Rico Nasty

Pushkin.

Rico Nasty is a genre defying force and contemporary hip hop known for hur rah unapologetic style and fearless experimentation. Rico started releasing mixtapes while still in high school in Maryland, with early tracks like I Carly and Hey Arnold catching

So let's talk Lethal. Yes, I just saw your new video on the low came out today. Yeah, and it's so different. So when I heard the song, I pictured baby pink and like you in like a candy store or something like really sweet and girly. And then I see the video and it's you like twerking in a truck bed in a junk yard, and I'm like, oh, this is different. So how did you come up with a visual? How does that usually come to you?

I just wanted to still keep my grunge, like I think the overall inspiration was like horror movie vibes, like still embodying like this winner type of energy, like Winner ring Leader type of energy. But I feel like I watch a lot of movies, so I'm always like, oh, I want to do that.

This shot is cool, this is fire.

But yeah, shout out to the director on that, because what actually happened is I had sent one treatment and he like broke it up into so many different ideas that like, there's so much more to come. I'm so excited to drop more visuals because everyone's so excited about about this one. Obviously, this one is a lot more different than the last one, and it'll be like that

My authenticity and like the things.

That I enjoy because I feel like I don't really like baby pink stuff.

No, I know, it's it's very much not you. But I felt like this song is a little different.

Yeah, and that's how I felt too. I was like, oh my god, like, well, it could still be a softer side, it could fin inside, but like in my own way, but like, yeah, that song definitely it gives hank, it gives bubbly cutesy yeah, like soft furry.

Yes, oh soft.

So when you say you sent a treatment, what is that? Is that like you writing out what you see in your mind? Is it like different shots? Like what is a treatment?

Yeah?

So a treatment is basically a shot list of everything that you're trying to accomplish in the video. So, you know, some people follow more like mood boards, but I think mood boards kind of like limit creativity because it's too like spot on. Yeah, so the treatment will normally be like references of the way that I want things shot at certain angles and maybe the lighting some of like the b roll shots that I want to get. So yeah, like I use like videos that I like.

Do you remember any references like movies or other videos.

We definitely referenced like some old horror movie films on the coloring, like in the beginning scene with the car, just like the mild saturation but still keeping like those cool tones. That was like something that I've seen like in rob zombie films. So I remember that kind of being a part of like the treatment. Like, so, yeah, it's not always other music videos. Yeah, it's sometimes is like actual films and things that I've just seen and

So I thought about it.

Yeah, like at the shows, like when people who are doing like the marsh pits and stuff, I think it's like there's like a language that could come with it, like the leader of the pit could have, you know, the flag. The person who's coming to the show's ready to function up. You have your flag, and you keep your flag up no matter what.

Do people usually bring flags to the pit.

They bring all types of shit to the pit. It's some stuff I don't even know how the fuck they're getting get into, but yeah, they bring a lot of shit to the pit.

It's so crazy. Like I feel like your shows are the first time I've seen women are just girls in a pit.

Yeah, those earlier days, it was really really crazy watching everybody just like get their shit off their chests.

Yes, we don't really get to do that.

Yeah.

And I feel like there's a misconception about it too, because I feel like people think that it is just people like fucking each other up, but it's actually like such a community it is.

I mean, I feel like there's some there's a sense of like they're kind of like synchronized in some of the pits.

It's not always beating each other up.

Sometimes it's just like having your arms around your friends and you're jumping at the same time and you're just feeling it and it's like twenty of you guys.

That could be a pit. Everyone kind of like.

Just rapping the lyrics and feeling that shit with their whole hearted chest.

And I think like where that comes.

From is just like so much anger having to be repressed on an everyday basis. Like I feel like, unfortunately it's okay for men to lash out, Like you know, it's always been somewhat accepted in a symbol of power for a man to lash out and have no repercussions for their actions, But with women, it's always consequences for our actions. And I just feel like when we were doing that, I feel like it was kind of like we would have people at the shows trying to split

And not care what you look like, get sweaty, like not have your makeup or everything have to be the same as when you walked into a venue, Like it just it's such a release.

