Sled Island Festival Series: K-Riz Interview

K-Riz on Sled Island 2026, Calgary Hip Hop, and One Way Ticket to Heaven | The Sonic Collective

In this Sonic Collective Sled Island series episode, host Darren Scott interviews Western Canadian artist K-Riz ahead of Sled Island 2026, discussing his journey from Edmonton and Toronto, his genre-blending sound (hip hop, R&B, pop, jazz, reggae), and his reputation for powerful live shows with K-Riz and the Family. K-Riz shares how he first connected with Calgary’s scene, his early Sled Island experience opening for Thundercat at the Palace Theatre, artists he’s discovered there, and how the festival helps build community and broaden hip hop audiences—especially through more artists performing with live bands. He also highlights key Calgary venues, his work as an educator at the National Music Centre, and details an upcoming album, Heaven, recorded at NMC, plus upcoming Sled Island and Stampede performances.

June 18th Sled Island @ The Ship & Anchor
Stampede Coke stage July 10th

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krizmusic/

00:00 Show Intro
01:07 Sled Island Series Setup
02:32 Meeting K-Rizz
03:25 Origins and Early Career
04:49 Edmonton to Calgary Move
05:50 First Sled Island Memories
06:22 Festival Discoveries
07:45 Hip Hop at Sled Island
09:23 Calgary Scene and Venues
12:28 Community and Collaboration
15:39 New Album and NMC Work
19:04 Upcoming Shows and Where to Listen
20:27 Sled Island Picks and Wrap
22:38 Closing Thanks and Sign Off

The theme music for The Sonic Collective is Dust by Les Gigantiques from Calgary. Our thanks to the band for letting us use and feature their music. Be sure to check them out. https://www.instagram.com/lesgigantiques/

Transcript

0:02

Welcome to The Sonic Collective, where music's past meets its future. Join hosts Alan Scott Scott and Darren Scott as we explore the albums, artists, and movements that shaped the music we love today. From legendary records and influential musicians to rising artists creating tomorrow's soundtrack, we're passionate about helping music fans discover what matters. While streaming algorithms push what they're paid to promote, we dig deeper, connecting you with the classics you need to revisit and the new artists you need to hear. Rediscover the music that shaped the past. Discover the artists shaping the future. This is The Sonic Collective

Music 0:50

Where love is. Paper and a pen, I escape the planet. I just try to stay above shit. Visions of the moon when I visit Saturn. Imagine life where color doesn't matter. Imagine peace where murder doesn't happen to my people dying in the streets every day around the world, blood splatter. Sit back, chill, watch

Intro 1:07

Welcome back to our ongoing Sled Island series, where we're exploring one of Canada's most important independent music festivals and the artists who help make it such a vital part of Calgary's cultural identity. Throughout this series, we're sitting down with some of the incredible musicians performing at Sled Island 2026 to learn about their music, their creative journeys, and what this unique festival means to them and the broader Canadian music community. Today, we're joined by K-Rizz, one of Western Canada's most exciting and versatile artists. Blending hip hop, R&B, pop, jazz, and reggae influences, K-Rizz has built a reputation for creating music that's both deeply personal and undeniably uplifting. Whether he's reflecting on life's challenges, celebrating growth and resilience, or commanding a stage with his seven-piece band, K-Rizz and the Family, he always delivers an unforgettable live experience. From award nominations and critical acclaim to performances at festivals across Canada, K-Rizz has steadily established himself as one of the most compelling voices in Canadian hip hop. In this conversation, we discuss his musical journey, his connection to Sled Island, and how festivals like this help artists build community, find audiences, and create opportunities that can shape careers. I'm Darren Scott, and this is the Sonic Collective. Here's my conversation with K-Rizz. Enjoy.

Darren Scott 2:32

I saw you last year actually. I was sitting at the Ship Anchor right in that main area when you got up with Bijan and, yeah, and Hawa B. Oh man, Hawa B., that, she put on a show that, that day

K-Riz 2:42

that was, that's when she was like chewing the cucumber and like spitting it out at people and things like

Darren Scott 2:47

Yeah. Oh my God. Yeah.

