The people behind the culture.
PORTLAND, OREGON · HIP-HOP OPEN MIC
From the crew producing every Late Lyrics show to the partners opening doors for independent artists—meet the people and organizations building something bigger than a stage.
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Shrista Tyree
Founder · Producer · Host
Shrista founded Late Lyrics in 2017 and developed it into a hip-hop-focused open mic in 2018. As the founder of Nexxt Up Entertainment, she continues to produce and host the series, leading its creative direction, artist opportunities, partnerships, and live event experience.
Her background spans stand-up comedy, rap, hosting, and event production. She received Portland Hip Hop Week’s 2020 Trailblazer Award, was nominated for the Portland Mercury’s Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy in 2019, and placed among the top three in Willamette Week’s 2020 Best of Portland comedian poll. She brings her performance experience and commitment to access together to build a welcoming space for independent artists.
2017 · Created Late Lyrics
2018 · Independent hip-hop focus
2020 · Portland Hip Hop Week Trailblazer -
DJ Rappy On The Beat
Resident DJ · PDX Radio Founder
Rappy’s Late Lyrics connection began in 2023, when PDX Radio helped financially support special guest appearances. In 2025, the relationship became an official radio partnership, offering performers music-submission and airplay opportunities. It expanded in 2026 to include priority consideration for New Music Monday’s live song reviews and PDX Radio interviews with every Late Lyrics special guest. Rappy also joined the show as Resident DJ in 2026.
Outside Late Lyrics, he is a musician, producer, radio host, and founder of PDX Radio. His production career began in Northern California under the name Rapture, with credits on Camp Crisis’s 1999 album Brand New Legacy. After moving to Portland, he co-founded Green Thumb Count Money Entertainment and hosted Green Thumb Radio.
His formal music education included guitar, music theory, and music history, culminating in a music degree in 2015 and a DJ/host internship at JAM’N 107.5. He established the production collective Move Makers Music in 2014 and launched PDX Radio in 2020, extending his work connecting independent artists, producers, and listeners.
2023 · Financial sponsor
2025 · Radio partner
2026 · Resident DJ -
Alexander Wright (Casso Dinero)
Graphic Designer · Since November 2018
Alexander Wright, professionally known as Casso Dinero, has designed Late Lyrics flyers since November 2018, helping establish the event’s visual identity.
A recognized designer in Portland hip-hop, his work includes artwork and branding for The Thesis, DJ Klyph, Cool Nutz, TYuS, and other artists and music projects, alongside work associated with Rolling Loud. His creative career has been profiled by Willamette Week and Vortex Music Magazine. In 2024, he received special recognition for his contributions to hip-hop during Portland Hip Hop Week. His work connects Late Lyrics to a broader visual history of the city’s music culture.
2018 · Joined Late Lyrics
Press · Willamette Week + Vortex
2024 · Hip-hop community recognition -
Rigo Morales
Event Photographer · Since 2023
Rigo has documented Late Lyrics since its Kelly’s Olympian era in 2023, when he first volunteered his photography to capture the artists and atmosphere. He became part of the paid event photography team in 2025 and has continued documenting the show as it grows.
His photographs preserve individual performances, backstage and crowd moments, and the community surrounding the stage. When additional coverage was needed in 2026, Rigo recommended fellow photographer—and his brother—Eduardo Morales. His ongoing Late Lyrics photography is an important part of the event’s visual history.
2023 · First photographed Late Lyrics
2025 · Ongoing paid event role
2026 · Helped expand photo team -
Eduardo Morales
Event Photographer · 2023 / Returned 2026
Eduardo first supported Late Lyrics as a volunteer photographer in 2023 during the Kelly’s Olympian era.
He returned in 2026 as the event expanded and needed a second photographer, joining on the recommendation of his brother, longtime team photographer Rigo Morales.
Eduardo captures live performances, audience reactions, and candid details that help artists and the community revisit and share the experience. His return represents the growth of Late Lyrics’ event production and its commitment to more complete visual documentation.
2023 · First contributed photography
2026 · Returned to expanded team
Our Partners & Community
Built for the Culture. Powered by the Community.