Yeah, and I love that part too, because I go through the same thing on the stage, Like I don't look the same when I come out and when I go backstage, like I'm drenched in fucking sweat and we done had a time, and I just, yeah, I love that and I live for that. And that's not pretty. That's not I don't think that's meant to be pretty. And I appreciate that. I appreciate the fact that they allow me that space to spend money on a nice outfit, just getting that, Yeah.

That's incredible. Have you ever wanted to do like a make a major left turn and try a whole different genre or something new for you that would be unexpected, but you're just like, I don't think it's the right time or it's too early or whatever, Like, is there any type of music that is completely different from what you've already put out there?

Hmm? I think like me being you know, the smack a Bitch girl.

I'm very rah And I think that when you think Rico Nasci and you think rock music, it's always been Screamo, It's always been metal, has always been new metal, hip hop metal, It's always been like that sense of like angst and growl with it. But I have two songs on this album that don't have that. It's rock music, though, and it's more so influenced by the rock music that I actually listen to, Like, it's more so influenced by like you know, like beachy rock or like just more a calm, calm side.

Yes, And I see.

I'm like so happy that people are receiving on the load the way that they are because on the low is very girly. You're gonna get like another vulnerable side of me with these rock songs that's very very feminine, very girly, but also very rico. And I'm like really excited for people to hear those because I don't think I don't think people thought I could make a song like that.

Yes, is that?

Do you think you getting into the like the beachy rock or the more mellow side of things, like what you actually listen to? Is that you getting older? Do you think? Is that just where you're at in your life? Like where have you always listened to sort of like more mellow stuff.

Yeah, I've always listened to more mellow stuff really.

Yeah, Like literally my favorite band is like Care for cutie, Like I've always liked the softer the radio heads, the yeah the drums, shout out to the drums because I got to work with him, so like, you know, like I've I really like that side, and I just feel like, you know, my character is so brash coming out the gate swinging that I don't think I got to show that side or showed that I was even interested in showing that side.

So yeah, I'm really like, I'm really excited.

But to say it's like, yeah, I'm growing up, but I also feel like I am pleasing my inner child because.

There's still songs on there.

Son of a Gun, Smoke Bray, There's some songs on there that you just know like these are these are gonna be classic cult Rick on Nasty records that will be played at shows that will get.

The party started.

Like yeah, those are the ones that I'm kind of just like, I'm never gonna stop making those.

I'll always be me.

But there's something that I've done in all my projects. It's like there's there's always been like two or three, three or four that are like hmm, what's this? This is a little bit, this is different, this is cool, and I just like showing people like, yeah, there isn't a limit to music. I'm not just a rapper. I feel like I'm at this point. I'm a real like real deal artist. Where we've been, we've been jumped out

No, like it's still intense. It's a ride. I just want people to yeah, I didn't have fun.

How do you know if something is catchy? Like when you're in the studio and you're recording something, because I feel like the first two singles are so catchy, Like do you have to listen to something a hundred times before you know? Like some part of the song, like whether it's a riff or the hook, something's gonna like embed itself in your mind. Like how do you know? Do you play it out somewhere like.

The kids tell you if it's catchy.

So you put it out online.

I don't even put it out online.

I play it for my son, I send it to my little cousins. I just I rely on younger people.

Are they honest with you always?

Always?

What did they say? If they don't like it?

They just don't respond, super jen z. They just don't respond.

Does it hurt your feelings?

No?

I love it? If you know what's funny?

Like, sometimes I just be wanting, like when I make music, I swear, I just be wanting to like welcome to a random person and be like, can you listen to this real quick enough?

Yes? Like crowd test.

Yeah, I'm not scared of that, Like I'm like, you like this, come here? You look like you go like this, Like I don't really I don't care about that type of stuff.

But yeah, the lot of the kids rely on my friends.

My friends will told me if something is not My friends will tell me halfway through the song if they don't.

Oh, but sometimes you need but sometimes you need to hear a song like eight times before, you know. I always have that experience where I listen to something, I'm like, I don't like this, but then if I hear it enough, you might hear something different, or you might catch on to a lyrics.

I think, and that this could just be my artist take.

I think that those two songs are catchy because the hooks were made before the verses, So normally I feel like that plays a really big part. Spending a lot of time on the hook and hearing it over and over again. And it's not something that I just pulled out of the verse and repeated.

It's like, yes, we worked on it.

