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Rich Medina plays Voda lounge (Vancouver) Thursday May 13th. Click here for info.

DJ Rich Medina will be back in Vancouver on Thursday May 13 for GMAN & Rizk’s new night called The Message Thursdays at Voda. Here’s 10 minutes with Rich Medina. Rich Medina, was born and raised in New Jersey, is an artist who has exercised his opportunities to exploit his varied talents to the fullest.

A poet, DJ, producer, performer and model, Rich has emerged from the underground who's who, to the world of legitimate mass appeal and accomplishment. Currently living in Philadelphia, Rich holds weekly DJ residencies in both Philadelphia and New York spinning hip-hop, house, neuvo soul, classic funk, rare grooves and afro beat to name a few. Rich still manages to find time to host and co-own his own Internet radio show, The Dime Sack on Mediabureau.com as well as model for ECKO Unlimited, a leader in the urban apparel marketplace.

As a DJ, Rich rocks hip-hop parties the old fashioned way, with good music that stands on its own. His house music and classic dance sets are reminiscent of The Garage and all its pioneering fanfare prior to the age of the industry. As a lounge DJ, whether with neuvo soul or classic funk, there are not many who dig deeper for the ultimate in obscure vinyl bombs. From Philly to Europe and beyond, Rich has shared his talents with true party people worldwide. Proof positive that music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.

1.What made you start Colleting and playing records?
MY OLDER SISTER HAD A NICE STASH OF RECORDS, AND MY FAMILY WAS ALWAYS A MUSICAL FAMILY THROUGH THE CHURCH. MUSIC WAS ALL AROUND ME AS A CHILD, SO I JUST STOLE ALL THE RECORDS THEY OWNED ONCE I GREW INTERESTED IN PLAYING THEM AS A DJ:)

2.Who are your mentors in the industry?
MY MAN SERGIO WARDRICK, LEONARD "DOC" GIBBS, AND THE LATE WELDON IRVINE, WHO I DEVELOPED A GREAT FRIENDSHIP WITH FOR 7 YEARS BEFORE HE PASSED ON.

3. How long have you been playing records?
SINCE I WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

4. Who have you worked with and would like to work with?
I'VE WORKED WITH JILL SCOTT, NATHAN HAINES, SHUKIE, IG CULTURE, DJ SPINNA,BOBBITO, WUNMI, ALMA HORTON, JNEIRO JAREL, VASSY, DJ MITSU THE BEATS, KANOE, BAYAKA, WELDON IRVINE, AND A SHITLOAD OF OTHER DJS AND POETS AT SHOWS AND CLUBS.

I WANT TO WORK WITH ANDY BEY, TONY ALLEN, VINIA MOJICA, MADLIB, AND A FEW OTHERS TO NAME A FEW.

5. What projects are you currently working on ?
MY ALBUM, 2 SONGS ON ALMA HORTON'S ALBUM, REMIXES FOR KIM HILL AND LIZZ FIELDS, LONNIE STEVENS, AFROSTREET, THE MARKSMEN, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS IN THE PIPELINE.

6. What can you say about your experiences in Vancouver?
VANCOUVER HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE TO ME. I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT LOVE FROM THE CROWDS I'VE PLAYED FOR, AND THE FRIENDS I HAVE MADE THERE. I LOVE COMING BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ASIDE FROM THAT, ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS, ROB RIZK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROMOTER/DJS IN THE WORLD, AND HE RUNS HIS BIZ LIKE A TRUE CEO. ALL THAT COMBINED WITH HOW BEAUTIFUL THE CITY IS VISUALLY, AND VANCOUVER IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT

7. How would you compare Vancouver to any other city you have played in?
VANCOUVER IS NOT AS DIVERSE CULTURALLY AS SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES I'VE BEEN TO, BUT THEY PARTY HARD, AND THEY ARE VERY MUSICALLY OPEN MINDED, WHICH TRANSCENDS CULTURE. I THINK THAT AS LONG AS THE PROMOTERS IN VANCOUVER CAN DRAW THE TYPE OF PEOPLE I'VE WITNESSED IN MY CLUB EXPERIENCE THERE, THE SCENE CAN ONLY GET STRONGER. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE FROM PLACES OTHER THAN THE EAST COAST OF THE US THAT JUST BECAUSE YOUR CITY IS NOT A HECTIC METROPOLIS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ARTISTS FROM METROPOLIS MARKETS DON'T LOVE COMING TO THEIR CITY. I LOVE THE FACT THAT VAN CITY IS A LAID BACK AS IT IS CAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT CANVAS TO PAINT ON WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE'S ATTENTION FROM THE BOOTH, YOU KNOW?

