Rico Suave is an artist out of South Central Los Angeles, raised in a family where music was always part of the vibe. Even though he got a later start than some, he came into the scene with a sound of his own and a real gift for connecting through music. Since he started rapping in 2018, he’s been going nonstop, consistently pulling people in with his energy and lyrics.

While Hip-Hop is his main lane, Rico Suave’s not afraid to switch it up – he also taps into R&B and writes Pop songs, aiming to one day write for other artists too. His influences are rooted in LA culture, inspired by legends like Nipsey Hussle, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, and his brother, P1. On stage, he’s got that natural presence and crowd control that can’t be taught.

These days, Rico Suave’s not just making music – he’s also working in policy, bringing his lived experience and passion to a whole different kind of changemaking. He started recording tracks back in college at Cal State Northridge, and he’s been building his catalog ever since, staying true to his roots and story.

With his single, “Leave Town,” out now, we took some time to hear from Rico Suave. Read below to learn more about Rico Suave, the story behind his single, and what’s to come.

Hi Rico Suave! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

My mother gave me the name Rico, inspired by the song from Gerardo, and then it developed into a persona. I was a very smooth young man and people started to add ‘Suave’ to the ‘Rico.’ It kind of took on a life of its own, and I rolled with it.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am from Los Angeles, California, and I am still based there.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I used to want to do music when I was a kid because my whole family did music, but I did not start until around 2018 when I started writing music. I got started by really just freestyling in my dorm room and writing the lyrics in my phone, then finding beats on YouTube to match those lyrics.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Yes, so my dad also did music and so did all of my siblings, but they were all talented in different ways – some could sing, some could rap, and some just had grandiose ideas. I try to combine the three and make music that is versatile as well as relatable.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I’d describe my sound as a mix of West Coast Hip-Hop with touches of R&B and Pop influence. I stay grounded in storytelling, but I like to experiment with melody and smooth hooks. I don’t put myself in a box. If it feels right, I’m on it.

What’s one song everyone should hear from you when they first start listening?

I would say start with ‘Say It Back’ or ‘Scared To Love.’ I think those two are very strong, and they are the basis of my music. Others would say ‘Lifeline’ or ‘Patient’ because they are so bar heavy.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

My number one hobby outside of music is traveling. I’m always looking to gain real-world experience because everything I rap about comes from what I’ve lived or seen. Traveling puts me in new environments that really feed my creativity. I’m also a huge movie lover. I don’t just watch films, I dive deep into them. I get lost in the characters and the stories, sometimes even imagining myself in their shoes. And, on top of that, I love watching live performances. Seeing other artists connect with a crowd and control their energy always inspires me and reminds me why I do this. Between traveling, movies, and live music, I’m always keeping my creative juices flowing.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Since I was a kid, I was always a Michael Jackson fan. Other than Michael, it’s mostly West Coast artists and Canadian artists. A few others would be Nipsey Hussle, P1 (my brother), Mozzy, Justin Bieber, and Shawn Mendez.

What are some of your future music career goals?

I have four main goals. First, I want to perform a sold-out show where people are singing my shows to me. Then, I want to do a joint album with P1 (my brother). Lastly, I want to do a sold-out tour across the United States with thirty dates.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

Honestly, finishing my project, Hope You Love Me After, was such a high point for me because it showed me that I can always level up my music. I knew I was good, but that project gave me a different level of confidence.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

The greatest lessons that I learned was that if you never put it out to the world, how will you know if they like it. Also, that this is really a turtle vs the hare thing, where people may be big before you, but if you bubble for long enough, you will bigger overall then them.

Now onto your release, ‘Leave Town.’ What inspired this song?

I try to travel a lot and while on a plane to Hawaii for my birthday, I started jotting down ideas for a song, and two years later, I recorded it.

What is ‘Leave Town’ about?

‘Leave Town’ is a song about going back to visit home, reconnecting with an old fling, and just trying to see if the flame is still there before you have to jet off again.

What is your favorite lyric in ‘Leave Town’ and why?

‘Up in my eyes where your soul probably escapes.’ That line hits different for me because the eyes really are the window to the soul. In that moment, whether we’re making love or just connecting on a deep level, it’s like our souls are finding safety in each other. It’s intimate, it’s vulnerable, and it’s real. Our eyes become that space where everything unspoken is understood and our souls escape together, even if just for a moment.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Leave Town?’

The deeper message is that it’s not bad to be a hopeless romantic and always go for what you want no matter how much time has passed.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

Currently, I am working on, ‘Hope You Love Me After Too,’ which includes ‘Leave Town’ and other singles that I dropped recently. I am hoping for everyone be on the lookout for them. It will be around 9-11 songs and will drop late August or early September.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Follow me on Instagram honestly: @rsuav.e.

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!