K-Riz 2:49

insane

Darren Scott 2:50

That one, I was just like, "What is going on? This is an..." I've always had a thing for Sade too, and she had very Sade vibes, and I'm like, "Oh my God." Yeah, I fell in love that day again, I think. but, yeah, I... But I know you got up there that time and, that was a great, hip hop set at The Ship that afternoon, Yeah. Awesome. so yeah. thanks again. But yeah, I appreciate it, and I'm reading your, some of your bios and stuff, and sounds like, I'm a bit of an older guy, but, it's funny, I always loved my hip hop And I saw you like Eric B., Rakim, and Tribe Called Quest for me, all that hip hop. '90s soul like, oh man, so you're ri- right up my alley. So I'm glad to be talking to you let's get rolling. I, tell me a little bit about yourself and your musical journey.

K-Riz 3:29

Oh, man. My name is K-Rizz. I am, I was born and, and raised in slash Edmonton, with my mom living in Toronto, my dad living in Edmonton, so I've been back and forth my whole life. yeah, I... a rapper. I've picked up singing or incorporated singing along the way. I think I've been singing since I was a baby also in church and like that. yeah, got a, I got a band. We, we go across the country, sometimes different continents. we went to South Korea. We've been, we've been all over the place and been able to, you know, spread the gospel that is music and good music and bringing people together. to me, that, that is the ultimate goal

Darren Scott 4:15

Yeah, that's amazing. When did, music become more serious for you? It sounds like it was there your whole life. When did it become more than just a hobby?

K-Riz 4:22

it would be, it, it probably would've became more of a hobby, probably like between 15 and 10 years ago. was always recording music. My uncle, Arrow Eats Everything, formerly known as E Dot, part of a group called Hero. I wanted to be, know, I just wanted to be like him, and I wanted to be like some of my favorites. And yeah, I was like, the only way to use this talent is take it seriously and put it in front of people and see what happens. So

Darren Scott 4:49

when did you start at Edmonton and that scene, and then what connected you and moved you to Calgary?

K-Riz 4:54

I'd probably say around '06, '07 is when I, I really, really got into the Edmonton scene. was a showcase here, called 10 at 10. So it was 10 artists, you know, they had 10 minutes to go up there and show their stuff, and, Benny, who, was a 10 at 10 founder, he invited me to Calgary to come do a showcase. And it was surprising because it was a random Wednesday night. the Commonwealth was packed, which is very hard to do for hip hop showcases.

Darren Scott 5:25

it's a big venue

K-Riz 5:26

oh yeah, and it was packed. Like, it was... Like, there were some celebrities up in there, and, that was my first experience, my first, like, adult experience, here in Calgary, and I just loved it, and I just, I just wanted to keep coming here and, watering that, connection and hoping that it blooms into something. And I guess it bloomed into me moving here. That's how much I like it So

Darren Scott 5:49

Yeah, amazing. So when did you first hear about the Sled Island Festival?

K-Riz 5:53

I first heard about it think around 2017, around the same time, our first time at Sled we opened for Thundercat at the Palace Theatre. crazy show. Crazy venue, crazy show. we were a pretty big band. I think we had 13 members of our band at that point in time. but yeah, that was the first time, and it was an amazing experience

Darren Scott 6:17

Palace, you mentioned another great, venue. We got the Commonwealth Palace. Calgary's got some great, live venues. so besides you playing there, have you, at Sled Island, what artist or bands or acts have you discovered at the festival while you were experiencing it?

