DJ Riz - A Legend Who Walks Amongst Us...Raising a Nation!

DJ Riz

How do you describe a pioneer in an industry who has done everything? How do you describe a man who literally PUT a music genre on the map?? DJ Riz is a legend and words are almost inadequate to describe this revolutionary musical soul who truly needs no introduction. This man is KNOWN around the globe and he commands international respect because despite his humble nature, he is the leader of a huge following and what we would like to term as the,"Riz Nation". Born to cut and mash music from a rebellious age of 15, this DJ celebrity is amongst the elite in the entertainment community and one of the most sought after deejay artists in the club scene. As the other major partner of the Brooklyn-born Crooklyn Clan duo, with long time friend DJ Sizzahandz, Riz has spent the majority of his lifetime honing his exceptional innate mixing ability. He nurtured his love of music and mixing after the fire in his belly was lit by world-renowned deejays Marley Marl, Mr. Magic and Chuck Chillout.

DJ Marley Marl - "The reason I became a DJ" Riz

He was taken the moment he heard these marvels and the fascination with the creative mixing process has never waned. Being an intelligent man, Riz not only pursued higher academics and athletic pursuits along his life path, but he also made opportunities for himself in the music industry. He got some of his initial breaks in college/ underground radio and commercial radio. This radio love affair would last 16+ years and would be a major foundation in the industry street smarts evolved by Riz. His style was enthusiastically embraced by the student communities of NY's Hofstra and Adelphi Universities, as he was offering listeners the cutting edge of mixed Hip-Hop and was eventually recognized for his outstanding efforts when he was awarded the Gavin Seminar for best college radio Hip-Hop show. In addition to radio exposure, DJ Riz enjoyed the challenge and heat of competing in DJ Battles such as DMC and keeping his edge fresh by participating in the New Music Seminar. Riz was also mentored by some amazing Brooklyn deejay powerhouses that included: DJ Daddy Rich, DJ Majesty, DJ Scratch, DJ Dice and Clark Kent (Superman)! Greatness can never be kept hidden for long and soon Riz was on the tour circuit, having caught the attention of MC Serch, Funkmaster Flex and Arsenio Hall. This man's career was cracking wide open and would eventually lead to one of his greatest achievements to date, and that was the creation of his deejay partnership with Sizzahandz.

DJ Riz and DJ Sizzahandz = The Crooklyn Clan

Their collective force and career unification in 1995 would lead to a massive title wave that would shake the music industry to the core. It caused recording artists and record label execs to sit up and take notice of the power of remixing. Boundaries and music genre definitions were starting to be questioned and perspectives were being challenged in mainstream music. The Crooklyn Clan quickly became masters at cutting and grinding out major club and party anthems in conjunction with Hip Hop royalty such as Fatman Scoop and Stick E. It was THE Crooklyn Clan that produced chart toppers, "Be Faithful", "The Franklins" and "Say What"!

As he was scratching his mark across record labels, Riz was soon rocking out his own collections with his first being released with other deejay legends Scribble and Firstborn of ,"The Young Black Teenagers". This first album was produced under, "Brooklyn Slumlordz" on the Nervous Records label. Since then he has also produced, "Live From Brooklyn" Volumes I & II co-signed by the infamous DJ Premier. DJ Riz has now reached a level of notoriety amongst the many celebrities that go clubbing at exclusive clubs throughout the States and beyond. He has been THE go-to DJ for A-listers such as: 50, Paris, Kelly Clarkson, Donald Trump' s birthday bash( who only EVER selects the best), Heidi Klum, Marcus Allen, Mike Tyson, Lizzie Grubman and The Major League Baseball All-Star game.

50 and Riz

DJ Riz Kickin' It With Over 100,000 Of His Closest, His "Riz Nation!"

