Fuck the Police: Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Why You Should Protest the Cops, Too

By Victoria Ruiz | June 1, 2020

Fuck the Police: Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Why You Should Protest the Cops, Too

Revisiting Ruiz’s 2017 essay on how, if we’re to protest Donald Trump, we must also protest one of his biggest supporters: the police.

Introducing: “Follow”

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | November 9, 2017

Introducing: “Follow”

A new music video from and interview with Zenizen.

The Success of 4:44

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | July 26, 2017

The Success of 4:44

"Jay-Z sees building generational wealth—which seems to mean more than money—as his legacy of black excellence."

The Health of the Music Industry

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | June 21, 2017

The Health of the Music Industry

Discussions with artists about insurance, the Affordable Care Act, and the proposed Republican plan’s potential impact on their lives and work.

Connecting Those Diaspora Dots: An Interview With Swet Shop Boys’ Heems

Music

May 10, 2017

Connecting Those Diaspora Dots: An Interview With Swet Shop Boys’ Heems

"This is not about me being from New York or Riz being from the UK. This is about a global feeling, influence, and connection."

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Kendrick Lamar’s Necessary Power

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | April 20, 2017

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Kendrick Lamar’s Necessary Power

In the face of white supremacy, DAMN. demands respect.

Fuck the Police: Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Why You Should Protest the Cops This Weekend, Too

Voices

By Victoria Ruiz | January 20, 2017

Fuck the Police: Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) on Why You Should Protest the Cops This Weekend, Too

When you’re marching against Trump on Saturday, remember who helped him win the presidency.

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Trans FX’s Into The Blu

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | November 3, 2015

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Trans FX’s Into The Blu

Shoegaze isn’t a good enough description for what Trans FX does. It's a post-punk sound with a velvety cosmic Instagram filter over it.

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Sublime With Rome’s Sirens

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | September 8, 2015

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Sublime With Rome’s Sirens

On the band's new album, Sublime with Rome contends with the for-midable legacy of its predecessor, Sublime. Guess who wins.

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Shamir’s Ratchet

Music

By Victoria Ruiz | May 22, 2015

Victoria Ruiz (Downtown Boys) Talks Shamir’s Ratchet

Shamir's debut album describes what it's like to be a young, black, smart artist in cities that have been turned into playgrounds for the rich.

Victoria Ruiz

@DowntownBoys

Talks