K-Riz 6:33

Ooh. I got to see Princess Nokia, which was dope. She actually came out and talked to us after,

Darren Scott 6:40

Oh, cool

K-Riz 6:41

And I mean, I was somewhat, I was somewhat, like, a fan of hers, but I've never really got to see her, like, live and do her thing, so I got to see that. even just watching, like, peers from the community, you know, do their thing. It, it's just like an all-star... It's like a, it feels like a music all-star week, here in the city, so there's just so many people to, to check out. H- Hawa B w- was another one that I was pleasantly surprised

Darren Scott 7:08

yeah. We were just talking about that, how it would be, definitely open some eyes and, very, sensual, sexy, soulful. Wow. yeah, amazing

K-Riz 7:16

it was, was, an experience. and yeah, I just didn't really know... I wasn't really walking in there any expectations. I've, I've met a, an artist, Mackie, he's from Montreal also, same with HOWABEE. and I met him out here also, and we've just been, we've just been friends and, you know, peers in music community for a while now. we met through Sled Island, so just meeting a lot of friends and making a lot of friends

Darren Scott 7:44

Yeah, fantastic. So hip hop historically has received a bit less festival representation, but that's growing than I guess, let's call it alternative or punk or other acts like that. I guess how has Sled Island helped grow, Calgary and I guess local Alberta audiences to hip hop?

K-Riz 8:02

I think it's also forced a lot of hip hop artists to expand. it's f- forced hip hop artists to, you know, get a band together on stage and, you know, and bring that musicality plus the lyricism to the people. I think it's, it's easier to digest, when there is music, when there's live musicians and instrumentation behind it. I mean, outside of a hip hop community that's used to a DJ and a microphone, it just invites more people into the music 'cause you'll have... 'Cause I mean, people don't really know that, you know, hip hop has elements of jazz in it. know, that's, that's kind of what birthed the culture. And, you know, bringing that to people just entices them and invites them, and it makes it comfortable for a new listener to embrace hip hop. So I think you're seeing in Calgary, you're seeing in Calgary right now, I was talking about it the other day, you're seeing a lot of hip hop artists with bands, and I think that kinda elevates the craft

Darren Scott 9:06

Yeah, totally agree. y- the old classic two turntables and a microphone is great, but, to add those elements, and I think you yourself, are known for that, not just a strict rapper, but again, you mentioned, you've been singing for a while, and you do a great job at that. going back, d- digging a little deeper, what is the hip hop community in Calgary Alberta like, and, what opportunities does it have to grow here?

K-Riz 9:33

I think it's a very hungry, community. I think it, m- like everybody works hard. there's venues here that allow the music in there. I, there was a time where Alberta was losing their venues. but I mean, we still got some venues that really support, the music community here. like I said, you're starting to see, a boom of hip hop artists with bands, and I think that, you know, changes the way people outside of here view hip hop. I mean, it showcases the musicians that we have, it showcases the artists that we have, and it showcases the vocalists that we have. So I think with that, it's just a matter of time before the rest of the world catches on. I think there is a w- a bunch of world-class artists here, and younger ones coming up also, that, you know, are waiting for the world to discover them. we do... We have artists like Cartel Madras, Arlo Maverick, myself, Bijan is, is exploding this year, T-Fanny. and I mean, to me, those are all, those are all world-class artists, Micah Sage, all world-class artists. and it's just a matter of time. I think if we all stay focused and we all stay pushing, I think, I think this year and next year are gonna be very good years for Alberta music in general

Darren Scott 10:55

Yeah, agreed. I'm somebody who goes and sees a lot of live music too, and actually Cartel Madras is someone that I'm also interviewing, so I'm very excited to, talk to those two. yeah, very cool, and have some really big international exposure as well. So yeah, I think you're right. I, Alberta and Calgary, especially in the modern political climate, can be just seen as, crazy and, all this political stuff. But really, there's a very cool musical culture, in and around, especially the bigger cities of Calgary and Edmonton. But, yeah, and great artist, that you've recommended there, and highly recommend anybody get out to see them when they possibly can. what venues, now you mentioned a couple that you said that are really supporting. I'd love to give them a shout-out. w- what, venues do you mostly play or would you recommend in, the Calgary or Alberta area?

K-Riz 11:41

the, the classic Ship and Anchor.

Darren Scott 11:44

Yeah, ship is always great.

