DJ Kay Rich is one of B95’s newest on-air personalities. Kay Rich started his career with B95, taking over the Home Grown Show (B95’s radio that showcases local artists), and has recently replaced Young Jizzo as the weekly night-time DJ; you can hear him on-air from Monday through Friday from 7-12pm.Kay Rich is unique in that he is not originally from the Central Valley, but pours all of his energy into making local artist’s music heard.

When asked what brought Kay Rich to Fresno his response was interesting, “I came to Fresno [in 2005] to attend Fresno State and walked on to the football team…I was injured in 2006 and transferred my energies into DJing. I entered the B95 Mixer Idol and came in second place. I later was called back to join the B95 mixer squad on the weekends.” Okay, but why hip-hop? “The art of expression through Hip-Hop is what attracted me to the genre. I love the message, more so when I started than now, of the struggle from rags to riches. The art of story-telling over the beat is beyond intriguing.”

Kay Rich doesn’t care only about him when it comes to music. Kay Rich is the founder of Cen Cal Everything, a local production company that specializes in getting Central California artist’s music heard. With artists like Fashawn and L!Z, Kay Rich has been able to put the Central Valley on the music map. “This area is not a major music market, such as the Bay or LA. I feel that this area does, however, have talent that can match and surpass these other markets, but there has not been an outlet to showcase Central California talent…with Cen Cal Everything, and the Home Grown Show that opportunity is now here.”

Kay Rich has also partnered with Young Jizzo and B95 to ensure that Central California youth are being represented well. The two personalities have started the “Bullies Are Whack” campaign, the DJ’s go around to local high schools encouraging the students to pledge to not bully their peers, in return the students are rewarded with B95 incentives.

It is obvious that DJ Kay Rich is a valuable asset to our local community. From showcasing the talents of local artists who would otherwise not have the opportunity, and focusing on the Central Valley’s youth, DJ Kay Rich is bettering our community via hip-hop music.

-Michele Darchuck

Nov. 2012