Introduction
Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly (born May 7, 1997), known professionally as Rico Nasty, is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer. Kelly began her music career at the end of high school with the release of her first mixtape Summer's Eve, and later followed by 2016 mixtapes, The Rico Story and Sugar Trap.
In June 2018, Kelly signed to Atlantic Records after releasing her sixth mixtape, Nasty.
Early life
Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly was born an only child in Washington D.C., to a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father. Kelly was raised in Prince George's County, Maryland and was exposed to rap music at a very young age from father who was a rapper. She grew up listening to artists like Bob Marley, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Nas, and Jill Scott.
At age eleven, she and her mother moved to the Palmer Park area of Maryland. When she was in the sixth grade, Kelly's parents enrolled her in a Baltimore boarding school. That same year, her parents divorced. Kelly was expelled from the boarding school after she and another student were caught with marijuana. She then attended public school and began making music.
Career
Kelly started rapping in high school, and released her first mixtape, Summer's Eve, when she was in eleventh grade. After graduating from high school, she started focusing on her music career and released two mixtapes in 2016: The Rico Story and Sugar Trap. Both tapes gained her notable attention from the media and the general public. Kelly also released the single "Hey Arnold," which was later remixed featuring Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty.
In June 2017, Kelly released her single "Poppin'" which quickly garnered over 7 million views on YouTube. The single was also featured on the HBO television series Insecure. Kelly's 5th mixtape Sugar Trap 2 featured the single as well as Kelly’s other popular single "Key Lime OG".Rolling Stone listed Sugar Trap 2 as one of 2017's best Rap Albums.
In June 2018, Kelly signed to Atlantic Records and released her fourth mixtape, Nasty.
In December 2018, she released a track titled "Guap (LaLaLa)" and in January 2019 she released "Roof".
In February 2019, Rico’s single "Sandy" as well as the documentary "Countin' Up" were released.
In April 2019, Rico and producer Kenny Beats released a mixtape called "Anger Management", which received positive reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
Personal life
At age 18, Kelly gave birth to her first and only child, a son named Cameron. The child's father, Brandon, died of an asthma attack. She pays homage to him on the song, "Brandon".
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Nightmare Vacation |
|
Mixtapes
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Summer's Eve |
|
| The Rico Story |
|
| Sugar Trap |
|
| Tales of Tacobella |
|
| Sugar Trap 2 |
|
| Nasty |
|
| Anger Management |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Gleetchie" (with Niles) |
Summer's Eve |
| "Yella" (with Willz) | ||
| 2015 | "Chickens" | |
| 2016 | "iCarly" | The Rico Story |
| "Friendzone" | ||
| "Hey Arnold (Remix)" (with Lil Yachty) |
Sugar Trap | |
| "Choppa In The Trunk" (with Tino Loud, Chelly The MC, WillThaRapper) | ||
| 2017 | "Block List" | Tales of Tacobella |
| "Watch Me" | ||
| "Poppin" | Sugar Trap 2 | |
| "Key Lime OG" | ||
| "Rojo" | ||
| 2018 | "Smack a Bitch" | Non-album singles |
| "Party Goin Dumb" | ||
| "Hit That" | ||
| "Big Dick Energy" | ||
| "Wanna Do" | ||
| "Guap (LaLaLa)" | ||
| "Trust Issues" | Nasty | |
| "Ice Cream" | ||
| "Rage" | ||
| "Countin' Up" | ||
| 2019 | "Big Titties” (with Kenny Beats featuring Baauer and EarthGang) |
Anger Management |
| "Roof" | To be determined | |
| "Sandy" | ||
| "Time Flies" | ||
| "Fashion Week" | ||
| "Hard" | ||
| 2020 | "IDGAF” | |
| "Lightning" | ||
| "Popstar" |
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Cash Hoe" (Baby Ahk featuring Rico Nasty) |
Play |
| "Touch Me" (Maya Milan featuring Rico Nasty) |
11:11 Reloaded | |
| 2017 | "With Me" (3ohblack featuring Rico Nasty) |
Leggin or Nah 4 |
| "Time" (Chubby Chuck featuring Rico Nasty) |
Never Forget | |
| 2018 | "Suite Life" (DJ ClockWork featuring Rico Nasty, Kairose, Deshon Taylor) |
Backroom |
| "Barbie" (Big Mechoo featuring Fat Trel, Rico Nasty) |
They Callin' Me Mechoo | |
| "Up Front" (Niqo featuring Rico Nasty) |
If I Could | |
| "No Reason" (Yunggt3z featuring Big Tee, Rico Nasty) |
Non-album singles | |
| "Coolin" (Barz da Lyricist featuring Rico Nasty) | ||
| "S.I.C.K" (Dana featuring Rico Nasty) | ||
| "Excuse Me" (Swisha C featuring Rico Nasty) | ||
| "Forever" (GainesFM featuring Rico Nasty) |
Death of Fame | |
| 2019 | "Love Is Like A Moshpit" (Duckwrth featuring Rico Nasty and Medasin) |
The Falling Man |
| "Mutumbo" (10k.Caash featuring Rico Nasty) |
The Creator |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Taxes" | 2016 | Bali Baby | Brazy Bali |
| "Whatcha Say" | |||
| "Bestfriend" | 2017 | Dame | Life of Dame 2 |
| "Rick and Morty" | 2018 | LIL PHAG, Dr. Woke | God Hates Lil Phag |
| "ROCK$TAR FAMOU$" | Lil Aaron | ROCK$TAR FAMOU$ | |
| "Jawbreaker" | 2019 | Injury Reserve, Pro Teens | Injury Reserve |
| "Clowns" | Aja | BOX Office | |
| "Tia Tamera" | Doja Cat | Amala | |
| "Butt Naked" | ASAP Ferg | Floor Seats | |
| "FMU" | Brooke Candy | Sexorcism | |
| "Lighthouse" | Take A Daytrip, Slowthai, IceColdBishop | TBA | |
| "Girl Crush" | 2020 | Boys Noize | |
| "Ringtone (Remix)" | 100 Gecs, Charli XCX, Kero Kero Bonito | 1000 gecs & The Tree of Clues | |
| "Ankles" | Jessie Reyez, Melii | Before Love Came to Kill Us (Deluxe) | |
| "495" | IDK, YungManny, Big Flock, Big Jam, Weensey | TBA |
Concert tours
Headlining
- The Sugar Trap Tour (2017)
- The Nasty Tour (2018)
Supporting
- Coachella (2019)