K-Riz 11:45

is always great. I believe we are there on the 18th of June Sled Island.

Darren Scott 11:52

Yeah

K-Riz 11:52

so you got Ship, you got Palomino, you got The Attic down in Inglewood. you got the Prairie Emporium, National Music Center, shout out to them. King Eddy, classic venue. I'm trying to think. I just don't wanna forget anybody. Commonwealth, Palace, Contemporary Calgary, Arts Commons. know, there's a lot of, there is, there are a lot of ar- arts places. Alcove. I cannot forget about

Darren Scott 12:18

Yeah, good one

K-Riz 12:18

and I think Alcove is great because they help support an artist from a ground level, you know, from open mics to, to doing shows and doing showcases, so

Darren Scott 12:28

What opportunities do you think, especially Sled Island itself has created that maybe don't exist elsewhere in maybe Alberta or even any- anywhere in Canada,

K-Riz 12:37

to me the opportunities that it, it, I mean, you have a city like Toronto. It's, it's big. hard to, to connect everyone and bring everyone together. It's very because you have surrounding areas, Brampton, Mississauga, things like that. It's very hard to do that. whereas in Calgary and, or Edmonton, we are, we're very lucky because we're not as big. So, you know, having a festival that, you know, in city that you're living in, it just brings the community together. First of all, it brings the artists together, got artists in the same place getting to see each other, getting to fellowship, getting to, to chop it up, and be around each other for like, what, a week? it's, it's nice to, it's nice to do that. It's nice to be able to do that, and also it just brings out the community, like the, it brings out the people, the music lovers come out and, enjoy music from your local community or, you know, just artists that haven't like, blown up yet. you get to see them, you know, working their stuff out, and I think that is incredible. I think that's very cool and very unique

Darren Scott 13:46

back to S- Sled Island, you mentioned playing at the Palace, but how does performing at a Sled Island stage different than playing one of your regular club shows?

K-Riz 13:56

Well, it, it's 'cause the artists come out and watch. You know? Some of the artists that you're sharing the bills with, and sometimes that lineup can be very diverse. is not like you can be a rapper on a bill with a rock band or, like, a punk band or a math rock band. and you guys get to, you know, get to see each other do your, do your thing, and I think that is very cool, and it is, it's very special, 'cause you can learn from each other. You can form bonds that last forever. I think that is, is such a cool thing about Sled Island

Darren Scott 14:29

Yeah, totally agree. And I mentioned I actually saw the hip hop show at last year's Slut Island at the Ship and Anchor, which awesome venue and so great and full afternoon, and you showed up. I don't think you were actually on that bill, were you? Or were, was that... Yeah,

K-Riz 14:41

I, yeah, I never get a chance to just sit and watch shows.

Darren Scott 14:44

yeah

K-Riz 14:45

if I'm on a song with one of the performers, it's nine times out of 10 I'm gonna, I'm gonna have to get up there and perform. So...

Darren Scott 14:51

Yeah. we appreciate it. it was a very good set, and and I think, and just to, people don't know this, but, I'm a guy in my 50s. but like you mentioned, really it just, SLED brings together is this diverse crowd. And I love live music, but I don't have the time and all that to necessarily get out to all the club shows at night. But like SLED, you can get exposed. So it really exposes like hip hop, all kinds of artists to every kind of demographic. you might all of a sudden pick up fans that you might never, ever be exposed to you otherwise.

K-Riz 15:22

Yeah

Darren Scott 15:23

yeah. Yeah, so would you say SLED has influenced your own musical direction at all?

K-Riz 15:28

I think so. I think so. I, I love being on the festival circuit, so, it, I mean, yeah, 'cause you just never know who's out there watching,

Darren Scott 15:37

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. let's get into a bit of, yourself and, what are you working on, right now?

K-Riz 15:43

currently working on a new album that is hopefully, fingers crossed, going to be released in October. it's a follow-up to my last album, One Way Ticket. This one is called Heaven, so One Way Ticket to Heaven. kind of the idea.