We worked on melodies, we worked on bridges, we worked on tweaking shit and different layers. And how can we make especially for teeth sucker, how can we make the vocals and the guitar collaborate in a sense.

And on the low, how can we.

Repeat this hook but not make them get tired of it? And what is it? What's the bounce that we're feeling? How do we vocalize that? And it's like when they were producing the beat and we were doing the writing for the verse, the melody was.

And then it wound up just being used.

On the on the course. So I don't know, I think that that could play a huge part. Actually, it'll take time on the hooks in a kind of like.

Pop way.

Yeah, So what is the hardest part for you, Like, is it it's hard for you to come up with melodies? Is it hard for you to fill in the lyrics. Is it hard for you to think of the overall vision for the song, Like, what's the most difficult part.

The most difficult part, bro, is narrowing down the ideas.

That's wow, Well that's good.

That's a good problem, Yeah, because it just feels like I'd be wanting to talk about everything all at once, and sometimes a song is supposed to be about one thing, soah, handeling and honing in on that one thing, thinking of bars and metaphors and things that have happened in my life to relate to this one thing, and then making it sound cool.

Yeah, that would be hard making it sound cool.

Yeah, that is the hardest part too, making it sound cool, because I feel like I take a lot of risks vocally and sometimes like when I'm rapping, like I don't really I just I stretch words and I do stuff like you know, just just to be funny, and yes, just helped to make it sound I don't know whatever the fuck.

Have you ever thought that something was cool and then someone told you it was corny?

Yeah? For sure, for sure, for sure, And like the whole first five years of my career.

That would be hard because you're like, no, like what if you're pushing a limit and it's something people haven't heard yet. But someone's like closed minded and they don't know.

I know.

I kind of just feel like I've always been a niche thing. I've never considered myself a steak dinner. I'm a very acquired taste. I'm not something you're gonna find at outback steakhouse. Like yeah, I'm not like.

A fucking blooming onion, Like it's not like you know, I'm like fucking what am I? I'm like a like a baja.

Taco like kind like they're really really good fry fish Baja tacos. Like you've got to go to a sneakho exactly. You have to go to a special spot. It's a mom and pop shop. Not everybody knows about it, but it tastes good every time. And I'm okay with that. Like I'm okay with not being McDonald's. I don't want to be McDonald So I definitely like pride myself on being niche and being unliked in some spaces, Like that's totally fine with me.

That's cool. I feel like that takes courage. Like were you like that growing up? Did you care if people like, did you care about fitting in? And did you care about what people thought about you?

I think I cared too much.

I think I cared so much that I cared enough for the rest of my life.

Oh huh.

Yeah. And then once I hit eighteen, I was like, wait, I don't have to care. But then now let's talk about that.

Because being eighteen and getting like a shit ton of money kind of like thrown at you. Yeah, it's kind of hard to decipher what you care and don't care about, and it just kind of comes off as like all over the place.

Okay, wait, so you mean like you can't say no to the money or.

You just don't know what to say no to.

Everything is so new and invigorating and such, so it's like I'm not going to say no.

Why would I say no? And then the older that.

You get, you realize how powerful the word no is and now how much it could have protected you the order that you get. But you are so happy to even be in the space that you're just like, I'm going to say yes, Why would I say no? And yeah, you just get older and realize I could have said no to that, and you just got to like bet On yourself, and I think that's where I am the order that I've gotten.

Like, yeah, we've I just feel like I've really.

Learned how to just trust the decisions that I'm making and just trust like, look, I don't know, I don't know what I'm doing. None of us know exactly what we're doing, but I'm doing it and I'm having a fun time.

And you can save the.

Judgment for like people who genuinely like want feedback, like.

Please like I but I don't know.

We'll be back with more from Rico Nasty and Lea Rose after the break.

So when you were eighteen and you started getting checks and money thrown at you, was it from for shows? Like what was the bulk of the money opportunities coming from.

So I think like I started rapping and then yeah, shows were a huge part, and then I started getting record label offers, and then you go.

Into publishing deals. Then you're going.

Into like you're just like entering big money conversations, like conversations that it's like, let's take a second, let's.

Read this over. I need a lawyer. Yeah, And I.