Late Lyrics is more than a stage. Through collaborations with radio platforms, recording studios, creative businesses, and community organizations, we connect independent artists with opportunities to perform, develop their craft, and reach new audiences.
From artist interviews and radio exposure to studio sessions, youth performer support, and community giveaways, our partnerships help create opportunities that extend beyond the live event.
Meet the organizations helping make it happen.Media & Radio Partners
Our media and radio partners help Late Lyrics artists reach audiences beyond the stage through airplay, interviews, curated playlists, and music promotion.
Official Radio Partner | Partner Since 2023
PDX Radio
PDX Radio began supporting Late Lyrics in 2023 by helping fund special guest appearances. In 2025, the relationship expanded into an official radio partnership, providing participating artists with airplay opportunities and special guests with radio play and rotation.
In 2026, the partnership expanded to include New Music Monday live song reviews and PDX Radio interviews with every Late Lyrics special guest.
Top Performers receive a New Music Monday feature, while other participating artists can submit music for general station airplay consideration.
Hosted by DJ Klyph, Welcome to the Neighborhood is a longstanding Portland hip-hop radio program celebrating independent artists, music, and culture.
As an official Late Lyrics media partner, DJ Klyph provides interviews with every featured special guest, giving artists an opportunity to share their stories, promote their music, and connect with listeners before taking the Late Lyrics stage.
This collaboration strengthens the connection between Portland’s independent hip-hop community, local radio, and live performance.
Welcome to the Neighborhood | Media & Interview Partner
DJ Klyph
Spin 503 joined Late Lyrics in 2023 as a financial sponsor, helping compensate featured special guests while also supporting the event through radio exposure and promotion.
Since then, Spin 503 has provided general radio airplay opportunities for participating artists, music rotation for Late Lyrics special guests, and promotional support for the event.
The partnership also introduced Late Lyrics Radio, a curated music playlist developed with Spin 503 to highlight artists connected to the event, including special guests, Top Performers, and selected previous performers.
Every Late Lyrics Top Performer receives a feature on Late Lyrics Radio, extending their exposure beyond the live stage.
Together, these opportunities help independent hip-hop artists reach new audiences and build connections throughout Portland’s music community.
Official Radio Partner | Partner Since 2023
spin 503
Community & Creative Partners
Meet our artist development, community, and venue partners.
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Atlantis Lounge, inside Mississippi Pizza, is the North Portland home of Late Lyrics for the 2026 season: live hip-hop, artists, and a community that shows up for the music.
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Led by Nick Bernyk, The Bunker contributes a one-hour recording session to the Late Lyrics Top Performer prize package.
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Mighty provides a selected performer with a complimentary 30-minute artist consultation and song review, offering personal feedback to help artists take the next step.
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Loco Kris and Loco Lounge produce free on-site artist interviews, share the footage, and promote the event across their channels.
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Laced Up PDX helps fund the Youth Performer opportunity and promotes the featured young artist through its community platforms.
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Soufflé provides special guest swag bags, two merchandise prizes for audience raffles, an on-site vendor presence, and promotional support.
Funding Support & Fiscal Sponsor
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Multnomah County Cultural Coalition & Oregon Cultural Trust
Late Lyrics received a 2026 Community Cultural Participation Grant through the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition, with support from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Friends of Noise — 2026 Fiscal Sponsor
Friends of Noise serves as fiscal sponsor for Late Lyrics’ 2026 grant-supported programming. This support helps sustain accessible cultural programming for Portland artists and audiences.
Past Partners & Collaborators
Honoring the people and organizations who helped build Late Lyrics in earlier seasons.
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We recognize Brave and Fortune for helping shape earlier seasons of Late Lyrics through sound, production, photography, DJ services, and studio opportunities.
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We recognize DJ Cold for his years behind the decks and his contributions to the Late Lyrics live experience in earlier seasons.
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We recognize NW Breakout Show for its radio and promotional support of Late Lyrics during 2023–2024.
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Explore MusicPortland’s performer directory and resources for independent musicians.