Rico Nasty – RX (Album Review)

Rico Nasty embraces chaos, confidence, and creativity on a project built for maximum energy.

STREAM

TOP 3

3. Frenzy

What the hell was Kenny Beats on when he produced “Frenzy?” Between the crushing bass, warped glitches, and cosmic, asteroid-like atmosphere, the beat creates an experience that would f**k with your head.

Rico Nasty matches that energy by constantly switching flows, sometimes channeling a Nicki Minaj-style cadence and other times sounding pretty unruly. Lyrically, she takes aim at brokeys, women she feels can’t compete with her, and men who think they are lit enough to get in her guts. I probably won’t play this track again, but I do think it’s one you HAVE to listen to.

2. Rituals

“Rituals” features instrumentation that feels like the audio equivalent of running through an arcade game while targets fly at you from every direction. Kenny Beats deserves major credit for crafting a beat that is both overwhelming and addictive.

Rather than getting distracted by the madness, Rico attacks the production head-on. She sounds completely unfiltered in the best way possible, delivering aggressive bars about copycats stealing her style and being prepared for any enemies that come her way. Her energy level never dips, making every second of the track feel urgent.

1. Cupcake

“Cupcake” is easily one of my favorite tracks by Rico Nasty ever. The production on the track pairs booming percussion with distorted textures, creating a sound that feels like Rico wandering through Wonderland with Molly in her hands.

Lyrically, Rico wastes no time reminding listeners why she’s remained one of rap’s most fearless personalities. She packs the song with razor-sharp punchlines, confident flexes, and the kind of rebellious attitude that has always defined her music. As a fellow DMVer, her s**t-talking in particular resonated with me mightily (F the rest of you mere Americans).

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. CDG Foams (4/5)

2. Frenzy (4/5)

3. Rotation (4/5)

4. Cupcake (5/5)

5. Blow Your Nose (3.5/5)

6. Runway (3.5/5)

7. Butthead (3.5/5)

8. Kiss N Make Up (4/5)

9. Rituals (4.5/5)

RGM RATING

(C+)

One thing you can always count on with Rico Nasty is that she is going to bring the energy. Even with this project only being nine tracks long, she wastes no time making sure every moment feels explosive.

RX features production from Rico’s longtime collaborator Kenny Beats, and he does an excellent job pushing her into different spaces. The production blends chaos, futuristic sounds, and psychedelic elements in a way that feels perfectly suited for Rico’s unpredictable style. The beats are so intense and packed with personality that they almost steal the spotlight before Rico even enters the track. I would give the production an A.

Rico keeps the energy high throughout the entire project. She experiments with different flows, delivers plenty of trash talk, and maintains the fearless confidence that has become her trademark. However, I was slightly surprised because I didn’t feel like she went completely off the rails as often as I expected. At times, the production actually outmatched her, especially on “Frenzy.”

That said, I loved when Rico leaned into her more accessible side on “Cupcake.” It showed that she can create a catchy, polished record without losing what makes her unique.

While RX may not be her biggest statement, it is still a strong addition to Rico Nasty’s catalog and a project that feels completely authentic to who she is.

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