Think like, yeah, when I signed when I signed a deal, I was nineteen, and yeah, having that much money so young, is like, I'm so blessed to be here today because I think at one point everything in my life was so excessive. I couldn't just do something in a small way. It was so brand I had to spend so much money. And it's like.

I don't know, like I don't know if that's just being young, because like being young, like I was like a flexoholic.

I love carrying big wad of cash and obvious seeing the kids do it now and I'm.

I feel like you're good with your money though. I saw you talking. It was an interview a while ago, and you were saying like it seemed like you were good with.

Oh saving, so good at my money. Now, so good at my money.

And you were talking about being a minimalist. That's what it.

Was, yes, because I feel like I became like an over consumer just just buying things, buying things because of the way people like, you know, just falling into the I think it was during COVID really falling into the ads. Oh my god, oh oh my god, I have to have this. I'm gone this so easy, and then.

You look and you're like, what is this stuff? Why do I have?

It's a problem.

What is this? This is?

This is stuff doesn't even I mean I started really really taking the time to like buy things that I actually like. Now does that mean that I have a closet the size of this studio?

Of course not. My closet is super small.

But everything in there I wear, and everything in there I love, and everything in there is something I'm going to have four years.

I love.

Being selective pays off eventually, because in five years, I'm going to have a closet that it's like, this is still the things that I like and it's not a trendy s way.

This is what I'm curious about with pop artists that you observe from where you're at now, Artists that you've seen go through different album cycles, different looks, but obviously feel like they're trying to cater to the masses. Does that like do you feel sorry for them knowing that they're probably an artist too, Like they want to be going a different direction, but they don't have the freedom

No, I can just read it. It's just like you can tell when stuff isn't genuine. Yeah, you can tell, especially if you're like a fan of somebody and you've been following them and then all of a sudden, they're just like, what.

The hell when did you start doing that? Okay, but you know what I think.

I think that I look at it from a point of view of like, damn, this is probably what they wanted to do, because I don't think it could go both ways.

And that's why the music industry.

Is so scary because in a lot of cases, the bigger you get, the more power and artistic control you have. It's like we trust in this person's vision. But I think that comes with how much you've spoken up for yourself leading up to this moment, that you've become somewhat of a machine for the labels, Like if you have not developed your voice at that time, then yes, you can be used as a pawn, and yes you can

And that's what you really wanted to do.

So I can't really look at it and be like on no hater shit, like, oh, that's not really them. Because it very much could be them, that very much could be where they always wanted to be. And I think a lot of times, like with artists, it's always it's always I think, but that's the art. That's the art is conversation, and it's I think that's the beauty in it is wanting to know did they do this with intention?

Did they not?

Did they mean to speak to my soul in this way? Like it's you know, that's what music is about.

Who's somebody who's been around for like ten plus years who you're like, Okay, I like how they did it?

Huh, that's such a good question. That is such a good question.

Like somebody who you really admire, you feel like its a true artist and has a real stake in it.

I feel that way about Huh.

I have, like I I don't know, I have one person that I'm thinking about in particular that I feel like I don't want to say their name. I think it'll do too much for their ego. I think it'll do way too much for their ego. It is a girl though. It is a girl though, But watching her has shown me that anything is possible, and watching her has shown me that I mean and this is not a new artist, this is yet this is somebody that I watched, like I watched when I was younger, when I was in high school.

I watched and I seeing the shit that they were on.

And I've seen them get like be like underrated, and I seen and always knew how good they really were and kind of just always felt like, why they're not getting recognition as everybody else. We did do a song together, and yeah, just watching them, it's kind of both. It's both, and that's the thing that sucks about being an artist. It's like feeling like you want that to be you, but you push those emotions to the side because you

I'm not gonna say that, you know, I'm not gonna see them.

And I do feel like, what's actually like in the days recently, it feels like they'd be trying to like

Who's acting on them?

Though they'll go to somebody else and there's you know, there's nothing, there's nothing wrong with that. It's like an idea of clouds. But I yeah, and I think, yeah, you're pretty you know how I'm talking.

Yeah, no, I know, but so okay, so with the idea. So I know that he talks about ideas sort of being in the ether. Yes, and like an idea can strike more than one person, or it can strike a bunch of people at the same time in different.

