by Daniella Thompson
photo by Mario Kristian
Somewhere amongst altered reality, rampant rhymes, and incessant rage lies Maryland rapper Rico Nasty. Known for her unique, raspy delivery showcased in her endlessly aggressive tracks, the 23-year-old has swiftly forged her own lane in the industry while simultaneously filling a void of direct, unapologetic rage. 2016’s Sugar Trap mixtape solidified her space in the game and put her name in mouths. Visibly adamant about her creative control, Rico’s appearance evolves about as rapidly as her sound — for which she bears no apologies. With songs titled “Smack a Bitch” and records like 2019’s Anger Management, you may not think this mother of one truly has a soft spot. But she does. Uniting listeners who may have believed they don’t have a space within the culture, she’s inspired marginalized “ragers” from around the globe to utilize her shows as a refuge to be themselves with no regrets.
