Meet Viv Rivera | DJ, curator and host of SpeakerBox X radio show on 99.1 FM Downtown Radio in Tucson, Az

We had the good fortune of connecting with Viv Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Viv, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Healthy habits that lead to success is being able to have a mindset that is determined, persevering, and self-disciplined when dealing with unknown factors. When you have a goal in mind you need to pursue it relentlessly because at the end of the day the choices that you make will determine the outcome of your future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets SpeakerBox X apart from others is that the show focuses on showcasing local and non-local independent, thought-provoking, unconventional, genre-bending, and motivational Hip-Hop that you won’t hear anywhere else. I’m always seeking Hip-Hop that taps into different topics such as existentialism, geopolitics, social justice, social/economical issues, self-determination, psychology, conspiracy theories, history, the drug industry, the food industry, secret societies and the human condition to name a few. The main motivation behind the creation of SpeakerBox X is that it has always seeked to educate, motivate and inspire others through the powerful healing properties of hip-hop in which knowledge becomes wisdom, the beacon, the transmutation that allows us to truly embrace truth and what it means to be a free thinking individual in which you’re an adept and no longer a neophyte. Since the inception of Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop is deep rooted in community building and being socially aware of what’s going on in your world and the world that surrounds you. Hip-Hop means your hip to your hop, meaning you are aware of your thoughts– the ability to self-reflect, in other words consciousness in action according to KRS-One. Being the DJ, Curator and host of SpeakerBox X has not been easy but if you have a dream you need to pursue it relentlessly despite what others think because eventually the levees will break and give way to the weight.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was strolling into town, I would take her to Lady Haha comedy open mic 4 women/LGBTQ/allies at Bumsted’s, Sky Bar, IBTs, Club Congress, Tucson Botanical Gardens, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Sentinal Peak, and Colossal Cave Mountain Park, and Mount Lemmon. There is so much tasty food here in Tucson, I would take my best friend to Guilin Chinese Restaurant, Salad Nation, Saigon Pho, Selenas Salvadorian Restaurant, Crepe N Dip, Cafe Desta Ethopian Restaurant, Mama’s Hawaiian BBQ, BOCA, and Mi Nidito Restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shout out the first individual who gave me the opportunity to make SpeakerBox X a reality 7 years ago on 99.1 FM Downtown Radio (live stream: speakerboxxhiphop.com/downtownradio.org) and this shout out goes out to Jason LeValley. He believed in my ability to deliver thought provoking, fresh, local and non-local unconventional hip-hop. He use to be the director of 99.1 FM Downtown Radio. In addition, he founded and established 99.1 FM Downtown Radio in 2015, Furthermore, I want to thank all of the outstanding artists that I’ve interviewed in the past such as DJ Tony Tone from the legendary hip-hop group called The Cold Crush Brothers, K.A.A.N., Dot Demo, Chuuwee, 84 Faces, Ces Cru, Bodega Bamz, Jaca Zulu, $teezyca$h, Rather Knot, Combine Vibes, Cash Lansky, Luc, Runt from Jivin Scientists and so many others that have impacted SpeakerBox X to elevate in becoming the most popular and well respected radio show in Tucson, Az. Last but not least, I want to thank the Splinter Collective, Mercedez Da Pimp, Lola and everyone who has helped me along the way in helping me become a better version of myself each and everyday and this heavily includes the BoomBat family who tune-in regularly every Sunday to hear SpeakerBox X delivery the goods at 1:00 PM MST on 99.1 FM Downtown Radio or live stream it at www.speakerboxxhiphop.com

Website: www.speakerboxxhiphop.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerboxxhiphop/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/speakerbox_xdtr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakerboxxtucson

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/speakerboxxhiphop

Other: Mixcloud Account: https://www.mixcloud.com/speakerboxxhiphop/

Image Credits
The two photos with the large group were taken by Sabastian Rodriguez. His email is sabrod92@yahoo.com and his IG is sabrod92, He is a photographer and videographer.