As an artist, producer, and community builder, K-Riz focuses on creating spaces that introduce young people to creative and professional possibilities early.
“For me, it’s exciting to see their faces light up,” he shares. “You never know where a kid is coming from, so being able to put them in a room with instruments they can touch, feel, and fall in love with — that shapes the future of what we’re building. I didn’t have access to that until my late 30s.”
That belief is at the heart of Jam Club, a weekly program K-Riz participates in at the National Music Center, where young artists come together to make music, collaborate, and perform live. For him, stage experience is essential to artistic development — a way to build confidence and self-recognition.
“Getting on a stage, having people watch — you grow from that,” he said. “It makes me happy to empower them through music. That, to me, is the responsibility and the excitement of becoming an elder in this community. Art can be self-serving, so giving back matters.”
At its core, K-Riz’s work is about continuity, ensuring the next generation has more access, more confidence, and more room to imagine. For him, the future isn’t abstract. It’s already in the room, learning, listening, and waiting to be heard.
Reaching Far Beyond
His upcoming album, Heaven, reflects that same ethos of community-building. During one recent session, K-Riz put out a call for vocalists, expecting just a few responses. But more than 20 musicians showed up, including young ones.
“That’s community,” he said. “In Alberta, there’s a perceived ceiling — people think there’s only so far you can go.” Through collaborations with nationally recognized artists and Grammy-certified producers, as well as mentors now based in Western Canada, K-Riz is committed to shifting that perception. “I want to show them they can reach further. You don’t always need to leave. We have so much right here.”
Heaven, arriving in the fall, is both a creative milestone and a community statement. The 14-track album was recorded between the National Music Centre and 3rd Verse Studios, grounding the project within Calgary’s cultural landscape.
It brings together an expansive circle of collaborators. Production comes from LordQuest, Junia-T, El.Wav, KazMega, JDats, Matt Marlo, Bubby Lewis, Octavio N. Santos, Deppisch, and The Family, while featured artists include Drezus, Bijaan, TeaFannie, Ice Tha One, BKay, and Zenon. More than an album, Heaven functions as a gathering point.
By bringing national and international talent into Calgary-based spaces, K-Riz continues to challenge the perceived ceilings placed on artists in Alberta, showing that world-class work can be built here, together, and in community.
You can see K-Riz & The Family perform in partnership with JazzYYC on February 15 at Eau Claire Plaza (Chinook Blast).
