Actual Rico Nasty followers know that the rapper hasn’t at all times embodied simply Rico Nasty.
Geared up with two boisterous alter egos, Tacobella and Lure Levigne, named after considered one of her go-to being pregnant cravings and Avril Lavigne, respectively, the 28-year-old has woven the 2 personalities all through nearly all of her discography.
Seated on the sunny aspect of the Hypebeast roof – after turning it into her runway for an effortlessly straightforward shoot of photographs – I ask Rico who precisely is rapping on LETHAL, her third studio album and first venture underneath new label Fueled by Ramen, that doesn’t fairly resemble both of her egos.
“I feel that is Maria,” she says, referring to her beginning title, Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly. “I stepped out of character and into myself.”
Simply forward of her “One Evening Solely” Le Pere efficiency, Rico revealed extra on her most uncooked (and rageful) launch of her profession.
How’s your time in New York Metropolis?
It’s been actually good to date. I filmed a music video on the subway. I haven’t been on the subway since I used to be a child. There was a man on the prepare like, “I do know that lady! What do you do? Are you an influencer? I’ve seen you earlier than!” and his buddy was like, “Yo, that’s Rico Nasty, canine!” I like the New York accent.
Do you want New York Metropolis?
New York Metropolis was like my house. You may solely get so massive in Washington, D.C. New York Metropolis was the place that was like, “Come do exhibits right here!” and the town has proven me nothing however love ever since. I adore it right here.
Nayquan Shuler
How did the concept for LETHAL come about?
I received uninterested in taking sh*t. I received uninterested in mendacity down and letting folks stroll throughout me. I felt like I needed to step into what I used to be rapping. You may have a great coronary heart, however there comes a time if you notice it’s a must to get up for your self. You must be vocal. That’s what LETHAL is.
I’m an solely baby. I’m the oldest lady cousin. I’ve a whole lot of rage that I carry. As a child, I by no means wished to talk up, however not too long ago, I simply awakened and was like, “No, I’m not doing that.” When you’ve got the free will to do one thing in regards to the sh*t you’re going by, then do it. There are such a lot of individuals who have issues they will’t repair. I needed to put myself in a mindset of: “These are points you’ll be able to sort out and also you higher sort out them as a result of there are individuals who would kill to be in your footwear.”
”I received uninterested in taking sh*t. I received uninterested in mendacity down and letting folks stroll throughout me. I felt like I needed to step into what I used to be rapping.”
This album is closely impressed by punk music. Have you ever at all times been drawn to the style?
I’ve at all times been impressed by punk and rage music. However was I in that world rising up? No. I wasn’t going to punk exhibits. I didn’t expertise a mosh pit till I used to be a rapper. I really feel like I don’t usually get to acknowledge the totally different areas I draw from as a result of I sort of simply make the music and go. Folks might be like “Rico, your hyperpop period!” And I’m like “…Yeah! That was a factor. It was cool. I cherished it.”
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
You’ve tapped into so many various genres throughout your discography, starting from hyperpop to techno. How do you resolve what you wish to faucet into?
I actually simply … do. Typically you simply do sh*t since you wish to do it. However there are occasions if you do one thing you suppose is actually good, and another person comes out and does it higher than you. That’s how I really feel about EDM and hyperpop. There are such a lot of artists on the market who’re actually good at it, and it’s simply their factor. I like Dylan Brady. I f*cking love Charli XCX. I like Arca. There are such a lot of folks within the house that I like and respect, and I’m simply gonna depart it as much as them.
In a current interview, you spoke in regards to the label of “rapper” and the way, regardless of many others preferring a time period like “artist,” you favor “rapper.” May you say extra about that?
Rap is what made you do it. Rap is what made you fall in love with it. You’re a rapper. I’m a rapper. Even after I do faucet into different genres like hyperpop or rock, I’m nonetheless approaching them by a rap perspective.
However hey, should you can stroll the stroll and speak the speak, and you’ve got pop hits underneath your belt and also you wish to name your self a “popstar” for per week, then do it. You’re an “artist?” I wish to see you draw.
Nayquan Shuler
The final time I noticed you was if you closed out Elena Velez’s FW25 present. How does vogue play a job on this album? What’s the LETHAL look?
It’s so humorous you say that as a result of I used to be simply desirous about how all of my albums have a sure look. Each has a definite make-up type or some sh*t. Truthfully, this period is me not making an attempt to do something. I wore what I wished to put on. I’d put on what I’m carrying now out with my mates. I’m not making an attempt to be something. That sh*t pigeonholed me for therefore lengthy – being like “I’m so edgy” or “I’m so punk.” It made me really feel self-conscious when folks caught me exterior of these issues. I used to be being myself after I was doing these issues, however it received to a degree the place it began to really feel a bit costume-y. I simply wish to put on an enormous coat and slightly shirt.
”I’m a rapper. Even after I do faucet into different genres like hyperpop or rock, I’m nonetheless approaching them by a rap perspective.”
What are your favorites on LETHAL?
After “PINK,” it simply hits. It goes on a run, I’m not gonna lie. That’s after I’m like, “That is my album.”
What was the primary sentiment that drove the writing of this album?
I wished to say the sh*t I used to be scared to say.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
What’s your writing course of like?
For this album, I ended working at night time. I used to work at night time each single day. I truthfully hate the truth that I’m even telling you this as a result of b*tches is at all times making an attempt to get on the sh*t that I’m on. B*tches don’t get up early sufficient, although. I used to be within the studio by 9 a.m. day-after-day and was out by 3 p.m. so I might get my son from faculty. I handled it prefer it was a job. I awakened, dropped him off, went to the studio, picked him up, and went house. I didn’t overwork myself to the bone.
I felt like if it’s meant to be, it’ll be, and no matter I wanted to say might be stated. If at any level I felt like I wasn’t being intentional, I’d step away. Each music on the report feels intentional in no matter feeling I used to be feeling on the time – weak, pleased, cocky, sexual, regardless of the case possibly. No matter I used to be feeling, I used to be gonna really feel it.”
Had been there any songs that didn’t make the reduce that you’d’ve appreciated to see on the album?
There are literally 4 songs which might be coming to thoughts proper now, however that is just the start. This album looks like a kickstart. I can’t wait to maintain dropping stuff. I can’t wait to work with artists that I’m a fan of once more and get again into what this shit is meant to be, and never what folks stated it wanted to be.
Nayquan Shuler
This album doesn’t sound like TacoBella of Lure Levigne … Who is that this?
Proper. I pulled her out of the again. I feel that is Maria. I stepped out of “character” and into myself.
