How did Jigsaw, a significant moment of self-reflection, and one specific rap album from last year all contribute to inspiring rage-pioneer Rico Nasty's new album, ‘LETHAL’? CLASH investigates.
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Ego death can strike unexpectedly. For Rico Nasty, this was triggered by catching her reflection in a mirror backstage at a concert. “I was in a baby tee that said ‘I love cum’, had raver beads up to my elbows, a Sonic the Hedgehog backpack on, and my make-up looked like I stepped out of Euphoria. I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Wow, this is wild.’” Rico Nasty chuckles as she recalls the moment that influenced her latest album, ‘LETHAL’. “I never wanted to be someone who grows older and says you need to grow up or can’t dress like that, but it felt like a costume.”
Ego death represents a release from the confines of one's ego, a complete freedom from the self, and possibly, the realization that it’s time to let go of the cartoon backpack. Since her emergence on SoundCloud in 2016 with ‘iCarly’ and ‘Poppin’, Rico Nasty has exuded a strong sense of identity. Her raspy voice and melodic flow commanded attention, as did her music videos featuring an emo-scenester rapping with a lit blunt in plaid pants and heavy eyeliner. Rico was part of a larger SoundCloud scene that blended trap beats with pop-punk elements, reminiscent of performers like Lil Peep, Juice WRLD, and Lil Uzi Vert—shaped by her upbringing on a mix of Lil Wayne and Paramore.
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What distinguished Rico Nasty was her wide emotional range: she could glide effortlessly from bratty and vulnerable to sharply intelligent within a single verse. Her humor made outrageous lines like, “when times were hard I would look up and pray / thank God I ain’t have to smack a bitch today,” resonate deeply.
Returning to her moment of ego death, the backstage experience marked a realization that she no longer wanted to resemble Alice Glass at Cyberdog. “I could be a fly young bitch, reminiscent of 2015 style, you know?” Now, her candy-colored mohawks have been swapped for high-end 50-inch wigs, ironic baby tees traded for leather corsets, and moon boots replaced with sharp heels. Her new aesthetic can be described as a dominatrix dining with Solange. “I wanted to dive into this era with full force. Hot sauce!” she exclaims.
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The visuals for the new album are striking and unified, drawing from her passion for horror movies: “They create a visual universe with minimal resources. When you think of the Saw series, you think of Jigsaw, gears, blades, and disturbing imagery; with 28 Days Later, it evokes thoughts of masks, biohazard symbols, and zombies.” Referencing Danny Boyle’s zombie series, Rico sees the upcoming release of 28 Years Later as a positive sign. “I love that it’s coming out now, and the promotions are everywhere – I’m 28 years old, and that’s my favorite horror movie!” she laughs.
The video for the aggressive track ‘SON OF A GUN’ shows Rico thrashing in an abandoned warehouse reminiscent of Jigsaw’s elaborate traps. The album packaging features biohazard designs, and the vinyl is shaped like a circular saw blade. When I ask if the album cover—showcasing a close-up of Rico’s face adorned with acupuncture needles—was influenced by Takashi Miike’s Audition, known for its infamous needle-filled finale, she hadn’t intended it but gleefully searches for the J-Horror classic, exclaiming, “It looks cool as fuck.”
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I’m conversing with Rico over FaceTime as she meanders through her Los Angeles home, akin to catching up with that friend who's always on the move. Without makeup, she sports a comfy cap that says “Hollywood Baby” (from the Polish streetwear brand MISBHV) and is friendly, often breaking into a wide grin while recounting tales. Her relaxed vibe leads us into extended conversations about watching reaction YouTubers ("I’ve been in my bed late at night with my feet kicked up"), her wig obsession ("I have over 200 wigs, it’s a problem"), and at one point, she hops into her car, drives around, and arrives seemingly back home.
Despite her new look, it would be disingenuous to portray ‘LETHAL’ as a complete departure; it’s evidently a tapestry of the music that has shaped her identity. You can hear the sugary trap on ‘PINK’ and ‘ON THE LOW’, while the run of tracks including ‘SOUL SNATCHER’, ‘GRAVE’, and ‘SON OF A GUN’ delivers a hard-hitting dose of the punk-rap that
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In what ways did Jigsaw, an impactful moment of self-reflection, and a specific rap album from the previous year shape the influence on rage-pioneer Rico Nasty’s latest album?