Parts of the world, does it? Yeah?

Yes? So do you where do you feel like your ideas come from? Do you feel like they come from like a higher power? Did they come just from you? Do they come from your experiences? Like where did these ideas in your mind? Come from.

I think they come from film movies, like movies that I've watched in ways that I would like to be portrayed if I was in a movie.

Oh, Like I kind of look at like little videos like that.

I've always loved scary movies, and I feel like I like things that are weird and quirky and you just don't really know where this is going, and like, yeah, you know the Napoleon Dynamites, the KNA random you know, fear and loading in Las Vegas, Like yeah, Mallorie, like natural born killers, Like you just never know what's going to happen. That's the type of shit that I like. And I feel like that that's like, you know, represented

But when did you start getting into weird ship? Like when did you know, like, oh, I might be into stuff that maybe my friends aren't into.

I was probably like when Tyler the Creator came out. Okay, yeah, how old were you thirteen. Uh huh, I hate that roach And everybody was.

Like, hell, oh my god, what do you want to listen it is?

And I had like the shirt, the socks, the backpack, like I was a fan. I was a fan And yeah, that's when I knew that I was a little bit off and I would just do I would do a lot of weird stuff when I was a kid. So like what like if it was a boy that I really liked, like I would like bite him.

I was just like that type of kid, like Maria, I got.

In trouble today for biting someone. And it's like the boy that I had a crush on. My mom is like, why the fuck would you bite him? Like I've always just been weird?

Like is your mom in the weird shit? Like is there anyone in your family who is?

Both of my parents are wead as fuck?

Both of my parents are weird ass fuck Like I don't even there's nothing normal about either one of them. My dad is weird. He's a left brain person. He's like fully creative, very very like, loves to just always be doing something. He can't sit down for his to save his life.

My mother is like that lady. She has a wild imagination.

My mom has a wild imagination, and she will think of a scenario quick quick.

She'd be like, you know, you know what happened to Somer Sol.

I'm like, girl, is she usually right? Or is it like left field?

No, my mom's my mom is kind of like me where she's like she be. It's like the way she says stuff is wrong, but what she's saying it is right as fuck.

Like yeah, like she might say something really like why would you say that?

But actually when you break.

It down, I'm like, damn, I wish I wish I had the boss to say that.

I think that comes with age though, like she just doesn't you know, it's so funny.

I feel like a lot of people will relate to this, but like, does anybody have a parent who just don't give a fuck about getting canceled?

Like they just they be saying, like a different generation.

It's a different like yeah, you guys that are like like guys people that are like.

Fifty right now, they're the book like they don't give a fuck. I don't give a fuck. It's so true. It's kind of insane because I feel like we like, are you know we care?

Yes, certain things, and y'all just be like y'all, damn sissy.

We want boundaries. We want everyone to feel that we want Yeah.

Yeah, but I've learned that me and my mom are actually very similar. We're very very similar, just generations of art.

Yes, how was it for you? I imagine that since your experience as a young adult and as an adult with work was so different than your parents, Like, how are you able to figure out what to do? Like did you have like a like role model since your life was so different?

My dad helped me in the beginning stages to get a lawyer, okay, and help me with nothing else. It'd be like all I know is that you need And I remember that that was that was. I mean, the fact of the matter is I don't have anybody that really truly understands. My parents don't fully understand the capacity of Like they understand what I've done with my life, and they love and respect my career, but they asked me all the time, like how the fuck the jew pool is all?

Are they still like you need to get another job or do they feel confident that you can like support yourself?

Oh yeah, no, my mom is always telling me to get another job.

And you need that though, because yet out to my mom, because my mom was like, yeah, this rap shit is doing great, You're doing amazing. What else do you want to do with yourself? Because the doors are all opened around you. You can't just walk down this one path forever. And then acting came in Yes show, and even being on set for that has shown me what a real job is like.

Because wait, tell me about that. So you're gonna be in what's it's called? What's it called?

Margo's Got Money Troubles?

I love that?

Yes, and it's a book, so a he wants to know, like what show is about?

Because I can't. I can't say too much.

But oh, it's like about russ OnlyFans. Oh it's a lot though, and it's good. It's like somewhat of a heavy topic. Make wait, little freaky stuff here and there.

