By Jack M. Angelo, Senior Content Producer
Women have had an intergral role in Hip-Hop since its inception, yet every few years, Hip-Hop publications seem to claim that women are taking over the game. First it was Salt-N-Pepa and MC Lyte, then Lil Kim and Lauryn Hill, then Trina and Eve. More recently it has been Nicki Minaj and now Cardi B. Hip-Hop journalism has had an issue with propping up more than one female rapper at a time without pitting them against each other. Women in Hip-Hop are always portrayed as trying to cut each other down, regardless of the often-contradictory reality.
With the invention of the Internet, great female rappers are easy to find now. The women in rap have just as much variety and talent as the men, and every niche is covered across the entire gender spectrum. Looking for a conscious, jazzy, soulful lyricist? Try Noname or Rapsody. What about a sexy hardcore feel? There’s CupcakKe and Asian Doll. Young pop rappers? Kodie Shane and Bhad Bhabie. LGBT women like Big Freeida have even gotten a huge boost thanks to being sampled in huge summer hits this year; while artists like The Internet’s Syd and Snow Tha Product also carry the banner for LGBT emcees. However, if you are looking for a nasty attitude, sharp personality, and a distinct lack of fuck-giving in your feminine rap, look no further than Maryland’s own Rico Nasty.
Rico Nasty made a name for herself a couple years ago with Sugar Trap, and blew up with her single “iCarly,” from her following project. Since then Rico has changed her style significantly, and her most recent project, Nasty boasts numerous bangers with hard rock and even metal influences by way of the brilliant production of Kenny Beats. This bad attitude has translated into a ravenous fan base for Rico Nasty, who has become a cult of personality all her own.
Rico is currently on tour supporting her Nasty project, and made her way up the East Coast through early August. After her apparently hectic homecoming in DC the evening before, Rico performed at the Fillmore in Philadelphia on August 2, to a full room of hundreds. Little time was wasted in getting her on stage, where the crowd bounced and yelled along with the artist for the full duration of her set.
Rico Nasty exudes every bit of attitude during her performance as she does on her new album. Though her sharp lyrics and mean punch lines remain intact, there is a clear joy in Rico Nasty when she performs that can’t help but endear the audience even further to her cult of personality. There is plenty to love about Rico Nasty, from the forward-thinking production she jumps on to her irresistible persona, she is one of many females to watch in Hip-Hop this decade.
These incredible photos from Rico Nasty’s performance at the Fillmore, in Philadelphia, PA, on August 2, 2018, were taken by StayUp.News senior content producer and photographer Jack M. Angelo:
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