Riz

Daddy Cool - Chris Moody and DJ Riz



DJ Riz’s impact on the hip-hop and DJ sound can be heard in every record, in every club around the globe. In his early radio days, Riz helped establish the authenticity and cool of the underground. Today, you can’t walk into a party without hearing a Riz produced track. He’s covered the spectrum of the hip-hop world—from artist DJ, and club DJ to remixer and original producer. Through it all, he’s managed to keep the street credibility that so many artists strive to achieve.

When Riz finally took to the tables at the ripe age of 15 his many influences—Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, Red Alert, Chuck Chillout, the Awesome Two, and DJ Clark Kent among others—were evident in the sounds he was developing. By the time he started Hofstra University in 1990, it was only natural he take to the airwaves, joining the university’s 88.7FM WRHU. Riz focused his show around local, up-and-coming artists such as Public Enemy and the Leaders of the New School. When he transferred to Adelphi University, Riz joined 90.3 FM and host Wild Man Steve on the Hip-Hop Spot. The show was awarded Best College Radio Hip-Hop Show at the Gavin Seminar, and was yet another arena for Riz to develop his talent on the tables. Riz later moved to NYU’s New York Live on 88.9 where he teamed up with Mayhem, and later DJ Eclipse. All the while, Riz was earning credibility and recognition—focusing on the music coming up on the streets around him and bringing it to the world. His keen ear for talent was quickly making him the authority on the underground hip-hop sound.

Riz didn’t limit himself to his thumping radio shows—he was often showing off his live skills in clubs around New York. After he met Funkmaster Flex at the New York club Homebase, he was invited to be a part of Flex’s Flip Squad DJ crew. As a member he was able to hone his skills under one of the era’s biggest and most respected names. Riz also went out on the road, acting as the official tour DJ for MC Serch. With Serch he performed live on The Arsenio Hall Show .

When Riz teamed up with longtime friend DJ Sizzahandz to form the Crooklyn Clan things really took off. Their conception of the party break, or transition record forever changed the way that DJs hype up a crowd. Crooklyn Clan’s collaboration with Fatman Scoop on Be Faithful blew the roof of Top 40 charts across the globe, hitting number one across Europe and has become one of the most recognizable records at any party. Other hits include The Franklins and Say What featuring Stick-E. Their international success brought the two to the mainstream, landing them a weekly radio show on New York’s 103.5 KTU. They continue to add regularly to their world famous site www.crooklynclan.net and will go down in history as the pioneers of the “mash-up” record.

Riz’s success and appeal to audiences around the world has made him one of the most demanded DJs in the game. He’s moved crowds from New York to Ibiza, Japan, Italy, and everywhere in between. In 2005 Riz became the official special events DJ for the National Football League. After years of playing college ball, it was the perfect pairing of Riz’s love of music and the game. His star studded National Football League events have included performances from heavyweights Diddy, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson and Earth Wind and Fire. Riz continues to hold residencies at some of the most elite clubs around the country, recently adding the new Shrine MGM Foxwoods where he is also a co-owner.

Wherever his music takes him next, you can be sure people will be grooving to Riz—whether he’s making the hits, or spinning them—and continuing to change the game.