bust it out | Femdelic
- Funk
- Boogie
- Experimental
Riz Maslen, aka Neotropic, has been pushing the boundaries of electronic music for decades. She helped lay the foundations of trip hop and carved out new paths for the genre. A true pioneer, Riz started in London’s underground electronic scene, collaborating with names like Future Sound of London and 4hero, and even making appearances on Top of the Pops. After leaving the Beloved, she built her own home studio and began crafting the sounds that established her as a key figure in experimental electronic music.
By 1995, she’d signed to Ninja Tune’s sister label, Ntone, as Neotropic while also joining Oxygen Music Works in New York under the alias Small Fish With Spine. Her debut album, 15 Levels of Magnification, shifted the scene and solidified her status as a force to be reckoned within the music world.
Maslen agreed to chat with us about her journey, sharing the inspirations that drive her and the struggles she’s faced as a woman in the still male-dominated music industry. She shares insights for gender minorities navigating their musical paths and opens up her perspective on the global injustices we face today.
Can you help Riz?
Sadly, Riz faces a shocking £58,000 repair bill for her home, a legacy from her late mother. As an artist working full-time for a charity, she can’t afford this burden and needs your support to stay in her home.
Please consider donating or sharing her story. Every little bit helps!