Rich Medina has carved a unique niche in global music culture as a DJ, producer, poet, and journalist. Born in Lakewood, New Jersey, and raised in Philadelphia, Medina developed a love for music through his family’s record collection, eventually launching his own DJ career in the early 1990s. Medina’s sonic palette weaves together house, hip hop, Afrobeat, soul, and rare groove, earning him residencies at iconic venues such as New York’s APT, Santos Party House, and the legendary club Giant Step.

He is widely celebrated for his influential parties such as Jump N’ Funk, the United States’ longest-running Afrobeat dance party, paying homage to the legacy of Fela Kuti. Over the years, Rich Medina has shared stages with musical luminaries like Jill Scott, Q-Tip, The Roots, and J Dilla. As a producer, he collaborated with artists like Jill Scott and Jneiro Jarel and released acclaimed solo projects like *Connect the Dots* and *Body Rock*.

Medina is also known for his poetic wordplay, frequently merging his spoken word with soundscapes during live performances. Aside from DJing and producing, Medina is a dedicated educator and archivist, lecturing on music history, DJ culture, and the social impact of Black music at institutions like Cornell University and the Lincoln Center. His vintage vinyl collection is internationally renowned, tying into his broader advocacy for cultural preservation.

Respected both for his deep musical knowledge and for his ability to move crowds worldwide, Rich Medina remains a vital force in contemporary music—continually bridging genres, generations, and communities through the power of sound.