Rico Nasty, née Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly, is a Gen Z pop star who’s rising to the top. From sitting front row at the Laquan Smith show during New York Fashion Week to preparing for her debut album, the 22-year-old mom is making groundbreaking moves.
Her unique sound pulls from rock and rap, and her confidence beams through her spanking eclectic aesthetic. “I don’t know why Black women are scared to rage,” the artist says. “We have more to be mad about than anybody else on the planet.” Never one to follow the pack, she continues to live unapologetically and to embrace her authenticity. We caught up with Rico Nasty to talk fashion inspo, pushing boundaries and identity.
ESSENCE: What influences your look?
RICO NASTY: I’d google “What did Rihanna wear last night?” then try to put my own spin on it. I’m also obsessed with Joan Jett; she came out when rock was so male-dominated.
ESSENCE: We just love the Off-White sneakers you’ve been wearing lately. Are shoes the accessory you can’t live without?
R.N.: I adore shoes. My favorite brand is Maison Margiela because it always breaks the barriers of what shoes are supposed to look like.
ESSENCE: When did you first home in on your sartorial love?
R.N.: I have always been into fashion. I was really big on Tumblr. The only dilemma I had was that I was poor. I remember when I got my first big check, minus what I did for my son, I bought everything on my wish list. I had 12 boxes come to my house— everything I wanted.
ESSENCE: How has what you wear played a part in your identity?
R.N.: Expression is the only honest thing we have left in this world. People can fake anything else, but you can’t fake that. You can’t fake feeling. I also try my best to let my music get that out of me because a lot of times, me being a Black woman, people are like, “Oh, she’s so angry.” I don’t even think it’s anger. It’s just expression in general.
ESSENCE: What’s your take on luxe brands using the culture for capital?
R.N.: Black people are fashion, so luxe brands definitely are in the hood looking at what we are rocking. They get stuff just from seeing Black girls on the street.
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