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Riz Rollins
Riz Rollins, also known as DJ Riz, is a disc jockey in Seattle. He is known as a radio personality on KEXP-FM and for presenting his radio show there, "Expansions".[1] Riz is a prominent gay and black public figure in LGBT culture in Seattle.[2] He is known for deejaying at gay venues including Pony and Cuff Complex.[1] Rollins grew up in Chicago.[1] His mother took him to his first music concert, where performers Dionne Warwick, Gene Chandler and The Temptations influenced his perspective.[1] He sang in the Operation Breadbasket choir.[3] He regularly heard Reverend Jesse Jackson preach.[3] Upon hearing the James Brown song, "Cold Sweat", he felt that it described his life as a poor black youth.[3] He lived in Chicago till age 25.[3] He studied religion and psychology in college.[3] In a 1992 article, a reviewer of radio shows on KCMU-FM (now KEXP-FM) said that Rollins was one of the people who defined the culture of the station.[4][5] In the 1990s when Rollins began deejaying in Seattle, he played artists including Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, The Pharcyde, and De La Soul.[2] When Seattle Art Museum profiled Rollins in 2018, he cited Kerry James Marshall as an inspiration.[6] In a profile of the black arts scene in Seattle, Rollins commented that it is more vibrant than many people are aware.[7] Rollins likes Espresso Vivace.[3] References
External linksInformation related to Riz Rollins |
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