Gman & Rizk

While I'm hanging around my hometown, I want to send out props to some of the behind-the-scenes folks that keep Van City hip-hop going. Two guys that do not get enough credit for what they do are DJ/promoter/sneaker freaks Gman & Rizk (flick above; photo credit Chris Allen).

Rob Rizk got into hip-hop through b-boy culture (peep him in K-OS's vid for "B-Boy Stance," among others). After a motorcycle accident left him unable to breakdance for a while, he took up DJing. He's known for his eclectic style, spinning everything from hip-hop to soul to afro beat to house.

Gman (a.k.a. Garret Louie) got involved with hip-hop through the skateboarding scene. He went on to found a clothing distribution company, Timebomb Trading, and started throwing hip-hop parties to promote clothing lines. Gman and Rizk joined forces, and for the last fifteen years they have been hosting live shows, promoting hip-hop club nights, and generally helping to grow the scene. They recently opened a dope sneaker spot Livestock with partners Garry Bone and Kenta Kimura.

"Vancouver hip-hop is constantly growing and making new fans and supporters," Rizk says. "You have your underground heads and you have your mainstream heads. You have the old school and the new school. Some want to learn more about the culture of hip-hop and some don't want to, or even know that one exists."

"We need more people contributing to the culture of hip hop," he stresses. "We need more b-boys, artists, DJs, and MC's that are great storytellers and poets that know how to rhyme and are not scared to be different."

"We take a bit here and a bit there, and then create our own laid-back positive vibes," Gman says of the local scene. "It's a pretty mixed bag as far as races go, so people all party under one roof with not too much ego or violence. People love the BC bud so that adds some flavor for a lot of people visiting Vancouver. And aside from all the clubs, parties, clothing, style etc, you can't beat the city's pure natural beauty--the mountains, ocean, and scenery. Not many cities can beat us on that note."