Rising from New Jersey with Ecuadorian roots, Riovaz is a twenty-two-year-old artist, part of a new wave that refuses to sit still, carving out a space of his own in the music industry. His sound moves effortlessly between rap, pop, drum & bass, and alt-rock, something instinctive rather than calculated, driven by feeling over formula. What began as a bunch of bedroom recordings has already grown into global impact, with tracks like Prom Night proving his ability to turn raw emotion into generational anthems. Now, he enters a new phase with Bleed Belief, a single produced by Frankie Scoca that leans into vulnerability, honesty, and emotion while still carrying his signature energy.
You’re a twenty-two-year-old Ecuadorian American artist from New Jersey and one of the voices redefining what ‘multi-genre’ means today. Do you feel like that label fits you, or do you try to avoid labels altogether?
Yeah, I’d definitely say I’m in that category, but it’s honestly just based on how I’m feeling in that era. I don’t choose to make everything; it kind of just unfolds itself.
You started making music at a really young age. Was there a specific moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?
I feel like there isn’t a specific age because ever since I was born, I’ve known I wanted to do this. I’d say I started seeing my manifestations come to life at thirteen, which is what motivated me to continue.
You’ve recently dropped Bleed Belief. What does this track mean to you in this chapter of your life?
This track means everything to the next chapter of my life. I made it at a time where I thought I had no answers or destination. So, I’d say it spawned at the right time and sparked the fire for my next EP.
Going back to your beginnings in the music industry, Prom Night was very big, with over two hundred million streams. Did you expect that kind of impact when you released it?
Nah, I had no idea, especially when I made it. I literally shelved that song for so long. It’s kind of interesting how the things you least expect to have life are usually the things that’ll change your life.
“Being on stage is like a blackout moment for me. I don’t remember anything that happens once I get off stage. It’s a real high.”
On your Instagram and Spotify bios you have written “follow the northstar”. What does that mean to you personally and creatively?
Follow The Northstar is something I feel like everyone can relate to in their own ways. Everyone goes through the period of not knowing where they’re going or where the destination will be. It’s all about the journey of finding home, and home can be anything, whether it’s finally bagging your crush or getting that job you always wanted.
Whether you like it or not, you’re part of a generation of artists who grew through TikTok and the internet. What’s your relationship with these platforms, and how has it impacted your music?
I owe the internet my life, genuinely. It’s given me things I thought were impossible and taught me a lot about myself. Especially during COVID, it’s shaped the person I am today and the music I make.
If we checked your For You page today, what would the algorithm tell us about yourself?
That I’m fried lol.
Your music moves across rap, pop, drum & bass, and electronic while also tapping into alt rock and emo. Is there a core sound that you feel defines you?
Yeah, and I feel like the core sound lies in my vocals. It’s a very Pierce the Veil & Dance Gavin Dance-ish style that I grew up listening to, and to mix that with the glitchiness of my production is the perfect combination, in my opinion.
A lot of your songs touch on heartbreak and vulnerability. In Better Late Than Forever, you include a voice message from a past relationship. How much of your personal life do you share through music?
Oh, I share everything. More specifically, with the song My Youth on that project. I was a senior in high school when I wrote that, and I started feeling the youthfulness in my life finally making an exit.
You’ve collaborated with artists like Chris Lake and Knock2. Who would you like to work with next?
Ninajirachi for sureeee.
You now produce your new music. How has that changed the way you create and express yourself?
It’s a whole new world. I feel like I’m seeing things musically in such a different way just from building the songs from scratch. Shoutout Ableton.
Michael Jackson was your childhood idol. Are you excited for the upcoming biopic?
Hell yeah, it’s about time they made a movie on him. I’m about to be locked in the whole time.
“Hearing hundreds of people scream back the lyrics I wrote in my bedroom to me is probably the craziest feeling ever. That shit never gets old.”
Also, bands like Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins have influenced your voice. Who inspires you the most right now?
No lie, I have been listening to hella Loukeman right now. Sd-1 & Sd-2 are on repeat all the time.
With all this early fame, do you ever deal with imposter syndrome?
Oh yeah, all the time! It’s such a weird thing to go through. I be swearing I’m not HIM sometimes, but everyone goes through it; it’s chill.
If you could see your name on a festival lineup this year, which one would it be?
I’d love to do Lollapalooza again; that was probably one of my favourite moments, but I NEED to be doing Coachella, so yeah, hopefully that.
How do you experience being on stage?
Being on stage is like a blackout moment for me. I don’t remember anything that happens once I get off stage. It’s a real high.
Do you have any pre-show rituals before going out?
There’s this metal vocal coach named Melissa Cross, and she has this vocal warm-up video that my team and I ALL do before every show. Other than that, I’ll just take a shot of tequila or something.
A lot of artists say hearing fans sing their songs back to them is one of the best feelings. Do you feel the same way?
Of courseeee! Hearing hundreds of people scream back the lyrics I wrote in my bedroom to me is probably the craziest feeling ever. That shit never gets old.