8. What advice can give to kids growing up in the music and nightclub industry?
DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GONNA DO, AND DON'T SCREW UP OPPORTUNITIES BY TRYING TO DO THINGS THAT ARE NOT WITHIN YOUR ROLE OR YOUR SKILL SET. OTHERWISE, BE SURE YOU WANT TO GET IN THE GAME BECAUSE IT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, AND THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TIME OUT, OR ERASING MISTAKES THAT COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED WITH A LITTLE MORE FOCUS. LET THE SIMPLE THINGS BE SIMPLE, AND DEAL WITH COMPLICATIONS AND CONFUSION IN THE MOMENT, AND GET ON WITH THE TASK AT HAND. YOU NEVER GET WHAT YOU DESERVE, ONLY WHAT YOU NEGOTIATE, AND NOBODY GIVES A DAMN WHO YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE. YOU HAVE TO DEPEND ON YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON.

9. Tell us about your spoken word and how that is going for you?
MY WRITING IS GOING WELL. MOST OF IT IS STILL IN JOURNALS, DYING TO BE PRINTED AND MADE INTO A BOOK OR TWO, AND THE REST OF IT HAS FOUND ITS WAY ONTO SOME PRETTY TIMELESS SONGS, THANK GOD. I AM STILL LEARNING WHAT MY JOB IS WITH WRITING, HAVING DONE A MILLION PERFORMANCES AND EXPERIENCING THE JOURNALISM WORLD MORE AND MORE. I AM STILL LOVING MY JOURNAL THOUGH, AND THERE WILL BE MORE AND MORE OF MY WRITING AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS.

10. What made you dedicate one night a month party to Fela Kuti (Jump&funk)?
THE FACT THAT I MET DEBBIE SEALY AND TREVOR SCHOONMAKER WHEN I DID BACK IN 2000. THAT AND MY LOVE FOR THE MUSIC OF FELA, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE FEEL GOOD WITH THAT MUSIC LIKE I FELL GOOD WHEN I HEAR IT. THERE WAS NO REAL DJ PRESENCE IN NYC REGARDING THE AFROBEAT STYLE AT THE TIME. THERE WERE AND ARE OF COURSE DJS WHO ARE VERSED AND COMPETENT IN THE GENRE, BUT NONE WHO HAD MADE IT A MONTHLY GATHERING OF DANCERS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO EXPERIENCE IT. UP UNTIL WE STARTED JUMP N FUNK, I HAD ONLY HEARD BITS AND PIECES OF AFRO STUFF IN SOME DJS SETS IN THE STATES, AND I RECOGNIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILL A VOID IN THE LANDSCAPE OF STYLES YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HEAR ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT IN NYC.

11. What can we look forward to from you (Rich Medina) in the near future?
FOR ME TO BE SPINNING RECORDS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DANCE, HOPEFULLY IN YOUR TOWN, AND TO BE PUTTING OUT AN ALBUM AND CONNECTING WITH OTHER VOCALISTS AND PRODUCERS TO MAKE WHAT I HOPE WILL BE SOME TIMELESS MUSIC.

Okay Rich here's some fun questions...

1.Top 3 movies
APPACOLYPSE NOW
HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE
WILD STYLE

2.Top 3 DJs you enjoy hearing play
BOBBITO GARCIA
DJ SPINNA
THEO PARRISH

3.Top 3 live shows you have seen
ANTIBALAS AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA
ROY AYERS
PATTI LABELLE

4.Top 3 favourite places to play
VANCOUVER
AMSTERDAM
JAPAN

5.Top 3 favourtie foods
MOM'S FRIED CHICKEN
MOM'S SWEET POTATO PIE
TWIZZLERS