rico nasty is our rage queen

At just 21-years-old, Rico Nasty is on track to becoming one of the most sought after female artists in Rap/Hip-Hop. Making waves on the scene with her series of mixtapes including Tales of Tacobella and Sugar Trap 2 which feature viral hit, “Poppin’”, the DMV native known for her show-stopping, inventive looks and animated yet brash delivery bares it all in her latest EP, Anger Management. Serving the perfect follow-up to her sixth EP Nasty after signing to Atlantic Records last June, Nasty proves why she’s the punk girl of our dreams.

Anger Management is the equivalent of striking a match and dropping it on a floor covered with gasoline. You know it’s dangerous but you can’t help but watch the flames rise from the scene. The moderate track list which includes nine songs boasts guest spots from up-and-coming, Texas-born rapper Splurge who found success with “BackWoods” and reserves a feature for Dreamville’s own EarthGang, comprised of rappers Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot.

With some assistance from Harry Fraud and Bauuer, Kenny Beats is responsible for the production on the project which compliments Rico’s signature sound effortlessly. Dubbed as the “perfect team” by fans, the kismet chemistry Kenny and Rico share is felt throughout the entire project down to the repetitive “Kenny” tag immersed on most of her singles.

Opening the mixtape with “Cold”, Rico Nasty’s voice is larger than life as she poetically scream-raps throughout the bouncy anthem. Matching that same energy on “Cheat Code”, the rappers flow shows off her versatility and knack for witty punchlines as she speeds through his verses with the utmost precision. When “Hatin’” begins, the instrumental is sure to captivate anyone that appreciates the genius that is veteran producer Timbaland. Lightly sampling “Dirt Off My Shoulder” featured on Jay-Z’s 2003, The Black Album, Rico puts her own playful spin on the classic record. “If ya feeling like a boss bitch, gon’ / go to the club, leave that ni**a at home.”

“Big Titties” featuring ATL’s EarthGang follow the fun direction of the album with production reminiscent of the early 2000’s. Equipped with roaring instruments and quirky sounds, the rappers flex melodic rhymes in this potential summer hit. Switching it up with a game show-esque skit on “Nasty World”, “Relative” is up next which features the most somber beat on the project. Detailing her newfound superstardom, Nasty aims her grievances with people claiming her after her rise.

In the latter half of the album, “Mood” is one of the highlights on Anger Management that’s sure to rack up some streams. Rico and rapper Splurge go bar for bar as they feed off each other’s braggadocious energy. “Stackin’ my weight, they be stuck to my waist (Ha) / Stick to the money, I’m still gettin’ paid.” On “Sell Out”, the rapper speaks directly to the title of the project Anger Management. Rapping furiously over a multidimensional beat, Rico lets it all out on the therapeutic song. “The expression of anger is a form of rejuvenation / I’m screaming inside of my head in hopes that I’m easing the pain / Memories in my brain, thinkin’ I’m going insane.” Perhaps one of the most personable songs on the album, the rappers vulnerability shows off her powerful persona that fans relate to.

Towards the end of the song, a computerized voice says: “Do you feel better now? / Good / You’re welcome / This has been course one of Rico Nasty’s anger management semin-…” After being abruptly cut off, it leads into the last track on the project titled, “Again”. Diverting from the hard-hitting, bass-heavy instrumentals included throughout the EP, the following is a commercial hit waiting to happen. Rico switches it up and lays down her vocals, singing sweetly on the entirety of the track. “But I did it all on my own, ya dig? / Might take a few steps, feel like I’m taking back sips / I just woke up to a check, ya dig? / Lemme take a deep breath, I ain’t going broke again.”

Anger Management solidifies why Rico Nasty is what the Rap games been missing. With every album, the artist proves why she’s the unconventional female rapper the industry needs. Like Kelis and Missy Elliott, Nasty has been able to craft a distinct lane that stays true to her origins. While Trap is the most popular sub-genre in Rap at the moment, instead of being drowned out by the beat, she uses it to compliment her own individualistic voice without sounding like everybody else.

Rico is edgy, she’s different and she’s unapologetic about the way she carries herself. She’s the beloved, slick lipped chick who will run up on you if need be and won’t apologize for it either. Anger Management is just a glimpse of what she can do and what’s to come.