Who knows.

Has it been a good experience?

Yeah, it's been amazing.

And everybody on set is just so sweet, full of energy and makes you feel so comfortable and it's like before you know it, the shit just flies by.

But it is very different from being a rapper. I mean, you know, are you a good actor? I would say so shit, I mean to pull like Apple TV A twenty four.

Yes, no, I know.

I think I'm pretty fucking good.

Anything A twenty four is good.

Yeah, And I we had to do like a lot of auditions and stuff like oh you did or anybody watching. It's not like I just oh, I'm really going nasty, give me the roll. I had to like actually audition and like go to callbacks. It's like, you know, really do it, and they don't give me special treatment.

On set. I have to be there at six a m. Just like body O, what are the days like? Long but fun and every I don't know.

It's like, you know, they got the fake light in you know, in those Hollywood stuios they have like the fake lighting and shit like that. So it doesn't ever

One last break and we back with Rego Nasty.

So how do you now that the venues are getting bigger?

Like?

How big? When you go out on tour for Lethal, how big will the venues be?

Ah bigger bigger than the last time.

And it's not to say that I'm doing fucking arenas or anything, but it is.

It's a different space.

It must be so cool just to see the crowds grow and change, like from your first, like your first or your second round of shows. How has the audience changed?

Oh my gosh, Well I was doing like sweet sixteens and stuff, so oh were you really? Yeah?

I did like a lot of Sweet sixteens and I did high school.

Like what was I doing? Like pep rallies and shit?

Like I'm like, I don't even have a microphone?

Okay, how did you know what to do on stage?

You know, it's kind of.

Like the same thing that happens on set for a music video where kind of just is like a like a blur, like I really don't know what I'm doing when I'm doing it.

I just know, like.

I just know that when it's done, I'll know when it's good. But like when I'm doing it, I kind of feel like you just have to get into character a little bit, and that sometimes requires like zoning out.

So I feel like, yeah, in a sense, I like.

When I'm on stage, are about to go on stage, it's like I get super quiet and then it's kind.

Of like, Okay, it's good time.

And I think when I'm getting quiet, I'm kind of just like praying for courage, because I think that's all that is, just courage to like ignore perception for an hour, because that's that's like scary, like getting up there and people are perceiving you and they can think whatever they want to think. That can be scary. I think that's what causes people that have stage fright. But I think like once I pray to like remove that and kind of like blind me from perception for just an hour.

I don't need it all day.

I'm sure people are going to give their comments, but just for an hour, you just get up there and it's just like a playground, Like the world is your oyster. Like you're fiting off of them, they're feeding off of you, and before you know it, it's three songs left and fly back home.

Yeah, So is.

It perception so sort of like judgment, like you don't want to feel judgment from the crowd. Is that what you mean by perception?

Yeah, like judgment or just like I wouldn't say judgment because they're damn sure or not, they're they're not judging me. It's like this feeling of like who they think I am, you know, like the screaming, the chanting, the like the hype that I can hear backstage before I go on stage. I feel like and that that's like perception in a way because they think that I'm whatever the hell they think, and I'm literally just a girl. I'm literally just gonna

That's it.

Like I don't really try to fit into like oh, well they think that I'm going to be like this, so let me come out there and be like this, like it's not. I just am like they probably think I'm going to be like this, but this is who I am. I'm going to be who I am. I'm going to make jokes, I'm gonna take breaks in between the song. I'm going to drink my water.

I'm going to.

Yeah, that's interesting. So when you go to start a new project, do you how do you deal with that perception and do you feel like that has influenced the way that you shape a new project.

I feel like worrying about perception and what people know me as can it can pigeonhole you.

They've been saying that I like that word, and that kind of my felt.

Like making work and comparing it to my last and well, should I keep doing this because this is what they this is what they know and love and kind of like finding finding yourself and finding your voice through all that. So yeah, yeah, I think it's like a double edged sword, Like, yes, I want to care. I want to appeal to the fans that I already have, the fans that I've built.

I love y'all. I want to make an album for you guys.

But what about all the stuff that I've learned and what about the stuff that I like now, like why can't I share that? And that's where your voice comes in, cause it's like you can. There is nothing wrong with waking up and wanting to try something different, And me, of all people, I feel like I'm very blessed to have the fans that I have because they've never like, they've never nonchalanted my different shit. Like when I was doing hyper Pop, they liked it. When I was doing

This is great.

