Fresh Nerd | 
09 27th, 2009| 
21 q
uestions with Ritzy
1. What’s your favorite curse word and why?
I curse all day everyday. I’d have to say that the combo of HOLY MUTHA FUCKIN SHIT is my favorite. For me its very versatile, I can use it as both a positive or negative.
2. Do you think Ghost will ever top “Supreme Clientele”?
whoa. That’s for sure a classic. I think it is in a league of its own really. He comes out with bangers and stuff but I think it for him or any artist its hard to recreate a time and environment to top something so amazingly dope from start to finish. You know? I’m sure 10, 20 years from now it will still sound so relevant and on point. I’m excited to hear his next album “Wizard of Poetry in the Emerald City”. Been listening to that one track “Forever”. I love it. Hope the rest is as good.
3. Who is your favorite graf artist?
I don’t have an all time favorite but I have favorites, all for different reasons. A few are Lady Pink, Chaz, Mac, Germs, Werc, Cache.
4. When was the last time you set a personal goal and what was it?
I set personal goals on the daily. The last one was to KEEP HUSTLIN & GRINDIN!
5. What, if anything, do you actively boycott?
Wack shit.
6. What non-essential item do you always carry with you?
If it is on me then I think its essential. It might be non-essential to most but that’s cool.
I always carry a mini retractable measuring tape. Why? Who’s to say but I do.
7. How many sketches do you start per week on average?
Honestly not nearly enough. I really need to up my sketch game. I have some new characters I have to develop and I need to get it out of my head and on to paper soon.
8. Who would you like to chill with for a day (dead or alive)?
Wow a day not lunch? then I’d have to say my mom, Consuelo Rivera Razo, when she was 20. I would love to meet her before she became my mom and was an independent woman on her own hustle and grind. R.I.P.
9. That recurring dream you have, what is it about? Do you dream in color?
The recurring theme in all of them is that I’m being chased or hunted and everyone is suspect. Don’t they say we dream in black and white? Regardless I swear I dream in color. Or do I add color to my memories of my dreams? I have no clue.
10. Would you prefer being the “nerd of the cool crowd” or the “cool one in the nerd crowd”? Why?
I prefer being a Nerd of any crowd, anywhere. I will always be a floater. I’m a nerd and proud of it. Y QUE?
11. When was the last time you spoke to yourself out loud?
HAHHAHAAHAH. That my friend is like cursing. I do that all day everyday. Since I could remember I’ve talked to myself out loud. I spent a lot of time by myself since jump. Me talking out loud to myself drives my man crazy.
12. When was the last time you went a full day without checking your email and why?
I can’t remember must have been when I didn’t have a PDA so at least 4 years ago maybe. I’m sure it was torture.
13. How important is music to your work? Is it a driving force?
Its for sure my driving force. Music fuels my creativity, can calm me down or pump me up, can help me focus or can be a much needed distraction.
14. You must give a lecture on a topic you know nothing about. What topic do you choose?
String Theory. BAZINGA!
15. Do you believe in New World Order conspiracy theories? If yes, do you believe Jay-Z is part of the illuminati?
No and no. I did enjoy reading Dan Brown’s Angel’s and Demons.
16. You get a call. You’ve been informed that you were improperly named. Marisa is going to be expunged from your birth certificate. You’ll need to give them a new name instead that you feel suits you better. What name do you choose?
Ritzy, of course.
17. Any relation to Eric Estrada from the TV show ‘C.H.I.P.S.’ ?
Hijole Madre! Do you know how many times I’ve heard that question since I was born? I got to the point where I just say “yes he’s my tio “ (uncle in Spanish).
18. Midnight Marauders or Low End Theory? Why?
Low End Theory. Why? One word: Scenario.
19. It seems the hardest part of being an artist is having to deal with the business side while keeping your art true to who you are. It seems you’re maintaining that balance that many of us strive for. How did you develop that? Did it come natural?
Why thanks. I’ve been a solorpreneur for a little over 3 years now and I’m still learning how to keep it all balanced. Its hella hard. I’m a hybrid of designer/artist so I think that helps. The concept of it is very natural the execution of it in the real world is the struggle. There’s just not enough time in the day to get it all done. I see why super successful people have a team. I need to learn to release and delegate more.
20. How important is L.A. to your work? Do you feel your work would have the same vibrancy and feel if you were in New York or London?
This town is very important because I have such a love/hate relationship with it. I think my work would definitely be influenced by being in another city. I think where ever I’d go either for 2 weeks or to live, it would maintain a certain vibrancy unless I was in a completely different emotional state.
21. When did you realize that you would be doing art for a living?
Almost 4 years ago when I was at my music industry job and didn’t want to listen to music or go to concerts anymore. It was sucking my soul and my two loves of music and art weren’t the priority so I boned out. It started off with graphic design and the art started picking up organically. That’s when I was like okay, I’ll say it for the first timers, I’m an artist.
Well…..not really. If you read the interview, you’ll understand. I got in contact with Ritzy and put her through the torture and weirdom of my 21 questions. Is weirdom even a word? Anyways, Ritzy is probably one of the most down to earth artists/designers I’ve never met. And as well, one of her favorite albums is Ghostface’s Supreme Clientele…..’nuff said.