Darren Scott 15:57

Ha, I like it.

K-Riz 15:59

So our one, One Way Ticket to Heaven or one way to get to heaven, so it depends how you say it. it was recorded at the National Music Center here in the city, with a lot of community, I think, which is a key word here. a lot of community that came through. We had a choir in there. We had a lot of musicians in there. a lot of, like, heavy hitter producers from all over the country here working on this album. So, besides that, just getting ready for Sled, getting ready for Stampede, getting ready for a crazy summer. it's artist mode. It's the gre- best place to be.

Darren Scott 16:33

Y- yeah, absolutely. And a shout-out to the National Music Centre, NMC. I used to actually volunteer there, but, r- if people don't know this, it's really the, only museum like this in Canada, and it's here in Calgary in Alberta. And, I saw you do a segment about, different synths, there. And obviously were you, I think you were part of the program 'cause they will have r- residents there, right? And you can u-

K-Riz 16:54

there actually.

Darren Scott 16:55

oh, you worked there. Oh, man, even better

K-Riz 16:56

I'm, I'm an educator there, so when we have kids that come, from schools on field trips, we're the ones that put instruments in their hands, teach them about certain elements of sound and of music, maybe some songwriting stuff. yeah, we had a, we got a great team over there

Darren Scott 17:12

Yeah, and the artifacts and the instruments and everything they have there is, mind-blowing. when I tell people, the Rolling Stone mobile studio was there that recorded probably most of the greatest albums of the '70s, people are, like, blown away. But, really cool center and very much supporting, the whole Canadian music scene, but obviously centered here in Calgary, can only support local artists better, so that's amazing as well.

K-Riz 17:36

that people don't know that it's here. you know, we have four halls of fames there. the hall of fame ceremony is there,

Darren Scott 17:42

Mm-hmm.

K-Riz 17:43

and you know what I mean? So for musicians listening, you know, that's a place you should check out. I think you... When it comes to history, you just never know where you're going unless you know where you come from. and, and the impact that Canadian music has had on the world, and I think that is, one of the most slept-on things when it comes to Canadian music, is that we've the world, you know? and it... I don't think... Obviously, I don't think Canadians are as braggadocious as Americans, but especially when it comes to our music, but we have definitely done some great things from David Foster to Celine Dion. know, yeah, we've, we've done a lot and influenced a lot. You know,

Darren Scott 18:25

Yeah

K-Riz 18:25

American Woman, I didn't realize it was a Canadian song unt- or a Canadian-written song until I worked there. Sunglasses at Night, I didn't know either. so you know, it's just,

Darren Scott 18:37

Corey Hart, yeah.

K-Riz 18:38

Yeah, Corey Hart, I didn't... He even has his glasses there. So it's, you know, I didn't know these things until, I worked there, and these are songs that are hu- and artists that are huge

Darren Scott 18:49

Yeah. Ca- Canada punches way above our weight class musically, and I think the world should know that for our population. and really, the Canadian content laws that were put in, I think in the '70s have really done nothing but really help foster, the Canadian artist, and very grateful for that. so you mentioned obviously you're playing Sled. Do you have any other shows booked in the coming months?

K-Riz 19:09

we got Stampede July 10th. So we're on the Coke stage July 10th, 1:45 PM. we got some great, we got some great music. We're doing an all new set. we've had Kemi Sala, who is, Drake's, MD. D- he's for Deborah Cox. He's done some work for, Julie Black, who was just recently here. yeah, he's, him and Trey of Melafrique have been helping to put together our set and MD our set and arrange. So we're gonna, we're gonna bring the goods

Darren Scott 19:38

Yeah, that sounds super. I didn't know you were at the Stampede. that's a big stage it's a good problem to have and what a way to, feature, your art.

K-Riz 19:45

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Darren Scott 19:46

Yeah.