In addition to baseball, Riz was the Official DJ for the NFL in 2005, and in 2007 he played for a crowd of OVER 100,000 in Miami at the Official Kick-off party! "Riz Nation" truly has reached far and wide and the demand for his mixin' & mashin' has brought him to such diverse international destinations as clubs in Ibiza, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Canada and Switzerland to name a few. The years of shaping and tweaking his style and perfecting his technique is what sets Riz apart and fellow Vault DJ Jay Dabhi recently commented upon the influence that Riz has had upon his career development. " DJ Riz for the energy he brings to a club, plus his mixing is the quickest/cleanest I've heard." His style is hard to nail down...except it appears that his overall preference is still Hip-Hop, but Riz loves to push the envelope and here is a line-up of some of my favorites from his 2006/07 repertoire that I think set him apart:

"Rock n' Roll Crunk" - Sports Anthem

"We Will Whip It"," Mobb In The Wind"," Have You Ever Pumped It Up", Carly Simon "You Belong To Ski", "Mad Grind", "Jackson Jive", "Freak It Hilton" (hilarious) - Old Skool

"Heartache Diary", "Rapture Scared"- Dark, and Edgey....EMO Drop

"Let Me Clear My Satisfaction", "Forget About Children", "Remind Royksopp", "Crank That", "Is That Your Transition" - House/Hip-Hop hybrid

"California Creamin'" - Old Skool/House hybrid

"Suave Culo" - Latino

"Work It" - Reggaeton Mix

"Krispy Kicks", "I Get Money Break" - True Hip-Hop

DJ Riz with DJ Tina T

If you ever get the opportunity to catch DJ Riz live and in da clubs, you really must seize the moment. DJ Riz currently holds residencies in major hubs such as: New York, San Francisco (whoohoo!), Toronto, Atlantic City, Las Vegas (Pure and Tangerine), and Chicago. However, he is all over the globe and you can catch his schedule on his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/djriznyc .
DJ Riz Chillin' With Paris and Verne!!

Hall-of-famers come along once in a blue moon and when they do, they rewrite history. In this case DJ Riz's turntable has left a blazing trail across the music history chronicles. His ability and vision helped to redirect not only the club culture, but it also influenced how current mainstream music is created today and definitely elevated the importance and profile of the deejay in the music making process. When DJ Riz and Riz Nation are in the House, you better be shakin' babies!! Check out the Bio information provided by DJ Riz and also the amazing timeline of this artist!

DJ Riz
Biography

Proudly hailing from Brooklyn, NY, DJ RIZ is one of today's most respected DJs. Few DJs reach this level of success while still maintaining their credibility, and for RIZ his experience speaks for itself. In his career spanning over 20 years, he has covered every aspect a DJ’s career possibly can: College/Underground Radio, Commercial Radio, Artist DJ, Club DJ, and even Corporate DJ. His experience has also allowed him to keep an ear to the street which resulted in his own production and remixes along with DJ Sizzahandz as part of the now infamous Crooklyn Clan. In looking at DJ RIZ’s accomplishments, it becomes apparent why he has attained commercial appeal while maintaining street credibility.

Starting at the tender age of 15, DJ Riz’s influences included legendary DJs such as Marley Marl, Mr. Magic and Chuck Chillout. In 1990, while attending Hofstra University in Long Island, NY where he played college football, DJ Riz landed his first radio show on 88.7 WRHU with Jeff Foss where they showcased then local artists such as Public Enemy and Leaders of the New School. It was also during this time when the former 3-sport athlete competed in both the New Music Seminar and DMC DJ Battles. Leading up to the DJ Battles, Riz practiced with great DJs of that time who also all hailed from Brooklyn including DJ Daddy Rich (3rd Bass), DJ Majesty (Da King & I), DJ Scratch (EPMD), DJ Dice (Das EFX) and Clark Kent (Superman). Two years later, Riz joined 90.3 WBAU of Adelphi University with host Wild Man Steve at “The Hip Hop Spot” which later won Best College Radio Hip-Hop Show at the Gavin Seminar. In 1994, he became DJ for “New York Live” on 89.9 WNYU New York University with Mayhem and later DJ Eclipse. It was during this time in underground college radio where DJ Riz began to gain his status in hip-hop.
In the next few years DJ RIZ developed into the ‘Artist’s DJ’. In 1992, he became MC Serch’s tour DJ, which included a live performance on The Arsenio Hall Show. In the same year, he released his first record under “Brooklyn Slumlordz” with DJ Skribble and Firstborn of ‘The Young Black Teenagers’ on the Nervous Records label.

