Evolution of a Rockstar: Rico Nasty
The first Rico Nasty song I heard was "Key Lime OG" off her 2017 mixtape "Sugar Trap 2." This was when xxxtentacion, Ski Mask, the slump god, and Juice WRLD became popular. That SoundCloud rapper era. Sugartrap 2 was experimental, cute, and basically what I was already listening to, but it was as if it was specially designed for me. It was Candy-coated Trap; she couldn't have devised a better name to describe it. What really cemented my love for her music was the 2019 mixtape she made with Kenny Beats, "Anger Management." It's aggressive, it's in your face, and it's raw. There is not a single bad song on that mixtape. Before this, Rico's cadence always had a screamo-flare, but this was the mark of a shift in her sound.
Anger Management marked the shift, and then Nightmare Vacation Fully documents it, being her debut studio album released in 2020 under Atlantic Records and her Sugartrap label. The Project had 15 tracks and Features from Don Toliver, Gucci Mane, Trippie Redd, and many more. It's a good album and perfectly highlights Rico's versatility, giving u a good mix of her classic style, a more commercial sound, and a far more experimental sound. Produced by 100 Gecs, "IPHONE" is the 3rd track on the Project and was introduced to fans through a live Instagram post. In a genius interview, Rico says she didn't expect her fans to love it how much they did, but it was her favorite song to make. Rico worked with 100 Gecs before featuring on the duos' Remix of "Ringtone," released earlier in the year. Rico has been blending her inspirations into her music since the beginning of her career. This is shown in the 2022 Mixtape "Las Ruinas."
Previous projects have an unspoken connection, from the 2017 mixtape "Tacobella" to "Anger management." You could listen to those and hear the progress. Las Ruinas is the most experimental project comparatively, even going out of her way to label the project a mixtape. With the help of Fred Again, 18YOMAN, Ben10k, MXXWLL, and plenty more, in 17 Tracks, Rico explores EDM, Hyperpop, and just the world of electronic sound in general. It's safe to say she likes the freedom that comes along with the soundscape because the tracks off her newest EP, HARDC0RE DR3AMZ, sound like they were made from a similar place. Although it leans a lot more into the Euro-pop, 2000s sound with its use of Synths and bass, we should now know the rapper isn't going for one exact sound or genre. It only has three tracks and is being made with Boys Noize, the EP Channels that "Rave" sound that the star tracks of Las Ruinas have. The EP couldn't have come at a better time, and we can't wait to hear what else she has in store for us.
