Rico Nasty is done with her people-pleasing era

There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness. Women especially, are often labelled cocky when they simply know themselves, or are unafraid to talk about their successes. At 28, Rico Nasty has 2.4 million monthly listeners, has landed a role opposite Nicole Kidman in A24’s upcoming Apple TV+ series, and as of tomorrow (May 16), will have three albums under her belt. So yes, she is a “kick-ass girl”, and she doesn’t care if you don’t like her either.

We speak the day after her 28th birthday and she couldn’t be more ready for the next chapter. She’s done with online trolls, she’s done with the pressures of self-promotion, and she’s done trying to make music that’s easily digestible for the wider consumer. Enter Lethal, her 15-track new album that takes us on a chaotic journey between screamo, hyperpop and rap-rock, with a sprinkling of her sugar-trap signatures.

It’s been over a decade since Rico began dropping experimental tracks on SoundCloud; she began self-releasing music in her teens, before signing with Atlantic Records when she was 21 and delivering her debut album Nightmare Vacation two years later in 2020. While Rico has never fit neatly into one genre, Lethal sees her lean more into rock, a direction that coincided with her decision to switch record labels; she’s now signed to Fueled by Ramen, whose other artists include Fall Out Boy and Twenty One Pilots. Her most listened to artists of the moment include The Cranberries, Amyl and the Sniffers and Blair, and though she’s outgrown the pop-punk princess she once was, she’ll never entirely shake the punk within.

On the eve of her album release, Rico speaks to Dazed about her new era, what it’s been like filming A24’s upcoming series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and why she’d like to be this generation’s scream queen.

The new album comes out tomorrow [May 16], how are you feeling?

Rico Nasty: Anxious and excited, but ready.

‘Teethsucker (Yea3x)’ already has over one million views on YouTube!

Rico Nasty: I don’t want to say that I’m shocked in any way, because I’m not shocked, but I am thankful for it. I put a lot of effort into this album, so I’m just happy to see people enjoying it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Is there a particular song you’re most excited for people to hear?

Rico Nasty: I’m really excited for people to hear ‘Pink’ and ‘Smoke Break’ and ‘Smile’. I’m ready to get on Discord and hear the ratings and watch the reviews on YouTube.

Do you pay attention to reviews?

Rico Nasty: I do, there are a few people who film reviews everytime I drop an album – I tune in. There’s nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism. Even if it’s an eyebrow raise to a certain bar, I take a mental note of those things. I don’t read comments, but I do like watching the reviews. I like watching people listen to my music because it makes me feel like we’re in the studio together. Even if they give an opinion I don’t like, I can at least respect that they tried to listen to it.

I saw you posted on Instagram that your ‘people pleasing era is over’, how does the new album play into this?

Rico Nasty: I think that fear of reaction is a cowardly way to live. I was living like that for a little bit. I didn’t know if it was going to be a negative reaction or a positive reaction, so I didn’t do anything at all. That’s been my biggest downfall, being afraid because of how mean I know that they can get online. But before all of this – before there were comments and fans and clout and charts – all I wanted to do was make music. It makes me happy, so that’s what the fuck I’m gonna do. I’m not trying to be liked by everybody, I don’t think any good music is easily digested first take.

When you released your debut album back in 2020, you described yourself as a ‘pop-punk princess’, is this still true? Or has your identity evolved?

Rico Nasty: Having been in the industry for some time now, I don’t think that I’m that at all. I’m just a kick-ass girl who makes kick-ass music. I’m loud, I’m brash and I’m one of one. But I don’t put myself in a genre because I might wake up tomorrow and want to drop some indie-rock shit.

Not only do you jump genres, you’re also switching professions now too. You’re about to star in an A24 series for Apple TV+…

Rico Nasty: Yes, I am a woman of many hats as they say.

How are you feeling about making your acting debut?

Rico Nasty: People ask me ‘What is your ‘I made it’ moment’ and I’m not going to lie, getting this role was that moment. Because that wasn’t just something I got on a whim, I dead-ass had to audition, I read the book, I practised method acting, I dressed as the character I was auditioning to be. I really took it so seriously. Seeing that flourish into what it has, seeing my castmates…my castmates are fucking insane, I’m working with Elle [Fanning], she’s iconic as fuck. Fucking Nicole Kidman, let’s be so fucking for real. These are heavy hitters! I’m loving it. And also being in a position where I can learn again.

Were there any specific things that you learnt from your castmates?

Rico Nasty: I’ve learnt how to keep a straight face, dude. They have really good poker faces. There are moments where you have to look away but you’re looking straight into the camera – Elle does it so well. When it’s my turn I have to step my fucking game up.

I’m not trying to be liked by everybody, I don’t think any good music is easily digested first take

Did you always want to act?

Rico Nasty: It’s funny because in high school we did The Wiz, but I assisted wardrobe, I didn’t have a role. I didn’t audition because I didn’t think I would get it. I don’t give myself the opportunity to be scared anymore.

What would be your dream role?

Rico Nasty: Anything in a horror movie. Anything being a scream queen, I love horror films. I just saw A24’s Opus, that was scary and cool as fuck. I love movies like Blink Twice. I had to watch Sinners the weekend that it came out because I’m a huge fan of Ryan Coogler. Seeing Michael B Jordan playing a twin was insane! But also coming from a church background – I grew up in the church and went to choir every Wednesday – the part when they said that you have to deal with the type of energy that that music brings, that’s something that I’ve heard my mom say. If Ryan Coogler wants to have me in something, I don’t care if I’m pushing a stroller in the background, call me.

There are rumours that Beyoncé might drop a rock album next year. As someone associated with rock music, is that something you’d like to see happen?

Rico Nasty: I think she can do any genre honestly. When you hear a record like ‘Ring The Alarm’, Beyoncé has got a little scream to her. I’d like to see what kind of rock she does. I was excited for Cowboy Carter too, I loved the song with Miley Cyrus – that’s mine and my bestie’s song. I’d love to see her make a screamo record, but I feel like she’s so precious with her vocal chords. Maybe she’ll call me to do a scream. Maybe she’ll be like ‘Rico, we need you’. Love you Beyoncé!

Rico Nasty’s new album Lethal is out May 16.