it sounded better. I’m also a huge fan of Jay-Z.”
Us: And where are you from?
Riz: “I’m from Toronto originally. I live in Alberta, both Edmonton and Calgary.”
Us; And how long have you been making music?
Riz; “Oh man, I’ve been making music since I was a little kid, singing in church. My uncle was also a rapper, so I got to learn from him and imitated him since I was very young.”
Us: “So how would you describe yourself as a rapper?”
Riz; “ I would describe myself as versatile. I could rap on anything. I could also add melody or harmony to any type of style that I use, you know. So I would say diverse.”
Us: “Yeah, I noticed that on a lot of your music. Do you consider yourself a singer, a rapper, or in between?”
Riz: “I would say both. I wouldn’t say my singing is as far along as my MC’ing, but, definitely working every day to get there.”
Us: “Yeah for sure. And what genre would you describe your music as?”
Riz; “Man, I don’t really like to put myself in a box. <laugh>, I would say I’m rooted in hip hop. That’s where it all started for me. I just try to branch out from there.”
Us: “What would you say are influenced by the most? What kind of music?”
Riz: “Growing up in Toronto, we had lots of R&B radio stations, so I would play R&B and hip hop all day long. I would also say gospel music is a massive influence. And then moving to western Canada where things are I would say less urban, you get a lot more pop music stuff.”’
Us; “So now onto your new album. What is the sort of general vibe you aimed to capture with One Way Ticket?”
Riz; “I really wanted to just capture having fun. The joy in making music. I feel like my previous record was a little bit darker and had a point to prove, and one that wasn’t positive or joyful. There’s a lot of pain and sadness in that last record. So I just wanted to be happy, and enjoy the fact that I’m here creating, and doing what I love to do.”
Us: “Yeah, we could sense that sort of change in this album from the last. We were wondering if there were any specific events that inspired the album?”
Riz: “I got in a car accident in 2020 where I broke my back. My last album was actually done before that. So I never really got the chance to explore creatively on a bigger scale who I am. So I started appreciating life a little bit more. I recently moved from Edmonton to Calgary, so the experience of being around a different vibe and a different environment and just wanting to progress.”
Us: “For sure. We also noticed on all your albums, but specifically on One Way Ticket, a heavy collaborative presence. Does that sort of dynamic help with wanting to have more fun creatively?”
K-Riz: “Oh absolutely. It also helps to relinquish control a little too. Because I’m a control freak sometimes when it comes to music. I just wanted to give space and opportunity for people to hear new vocalists such as Zenin or to let Octavio dictate the direction of some of these songs. He played horns on some of the music, and Bubby Lewis played bass on some songs, and that really influenced the direction of the album.”
Us: Yeah I think it’s super cool that you put a bass player as a feature on the songs. That seems like something not many artists would do. What kind of personality do you think the collaborators brought to the album?
Riz: “Yeah, it reached everything in the album. Especially with the musicians. It gives the music a much less mechanical feel. It has that human element to it. Just like the records from the sixties and seventies. I love instrumental music, so it was an album that you could even just listen to the instrumental. And that’s what I wanted to do.”
Us: “Yeah, I noticed a ton of really smooth almost jazzy instrumentation that really emphasized the difference between your last couple projects. So I wanted to ask about your newest single “Something Different.” This song is definitely something different. Is this the sort of direction you want to bring your music?”
Riz: “I don’t know to be honest. That was a record that came as the album was done, and just exercising a pen on something different, no pun intended. Just experimenting and getting new sounds.”
Us; “So, what’s the future looking like for K Riz?”
Riz; “Hit the road. I’m working on the follow up album as we speak. It’s entitled Heaven. So, a One Way Ticket to Heaven. Heaven meaning freedom. Paradise. Doing what you want to do, and letting that music just come. We’re not gonna force it.”
Interviewing K-Riz was a great experience for Lucas and I, with this being our first interview ever. K-Riz was a great guest and helped provide a much deeper introspective into himself as well as the rap scene in Canada. K-Riz uses his platform to help other artists as well, with features being an important part of his work. Thank you for reading and big ups to K-Riz for providing time to talk with us.