By Abby Cooper

Self-labeled Sugar Trap rapper Rico Nasty brings the heat in her debut studio album “Nightmare Vacation”. Adding to her seven mixtape repertoire, Rico’s most recent project highlights her ability to create music that transcends genre — depending on her mood, her hip hop records are infused with elements of nightcore, screamo, emo trap, trap metal, punk rap or hyperpop. 

The album feels chaotic and abrasive, but these are the conditions Rico creates in order to thrive. The 23-year-old pop-punk princess is unapologetically fierce, and rightly so; “Nightmare Vacation” features back to back bangers and showcases Rico’s range as an artist. From the rage-filled, scream-rap records akin to Rico’s hit single “Smack A Bitch”, to melodic and groovy tracks like “No Debate”, Rico has it all covered. If there was any doubt in Rico’s ability to sing, she stomped that idea out on the light and breezy “Back and Forth” featuring Amine.

Rico was forced to grow up at a young age, experiencing both the death of her best friend and the hardships and joys of being a teenage mother. This might explain why she puts up with no bullshit and isn’t afraid to get in your face with her angst, excitement and brattiness. Rico is an artist who knows exactly who she is and each new record she creates shows her fans a different part of herself. Opening the album with “Candy”, Rico boasts about the life she’s made for herself in her playful, punk-rap style. She raps “Call me crazy, but you can never call me broke” and screams “can you feel me?!” She picks up her hardcore, aggressive flow on tracks like “Check Me Out”, “STFU”, “10Fo” and “Let It Out”, the latter of which is literally lets out pent-up frustration to create a sense of catharsis. 

“Don’t Like Me”, featuring Don Toliver and Gucci Mane is a melodic track with pitched-up vocals and a sassy beat. Hyperpop record “IPHONE” has a similar effect with heavy vocal production and catchy lyrics like “Smoking so much gas, I forgot to put my mask on.” Rico acknowledges that she gave herself permission to experiment with brighter, flirty melodies on “Pussy Poppin”, rapping “I don't really talk like this, I know.” While these tracks diverge from her cutthroat sound, Rico maintains her egocentric and unconcerned persona. 

“Nightmare Vacation” exudes confidence; Rico knows you’re going to love her records, and if you don’t then you can fuck off. Take it from Rico herself when she shrieks on “10Fo” in her raspy voice: “When they ask who’s the hardest bitch out, my name they better have mentioned.” But Rico isn’t always the personification of RBF (resting bitch face). Her vulnerable, sensitive alter ego Tacobella gets a chance to shine on “Loser”, Rico’s collaboration with Trippie Redd, which carries a gloomy, despondent melody and lyrics that remind us of high school and Mean Girls — “We’re going shopping, loser, get it.”

“OHFR” and “Own It” are the essence of Rico’s signature Sugar Trap style — a combination of singing, upbeat, bubbly rap and trap rapping. First released as a single, “OHFR”, features an electronic, siren-sounding beat that Rico raps over with bravado. The most bubbly track is “Own It”, and to fully appreciate Rico’s artistic vision, watch the music video to get a sense of her maximalist, avant-garde punk fashion style, which incorporates a headwrap covered in spikes.

“Nightmare Vacation” is stock full of raw, uncontrolled energy, self-love, and angst. If you want to get hyped, let out your anger or jump around, this is the album for you. With forcefulness and ferocity, Rico delivers a creative and unique project that deserves recognition. When talking about the great female rappers of the 21st century, be sure to include Rico Nasty’s name alongside hip hop icons like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. 

Abby is a culture writer for La Tonique.