DJ Billo performing at a Colors show // Photo by Mark Serrano
If you’re a fan of electronic music, you might want to shift your focus from mainstream names like John Summit to something utterly unique coming out of Kansas City. Enter Colors, a vibrant collective of local parties that celebrate a melange of music genres like Balkan pop, gqom, and more—sonic experience you won’t find just anywhere.
The Birth of Colors
Richard Ortiz, a respiratory therapist by day and DJ RiTZ by night, launched Colors in May 2025. His inspiration struck after he stumbled upon an electronic cumbia set on YouTube, where he was enthralled by the rhythmic intricacies. “The rest was total serendipity,” he recalls. With the help of his friend SirQueen, who played a cumbia set in Ortiz’s weekly livestream, the idea blossomed into the live parties that Colors has become.
Redefining Representation
Colors has since grown into more than just a party; it embodies a mission. Ortiz’s aim is to marry DJ culture with diverse music genres, aiming for representation in a predominantly male field. Every event actively includes a queer performer, and Ortiz ensures there’s never an all-male lineup.
The Dynamic Heart: DJ Billo
One of the standout artists spearheading Colors is DJ Billo, whose work as an organizer reflects her deep-seated values. Firmly rooted in her South Kansas City upbringing, Billo expresses her desire for music to encompass cultural sincerity. This means crafting spaces that allow people to feel connected through diverse sounds.
Billo’s performances resonate with personal narratives. For instance, driven by her connections to the Iranian and South Asian communities, she incorporates music that might evoke nostalgia and connection for many. “I never thought I’d hear that song in Kansas City at a club,” said a friend after a set, echoing the kind of visceral community engagement Billo aims to cultivate.
The Vibrancy of Localuva
Meet Localuva, another artist flourishing within Colors. Growing up in a Dominican household, she was surrounded by genres like reggaeton, bachata, and merengue. Her journey into DJing began just last year when she felt the urge to create the music she wanted to hear. Localuva emphasizes community in her sets, often collaborating with artists across disciplines, highlighting their work in her events.
“I think Kansas City is a great scene for building engagement and community,” she said, reflecting on the collaborative spirit that fuels Colors. The events she hosts aim not just to entertain but to uplift the community, as evidenced in fundraisers she’s organized for local immigrant rights.
The Revolutionary Spirit of LOV3
LOV3, who plays a dynamic alternative electronic set, emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in her music. Her journey began during her time at the University of Kansas where she recognized a lack of diversity in nightlife. That sparked a determination in her to bring a broader range of sounds to the dance floor.
As a Colors performer, she has created spaces that challenge societal norms, like an “anti-surveillance” party and an event tailored for queer women of color. “If you can rebel against judgment in a social space, that in itself is revolutionary,” she asserts. Her vision makes the dance floor a canvas for resistance, joy, and community.
Nightlife’s Current Pulse
Colors represents a new pulse within the Kansas City nightlife—an intriguing counter-vision to commercialized party culture. That shift comes amidst local discussions about how venues can better foster community engagement. Local artists and DJs often face the challenge of sustaining audiences while also expressing unique identities, and Ortiz’s mission with Colors seeks to address that.
As Ortiz explains, “We operate at a significantly high cost,” highlighting the financial barriers often faced in nurturing a vibrant scene. Until now, Colors has managed to maintain breaking even, but Ortiz’s dream is to turn this into a more sustainable endeavor, one that can continue to push the creative boundaries of local electronic music.
The Moving Forward of Colors
With Color’s growth comes partnerships that highlight its ascension. For example, its upcoming party sessions aim to attract not just local music advocates but large crowds by collaborating with notable acts, solidifying the connection between underground scenes and mainstream exposure.
Colors’ approach positions it as a trendsetter in reshaping nightlife—a space where enjoyment merges with deep cultural connections. The inclusive atmosphere they’ve cultivated is essential not just for entertainment, but also for resisting the transactional nature of many modern nightlife experiences.
The excitement surrounding these events is palpable as Ortiz notes, “The people that come aren’t here to look good or for the status; they’re here to enjoy the music and let loose.”
In the Ethos of Community and Change
Colors isn’t merely a music series; it’s part of a broader conversation about community, representation, and resistance. As artists like Billo, Localuva, and LOV3 continue to create and innovate, they are engaging in a rich tapestry of sounds that reflect their histories, identities, and aspirations. Their success demonstrates that when creativity is driven by passion and community, it can indeed bring about transformative change. The larger bands and corporations might have more publicity, but within the intimate confines of Colors, a genuine movement is unfolding, one beat at a time.