Yeah, that's good to have that, to have that confidence to move forward how you want to move. This is something I was curious about after watching a couple of documentaries about you. Most of them were like early on in your career, some like the Fader doc with you on the Road. It's such a different lifestyle than most people are used to living. Was there anything in your early life or anything that prepared you for that lifestyle change.

Yeah, my parents divorce.

Maybe like having to stay at somebody's house every weekend. Maybe like having like you know, my suitcase, my designated days.

Maybe that help. I don't know boarding school I went to.

Yeah, when did you go to board What age were you when you went to boarding school? Yeah?

I went to boarding school from the sixth grade to the ninth grade, So I don't know how old I was in the sixth grade properly, like twelve.

How did that come about? Like white boarding school?

My mom had seen my grades like significantly drop, but I was very smart, and everybody knew that I was smart. They just knew I wasn't trying because I just wasn't trying. And then my mom had got like a paper in the mail for like a school named the Seed School and.

A lottery and like all this stuff.

My mom filled it out. We went to orientation, we went to a lottery. They picked my number. It was forty girls, forty boys. It's like one of those new school startups, so it's not like an established Like I don't want people to get it confused, Like my mom paid for me to go to boarding school.

This was a free college prep boarding school.

It was wow, like uniforms and everything everything.

My mom didn't pay a dime. We did not have money to do shit like that. So I remember it being just like everybody in my family was like, bro, this is a crazy opportunity.

I can't believe it got in.

So this is like the first part of my life where I said yes to something when I didn't really want to, but I saw how it made everybody else react, so I was like, I.

Gotta do it. During this time too, I was very artistic, like I love drawing, I love painting, I love doodling and shit like that. But I also was like playing soccer real good.

So like my mom was like, are you gonna start to school and you're gonna play soccer? So I'm playing soccer and I'm hating it. Like the hours, like I was at school all day, get out, have lunch or snack or whatever, study hall, and then you go to like soccer practice, and then you go back to the dorms, you have dinner. It's like very it's like so grown up, very grown up. And I was doing that from six

I think it was that.

I think it was like traveling on that campus at that young and then I got expelled from that school because.

I didn't want to be there.

Yeah, so on purpose, did you like make it happen, like formulate a plan?

Ah, this is so crazy to say. I didn't like formulate a plan, but I did do something. I actually went as far as going to the principal and telling him I'm like or her.

I don't remember who.

It was at the time, because it was like a vice principal, real principle, like a whole little board. And I remember telling them that I wanted to go study a public school so that I could see the real difference between the two. Oh, and they said, yeah, so they sent me to my zone school, Flowers, this is my next. They sent me to my zone school. And I get there and man, like, they had drama, they had soccer, they had lacrosse, they had volleyball, they had

Wow, How funny is that?

What year is that?

That is two thousand and eleven, twenty eleven, twenty twelve.

Wow, and then the mixtape was like two years later.

Your first tape was yeah, two thousand and thirteen.

Do you think you would have been able to do a mixtape at the prep school? Now?

There wasn't any Like it was an up and coming school, so there really wasn't any programs. Like when I was there from sixth to eighth grade, I had an art teacher. Her name was Miss Labonte, and I was like making art and we were selling it at the end of the year and like art shows and like she was

So once she left, it was kind of just like I don't want to do this.

Yeah that makes sense.

Yeah, that just goes to show how important teachers are because she was.

I mean.

Both art teachers at that school and the school I ended up with Charles Erbert Flowers, my art teacher, mister Hobbes. I don't think I would have got through high school if it wasn't for mister Hobbs. Like he was a safe space, like yeah, go in there, draw and it like it didn't have to be your period, it didn't have to be like he knew when people needed to come in there and just like.

Just chill.

Yeah we had that. Yeah, we had that at my school with a photo teacher, Miss Fanel, And there would always be kids, like kids that kind of like didn't fit in would go just hang out in her classroom.

Yes, Like I just would be in there.

And if I didn't have a space like that, like I feel like I would have gotten in so much trouble and just been like skipping and I probably wouldn't have graduated, like not have an outlet.

