COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — When emerging artists sign to major record labels, many fear that they’ll lose their uniqueness, trading in their DIY grit for a slick, PR-friendly image. Prince George’s County-raised Rico Nasty inked a deal with Atlantic Records last year. But she is showing no signs of changing. For anyone.
Rico Nasty, or Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly has, from the beginning, been unapologetically herself. She will dress how she wants, wear her hair how she wants, and say what she wants.
Check out some of her head-turning looks.
Since focusing on music after graduating high school in 2016, her music has blown up. Her single “Poppin’” was featured on the HBO hit show “Insecure.”
View this post on InstagramOUTFITSICK I SHLD BE WALK-IN W A TISSUE ??? Pants @skoot_apparel ? #insecurefest
She’s grabbing the attention of people in the rap scene.
A$AP Rocky says Young M.A and Rico Nasty are some of the illest female rappers outhttps://t.co/uL3aTnnxUu
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) January 17, 2019
And this spring, she’ll be taking her talents to the desert for Coachella.
COACHELLA pic.twitter.com/FOjoXRmi9B
— TACOBELLA (@Rico_nastyy) January 3, 2019
Just take a peek at any of her social media or interviews and you’ll quickly realize she’s not afraid to speak her mind. And with her first major label album release, the buzz is only continuing to grow.
From having a child at age 18 to signing a major record deal at 21, one thing’s clear: Rico Nasty is here to stay, and she’s going to wear her hair however she likes.
Check out some of Rico Nasty’s work below:
Editor’s note: some songs may contain explicit content.