Boots Riley

Who is Boots Riley?

Raymond Lawrence Riley, better known by his stage name Boots Riley, is an American poet, rapper, songwriter, producer, screenwriter, humorist, political organizer, community activist, lecturer, and public speaker- best known as the lead vocalist of The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club. Riley is known for his energetic, charismatic, "punk"-like presence on-stage, combined with dancing. As a vocalist, he is known to display a wide range of cadence, vocal tone, and texture- sometimes taking on a fictional character's accent.

Boots Riley's work is known for its heartfelt, humorous, witty, optimistic lyrics with stylistically literary leanings. Some of his songs are very detailed and visually descriptive, earning him accolades as a story teller.

Most of his works, although often about a subjective experience, are tied to a radical class analysis of the current system and or situation. Some of his songs call for the overthrow of the ruling class by the working class.

Riley is the only known musical artist whose surveillance by intelligence agents has been exposed due to Wikileaks documents.

Boots Riley identifies as a communist.