Yeah, so did your mom?

So after you got kicked out of the school and you started doing music, did your mom think like, oh, like, was your mom worried about how you were gonna turn out?

I hit it for my mom.

The only reason my mom knew that I made a mixtape is because I got in trouble at I as bad as shit.

I got in trouble at school for not going to school.

For no. I got a phone call home from a teacher because I skipped her class in particular, for like two weeks straight.

I just didn't go.

Because her class was after lunch, and I would leave at lunch to go make a song, and then I would come back from my fourth period and.

Then I would go home.

So, no, girl, I'm not about to go to your class like you teaching me how to type on a keyboard.

Why do I have to go to your class. I don't know how to type on this keyboard faster than you. Yeah, we're up on this keyboard. I know like the back of my hand. Why do I have to be in there? So yeah. She called my mom and my mom was like, what in your what have you been doing? I told her.

I was like, yep, I was making a mixtape and what she doing? You didn't give a damn by no mixtape. She punished me. She was like, you're on punishment. I'm like in the middle of my rollout, but she's gonna take my phone in the middle of my rollout.

Oh no, I am. She didn't take my phone, but I was on punishment.

I couldn't do anything, but like I was on Twitter promoting the shit out that project.

How did your Instagram? Like, when was the first time that you're in you saw your like followers jump?

Oh that's so, that's such a good question. It was like gradual. I don't know, No, I remember.

You didn't have like a one day you woke up like where you maybe released something, and then you.

Had like I was watching it the whole time, just move a little by little, yeah, like but it was like when my first two songs drop Hay Arnold and not Carly and then fucking lo Yati had hopped on Hey Arnold, and I remember just like I mean, even with my SoundCloud, I remember just sitting by the computer refreshing it and watching it go up by the thousands.

I remember watching my followers go up by.

The k's like it'd be like, yeah, one point two point three point.

Was watching it go up and go up, and now I'm not gonna lie.

My followers have been going down for like five years, like losing so many followers. But I kind of just be like, I don't know, like I just I don't pay attention to that shit anymore as much as I used to. I used to be like, like I didn't like my team had to tell me that teeth Sucker

Yes, so okay, so you said that your mom is always telling you that you need to get like a side job or whatever, which you know that's debatable, But what would you do, like if you had to do something more straight, what would it be?

I would probably like go to school to like understand how to produce like leather goods.

Oh, I know that's pretty random, but produce leather goods.

Yeah, like like leather boots and jackets.

Leather jackets, wow, so like actually craft them.

Yeah? I really love leather boots.

And if anybody like it is familiar with like my boot game, Like I love boots, And something that I see myself doing when I get older is actually like taking the time and and just you know, developing a.

Boot that is not what I thought you were gonna say. I thought you're gonna say, produce music.

No.

No, For when I get older, I want to do something that's like lucrative, very lucrative, very like oh shit, she does that, Like I don't want to be I don't want to be fucking torking on stage.

What's the cutoff?

What age is it? Oh?

You have three years?

No? No, no, the cutoff?

Bro, there is no cutoff because watching Air Cuba don career. Yeah, watching Bro, watching a lot of the women in music, like they make their careers last as long as they want them to. And so I don't really think there is a limit on anything. I just know, like, Bro, I just don't. I can't see myself torn at forty, Like I feel like I'm gonna be so picky.

But what if it was private jet, like it was made very easy for you.

I'm glad I get and I can do it maybe twenty more years.

Because I feel like the older you get, like you know you have to make certain changes.

I don't know though, because when those look girl, when you start taking a private jet, that means you're probably doing two shows in a day.

So it's like there's reward.

Right, It's not free. It's not free.

No going so yeah, I don't know, but our computer is about to die.

Okay, thank you so much for doing this. I appreciate you so much. Thank you for talking.

Thank you.

An episode description, you'll find a link to a playlist of our favorite Rico Nasty tracks. You can see the video version of this interview and others on YouTube at YouTube dot com slash Broken Record Podcast, and be sure to follow us on Instagram at the Broken Record Pod. You can follow us on Twitter at broken Record. Broken Record is produced and edited by Leah Rose, with marketing help from Eric Sandler and Jordan McMillan. Our engineer is