“That existential crisis is something you rarely see portrayed by black characters; the idea that people think about their own existence and that they have hopes and dreams is taken away from people of color in their representation.”

American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and filmmaker

Boots Riley is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and filmmaker. He is the lead vocalist of The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club, and is known for his political activism. He made his feature film directorial debut with Sorry to Bother You in 2018, a science fiction dark comedy that he wrote and directed. The film grew out of The Coup’s 2012 album of the same name. He later created and directed the absurdist comedy series I’m a Virgo in 2023, and is also credited with the feature film I Love Boosters in 2026.