<\/p>\n
Omg you’re in for a treat today, we’re so lucky to interview viral LGBTQ+ group RiVERSE<\/strong> here at Scene HQ<\/strong>! <\/p>\n Meet RiVERSE, your new favourite critically acclaimed pop music group hailing from Canada<\/strong> composed of four super talented and gorgeous members; Justice<\/strong> (formerly known as Dizz<\/strong>), Khadija<\/strong>, Zak<\/strong> and Monroe<\/strong>. <\/p>\n As a dynamic collective of queer, BIPOC and plus size artists, RiVERSE has earned international praise for their unapologetic artistry and bold social advocacy and earning nearly one MILLION followers across social platforms, RiVERSE continues to champion causes ranging from self love to social equity; empowering their fans worldwide through their mission to “represent the underrepresented”. <\/p>\n Best known for their amazing hit single BaeBeeBoo <\/em>taken from their celebrated sophomore album, Poison \/V<\/em>, RiVERSE is now set to take centre stage with their brand new EP Humanity In Volume<\/em>, a powerful new project that confronts HIV stigma, celebrates resilience and redefines what it means to live and thrive in your truth.<\/p>\n In this interview, RiVERSE discuss the importance of queer and BIPOC representation in music, as well as how the group’s founder Justice’s recent HIV diagnosis informed, changed and inspired Humanity In Volume<\/em> which is on all streaming platforms now and was released on December 1st in solidarity with World Aids Day. Let’s dive in head first!<\/p>\n JUSTICE: Hi! We are all good good!<\/p>\n MONROE: I’m actually currently under the weather but my spirits are high because our EP is officially out!<\/p>\n JUSTICE: Okay! What\u2019s up ladies & gentlemen and genders. We are RiVERSE.<\/p>\n KHADIJA: We are a pop slash R&B group with a mission to represent the underrepresented. We have members of different backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, body types, life experiences\u2026<\/p>\n JUSTICE: And hair colours.<\/p>\n KHADIJA: Yes and hair colours. Haha. Our mission is to show people that you can be your full, authentic self, love yourself unapologetically, and you can live your best life. <\/p>\n JUSTICE: RiVERSE was my brainchild. The vision was to put together a group that the world hadn\u2019t seen before. Sonically, the goal was to always pull from the iconic, legendary eras of music, especially the 90s and early 2000s since that was what we loved growing up.<\/p>\n JUSTICE: My HIV journey was the blueprint for this EP. It was the catalyst that allowed me to lay out the story structure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, this EP is about more than just my HIV story, it\u2019s also about any challenge that a human being can face in life. This is simply about humanity. <\/p>\n MONROE: First of all, thank you so much for that. I think that\u2019s very sweet. And I am doing so much better now. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Honestly, I think RiVERSE is flourishing now because in some weird universe way we all have gone through some kind of hardships or hills to have climbed over in our years together and it\u2019s like my chess piece was the last one to be placed on the board. <\/p>\n While I was getting treatment and going through my recovery, we all took time to rest and heal through some of our struggles in our own ways. And now we\u2019ve created this wonderful album called Humanity In Volume <\/em>which speaks on how humans can go through things in life. So, in that sense, I think we are flourishing by being our authentic selves and putting all of that into the music so much more than ever before.<\/p>\n On a personal note, I just try to remind myself how strong, resilient and powerful I am and I\u2019ve been placed here on this earth for a reason. I will never let my voice go to waste. <\/p>\n ZAK: I would say my focus on fitness and my journey with bodybuilding has been a byproduct of my sobriety. First things first, I had to get sober and learn to be honest with myself and love the person I am. Then I could start refining and crafting the external shell that holds that person. Through determination and more healthy choices, I realised I could do things I never thought I could accomplish before. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fitness has a positive impact on my mental health and it\u2019s a big part of my self care regimen and it also allows me to show up for RiVERSE ready to bring my physical body into the space, feel confident, ready to move or dance or just just be fully present in a way that feels like an outward reflection of that internal self love I have now.<\/p>\n KHADIJA: Lovin\u2019 Me Down <\/em>is a song about the feeling of fully loving yourself on the other side of a difficult internal struggle. It\u2019s exactly what Zak just described of being able to really love himself and be so joyfully present in his life now, not despite his struggles with substance abuse but BECAUSE of everything he\u2019s learned through that journey. <\/p>\nDALEYPOP: Hey guys! How are you all doing? \ud83d\ude42<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: For readers who haven\u2019t yet discovered RiVERSE, give us the grand intro: can you introduce yourselves and what\u2019s your sound all about?<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: Where did the name RiVERSE come from?<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: Justice, your new EP Humanity In Volume<\/em> just released on December 1st for World AIDS Day. How did your recent HIV diagnosis change and inspire the music?<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: Monroe, your 2022 thyroid cancer diagnosis nearly cost you your voice. How has the group flourished since your recovery and how has that journey shaped your artistry today? I hope you’re ok now.<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: Zak, you recently celebrated 7 years sober, and I\u2019d heard you\u2019ve credited fitness and bodybuilding as a big part of your mental health and sobriety journey. Can you share how taking care of your physical health has affected your mental health as well as your role in RiVERSE?<\/h3>\n
DALEYPOP: Khadija, what can you tell us about your recent single and music video for, Lovin\u2019 Me Down<\/em>? What kinds of conversations do you want to spark through this project?<\/h3>\n