K-Riz 19:47

they had more emphasis on putting, artists and Canadian artists on the bill this time, which was pretty cool to see

Darren Scott 19:55

Yeah and as they should. where can people, find your music? And I will obviously, when we post the podcast in the, show notes with the episode, I'll make sure to share all that. But, w- where do, where can people listen to you?

K-Riz 20:06

the main place is krizmusic.com, K-R-I-Z-M-U-S-I-C.com. krizmusic on Instagram, K-R-I-Z, or, K-R-I-Z-M-U-S-I-C on IG. it's krizmusic on TikTok. K hyphen R-I-Z on any streaming platform, and you can find me

Darren Scott 20:26

that's fantastic. anything, you wanna add before we wrap up today?

K-Riz 20:30

just make sure you come and enjoy Sled Island. Enjoy the week, enjoy the city being on fire. Like, not literally, but with music. like, enjoy, come and enjoy the great music that, you know, your artists have to offer

Darren Scott 20:44

I guess one last question you just sparked me there is, what, what bands or artists do you wanna see at Sled Island this year?

K-Riz 20:51

Ooh, I wanna see what Cartel Madras is doing. That is,

Darren Scott 20:53

Oh, yes

K-Riz 20:54

is, my main priority. I wanna see what they're working on. I know they got some cool eclectic, things going on. They're peers of mine. I connect with them every once in a while, but I know they've been working hard on some music, and it's been a while. So love to see what they've got cooking this time around. I wanna see what Bijan's got going on. So, know, it's, And, and I mean, most of the time it's just I'm open for discovery, so

Darren Scott 21:19

Yeah, and that's the beauty of Sled Island. small intimate clubs, but you can really see the up-and-coming bands that really pull from not only out- obv- obviously the Calgary and Alberta area, but really this whole region of, Canada and the US. We get a lot of Northwestern acts that come up from, the Northwestern US, in for the shows, but they pull internationally as well. I'm excited to do it too. But, K-Riz, thanks for talking to me today. I really appreciate it. It's been a pleasure talking to you, and all the best in your career and, we'll, see you out there. And for the listeners here, please, get out there and see live music. hey, it's easy to stream and stream local as well, but, get out there. See a show. That's where you really see, the lifeblood and the pulse of the city. And it's not just country music here in Alberta. There's so much. We have so much more. K-Riz, once again, thanks for, today and everything, and, best of luck.

K-Riz 22:08

Thank you very much

22:11

It's amazing, the way you look at me. It drives me crazy, the way that dress hugs your body. Can I push up on your love? Can I kiss up on your love? Move your hips up on my love. Your lips are all I want. Your skin's so soft, it's craving. Maybe me and you could go have on a baby That was K-riz of K-riz and the Family, one of the artists performing at Sled Island 2026. A huge thank you to K-riz for taking the time to speak with me today, and for sharing his perspective on music, creativity, and the importance of festivals like Sled Island in helping independent artists connect with new audiences. If you haven't yet explored his music, be sure to check out his latest album, One Way Ticket, and keep an eye out for K-riz and the Family on stages across Canada. This interview is part of our special Sled Island series. If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to also check out our interviews with other artists performing at this year's festival, along with our feature episode, the Sonic Collective presents Sled Island: The Festival That Changed Calgary Music, where we explore the history, impact, and legacy of this incredible Calgary institution. We'll also be releasing a post-festival recap episode where we'll share stories from the festival, reactions from fans, and our thoughts on what made this year's special event special. That's a lot of specials. Until next time, keep discovering, keep listening, and keep supporting independent music. I'm Darren Scott, and this has been the Sonic Collective. Thanks for listening Thanks for listening to The Sonic Collective. If you enjoyed this episode, help us keep great music alive by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the show with a fellow music fan. Be sure to explore our growing catalog of album reviews, artist interviews, festival coverage, and music discoveries from across Canada and beyond. The theme music for The Sonic Collective is Dust by Léger Gongtique from Calgary. Our thanks to the band for letting us use and feature their music. Be sure to check them out. Until next time, keep listening, keep discovering, and keep the conversation going. This is The Sonic Collective signing off