A Walk Down Memory Lane with RIch Medina

Rich and I have about a 20 year history together. As friends first but over the years we've strengthened our working relationship by doing various parties together like Tastytreats, Jump n' Funk, HOME, Lil' Ricky's Rib Shack, most recently, The Roots Picnic Afterparty and many more.  I've also held his door down for him at APT in NYC for his event, Lil' Ricky's Rib Shack for a while but only after many years of coming as a fan.

I think part of why I've always loved Lil' Ricky's/APT so much is because of it's parallel vibe to Tastytreats/Fluid. It was special. It's longevity spanned more than a decade, weekly. It's unapologetic freedom of not having to play top 40 music all night. Neither venue really had a "sign". It was the kind of place that if you knew, you knew! 

I asked Rich a few questions about what the party, the venue and it's legacy is all about. Check it out below. Then check us out this Friday, June 29th, for our 5th Friday residency at Silk City in Philadelphia. We teamed up to bring Lil' Ricky's Rib Shack to Philly. You can find Rich spinning a 4 hour set and me on the dance floor.

Flygirrl: Tell the folks what Lil Ricky's Rib Shack is all about.
Rich: LiL Ricky’s Rib Shack is all about open minded music appreciation and providing the dance community with a space to celebrate their relationship with the DJ, other dancers, and the remainder of the club community. 

F: APT. What did that venue mean to you?
RM: APT means a hell of a lot to me because despite having been a working DJ in NYC for years prior, LRRS was the DJ residency that gave me my own weekly platform and changed my career forever. 

F: How did Lil' Ricky's Rib Shack effect New York nightlife?
RM: We were a bit of an oasis in the desert to a degree. There were of course many clubs that were alive and well in NYC at the time, but none had APT’s decorum from design to management to the talent that was booked there on a daily basis for 10 years. 

F: Who was your favorite guest DJ at Lil' Ricky's Rib Shack?
RM: Shit...that’s a tough one...there were so many incredible moments there...but I would have to say the night Yasiin Bey and Q-Tip came and both freestyled impromptu for a good 45 minutes and then Q-Tip joined me on the wheels for the night, unplanned. It was spontaneous, electric, and definitely a night to remember for many people. 

F: What are 5 songs in your rotation at the moment?
RM: 
​Thundercat - Oh Sheeeit it’s X
Black Thought - TeoFifteen
Moody Man - Pitch Black City Reunion
Nas - Cop Shot The Kid
Josh Milan - Thinking About Your Body