DELISA: Maryland rapper Rico Nasty has made some serious noise in the game with her distinct
voice, bold lyrics, and tenacious attitude that continues to set her apart.
DELISA: When constructing her unique sound, Rico took cues from fellow female artists
like Rihanna and her knack for trendsetting…
As well as 80’s rocker Joan Jett, who established her own voice within a male-dominated genre.
DELISA: She applied that same technique to make a statement with her own voice.
DELISA: Genius covered yelling in hip-hop in the past and for Rico, screaming has been
a bit of an identifier but it also plays a larger role in her music.
DELISA: She centers her yells around the late
Dr. Arthur Janov’s The New Primal Scream which studied how screaming can be an act of therapy.
DELISA: Rico's signature adlibs allow her to open up the track and use her voice as
an emphasizing punch.
DELISA: Other artists have adopted a style similar to Rico’s like newcomer Ashnikko’s "STUPID..."
former adult performer Kapri Styles on IDK’s “Porno,”
as well as Brooke Candy, who enlisted Rico for her track “FMU.”
DELISA: And though she notices a few similarities, Rico’s glad she has the opportunity to create
a lane for other female artists.
DELISA: 2019 has shown the range of Rico Nasty past the yelling that put her on the map.
DELISA: She doubled down on her hip-hop knowledge
and revisited some classics, like how she flipped the Neptunes-produced Noreaga track,
“SuperThug” back in 2018.
DELISA: Rico followed it up with a sample of JAY-Z’s 2003 hit, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”
for her 2019 track, “Hatin.”
DELISA: ‘Anger Management’, her joint project with friend and frequent collaborator
Kenny Beats, presented a polished project resulting in critical praise.
DELISA: The pair started working together
back on tracks like “Countin Up” and “Guap (LaLaLa)” and she says that work has been
instrumental in building her foundation.
DELISA: And though she has kept it consistent with high energy tracks like “Roof,” Rico
continues to reinvent her sound.
DELISA: Tracks like “Time Flies” and “Fashion Week,"
along with features on Grandma’s “Stop and Grind” and Xanman’s
"Gucci Down Remix” have shown growth in her melodies.
DELISA: With her 2019 boasting a range of sounds and influences, it seems we’re just
getting started on what’s to come from Rico Nasty.
DELISA: I’m Delisa with Genius News bringing
you the meaning and the knowledge behind the music.