BUKU Artist Spotlight: GRiZ

BUKU Music & Arts Festival is back with another stellar lineup this year, and GRiZ is joining the talent with his jazzy-electronic vibes. Grant Richard Kwiecinski, better known by his stage name GRiZ, is a unique gem in the electronic music world. Playing the saxophone and bringing strong jazz and reggae elements into electronic music, his art is vibrant, uplifting, and definitely fits perfectly with the style of New Orleans. Not only is he an incredibly talented producer and musician, but the messages his music carries are so powerful. GRiZ identifies as gay, and a major theme of his music is bringing hope, love, and spreading important messages representing marginalized communities. In a world of hate, and especially with today’s political climate, his art is all the more necessary, and he really embodies art as a form of resistance and resilience. His latest song, “A New Day” has received lots of positive feedback as a glimmering anthem of hope and change. The music video that was recently released for the song features real people who have lost loved ones to gun violence, aiming to highlight the need for stricter gun regulations.

GRiZ grew up in Michigan, and attended college there until dropping out to pursue music. After playing house parties and working on his own music, he began to gain the attention of the big names in EDM and began opening for artists like Bassnectar and Pretty Lights. He has an extensive and diverse discography out now, but his album Good Will Prevail is a personal favorite and is sure to bring some light and positivity into even the darkest of days. After hitting success in his early years, GRiZ created his own label, All Good Records, to promote his music and those of other artists on the outskirts of conventional genres. All Good Records is a label that “reps old school Motown soul, future funk, new disco, cutting edge electronica, and anything on the forefront of new sound.” With a plethora of unique collaborations, jazz and reggae influenced sound, and a beautifully uplifting style, GRiZ is like a ray of sunshine and really embodies the PLUR (peace, love, unity, respect) rave culture perfectly.

BUKU Music & Arts Festival, being a safe space for all people to enjoy music and express themselves, is the perfect place to see GRiZ play one of his incredible sets. There’s no better way to kick off spring and festival season with an incredible weekend of music and art in the vibrant city of New Orleans. You won’t want to miss GRiZ and his jazzy blend of hip-hop and EDM at BUKU Festival in the heart of NOLA, he will be taking the stage on Saturday, March 23rd at 6:15 at the Power Plant stage alongside other amazing talent like A$AP Rocky, Dog Blood, Louis the Child and more. Click here to check out the full lineup, and snag your passes here before they sell out.