Funkmaster Flex

The following year, Riz met the legendary Funkmaster Flex at NYC’s nightclub Homebase. Eventually Flex asked Riz to become a member of Flex’s Flip Squad DJ crew. Over the years Riz would continue to DJ at clubs all over the tri-state area. It was during these years where Riz came to gain credibility and respect as a hip-hop DJ In the clubs.

DJ Sizzahandz and DJ Riz

Riz’s ear for music, honed by years of radio and club gigs, naturally progressed into his own remixes and production. In 1995 he formed Crooklyn Clan with longtime neighborhood friend DJ Sizzahandz. The team went on to produce countless party anthems such as “Be Faithful” featuring Fatman Scoop, and “The Franklins” and “Say What” featuring Stick-E. These came to become classic party anthem standards that are still heard at every club to this day. Today they continue to be at the forefront of the genre as the first pioneers of the ‘mash-up’ remix.
The success of Crooklyn Clan landed them on commercial radio station 103.5 WKTU in NYC. After 16 years of college radio, Riz was now on mainstream radio with the weekly “Crooklyn Clan Show” with DJ Sizzahandz

The Crooklyn Clan in Tapei

Keeping to his credibility, DJ Riz released “Live From Brooklyn” Volumes I & II co-signed by the legendary DJ Premier. This two CD set, with Volume I originally released in 1997, features a seamless blend of original songs most commonly sampled in hip-hop today. It is through projects such as this where DJ Riz maintains the respect of radio and club DJs alike.
Wherever his journey takes him next, it is apparent DJ RIZ will continue to be successful while maintaining his credibility, whether he is playing the records, or making them.

DJ Riz Career Timeline

1985: After spending countless hours monitoring the likes of Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, Red Alert, Chuck Chillout, and the Awesome Two, “DJ Riz” begins his journey into the world of DJing and record collecting.
1986 – 1989: Riz spends most of his free time practicing DJ battle routines with Brooklyn area DJs Richie Rich (3rd Bass), DJ Majesty (Da King & I), DJ Dice (Das EFX), and DJ Clark Kent (Supermen). At the same time, he begins making mix tapes and starts performing live at local Canarsie (Brooklyn) block parties and clubs.

1990: Riz attends Hofstra University, plays on the school’s football team, and competes in both the New Music Seminar and DMC DJ battles. He starts DJing at his first radio show, the “Post Punk Porgressive Pop Party”, otherwise known as “P5” on 88.7 WRHU at Hofstra University in Long Island, NY with longtime host Jeff Foss and home to local artists such as Public Enemy, Leaders of the New School, Original Concept, etc.
1991: He switches to radio station 90.3 WBAU at Adelphi University and joins host Wild Man Steve at “The Hip Hop Spot”, later winning a Gavin Seminar award for best college radio hip-hop show.
1992: DJ Riz and Eclipse become MC Serch’s tour DJs and perform live on the Arsenio Hall Show. In the same year, Riz releases his first record under the “Brooklyn Slumlordz” name with DJ Skribble and Firstborn of the “Young Black Teenagers” on the Nervois Records label.

1993: Riz meets Funkmaster Flex at the club Homebase in NYC and is later asked to become a member of Flex’s Fliq Squad DJ crew.
1994: The “Hip Hop Spot” weekly radio show at WBAU ends, and Riz becomes DJ for “New York Live” 89.9 WNYU at New York University with Mayhem and later DJ Eclipse.

Ol' School Homies (DJ Eclipse)

1995: The Crooklyn Clan DJ/Production team is formed with longtime neighborhood friend “Sizzahandz”. The team goes on to produce countless party anthems such as “Be Faithful” featuring Fatman Scoop, “The Franklins” and “Say What” featuring Stick-E, as well as remixes for Sean Paul, DJ Kool, and Funkmaster Flex.
1997: Work begins and is completed on Live From Brooklyn: Volume One after longtime friend and record promoter Michael “DJ EMZ” Greene convinces Riz to make a record based on routines he would perform live.
2000: This marks the end of Riz’s college radio era, and he starts on commercial radio station WKTU 103/5 in New York with the weekly “Crooklyn Clan Show” along with DJ Sizzahandz.
2005: While continuing DJ gigs across the U.S. as well as internationally, DJ Riz is appointed the Official DJ for the National Football League. The gig includes Djing major events such as the Season Kick-Off Party in Miami, FL with performance by P. Diddy, as well as celebrity filled parties during the Superbowl.

DJ Riz with Kelly Clarkson

2006: The Crooklyn Clan wesite is launched: http://www.crooklynclan.net/, and after several years in the making, 'Live From Brooklyn: Volume Two" is finished. The Crooklyn Clan continue to produce hits while their older records become club classics and essentials for every DJ to own.
2007: In addition to holding a residency at Las Vegas clubs Pure and Tangerine, Riz continues to DJ worldwide and at every major nightclub in NYC and the tri-state area.

DJ Riz
DJ SURVEY

1. What inspired you to pick your DJ your name?

My last name is Rizzo and ever since I was young, people always called me Riz.

2. What kind of music do you like to spin?

I like to spin all different types of music. Hip Hop, R&B, Classics, Reggae, House, Rock, etc…

3. What and who are some of your major influences (artists, djs, etc.)?

Marley Marl, Red Alert, Jazzy Jeff & The Latin Rascals.

Jazzy Jeff with DJ Riz

4. Biggest reward about being a DJ?

Getting to do something you really love as well as not having to wake up at 6am in the morning everyday.

5. Biggest pet peeve about being a DJ?

The people who are out at the clubs and constantly ask for songs or make faces when they don’t like a certain song that’s playin. Dam, just go out and enjoy yourself.

6. What is the best party you have ever spun at?

Definitely has to be all the National Football League events that I do, especially the players party at the the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

7. If you could mix at a club or party anywhere, where would it be and with whom?

Jessica Alba’s private house party.

Jessica Alba

8. In what cities have you spun? Are you a resident DJ at any clubs right now?

I’ve been playin' in numerous cities for years now. I have monthly residencies in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Toronto & Atlantic City as well as a weekly gig with my partner Sizzahandz at Club Home in NYC.

9. What is the hottest club you have ever been to, either as a DJ or a patron?

Pacha in Ibiza, The Tunnel and Palladium in NYC. Anywhere in Las Vegas!!!!

Cut Killer, Riz, David Guetta & Andy B. (Pacha Ibiza)

10. Do you plan out your sets or do you play to the crowd's reactions?

I never have a planned set, I always start from scratch.

11. If you could design a club, name three important aspects of it's layout.

1) I would make sure the room layout and design are top notch and well planned out
2) the sound system and lighting has to be great
3) Make sure the staff are good workers

12. Techno/Trance or Mash-up/Hip Hop

Bob Sinclair with Riz

Mash up/Hip-Hop, but I do love House as well, always did. (Fetty Be says WhooHoo! LOL)

13. East Coast , West Coast or Euro?

All of the above

14. MAC or PC?

PC, but the MAC is comin' soon because u can run windows on the MACS, so I can have the best of both worlds.

15. Top favorite 3 tracks of all time.

There are actually too many favorites to choose from.

DJ Riz

http://www.crooklynclan.net/
http://www.myspace.com/djrizny

Honored to have had the chance...

Fetty Be

xo