Exclusive Interview/Bio
Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today.
Rico Suave’: I’m from Ellenwood, GA which is located in Clayton County 15 minutes SE of Atlanta, GA. I grew up with Myyko Montana and D Dash Bo of DGBSM (Dirt Gang Brick Squad Monopoly). At the age of 16 I promoted for TVT Records and I was in a local R&B group called “Created.” I’ve been writing songs and chasing this dream for as long as I can remember. I never gave up and I never will. I hooked up with Blitz The Entertainer in 2007. In 2012 we finally said “fuck it, lets get to work.” Now here we are 5 years later with our hit titled “Blood, Sweat, & Tears.”
Blitz The Entertainer: I’m from Jacksonville, FL, Duval, County. I used to be in a group called F.L.A. (Front Line Alliance). I actually started the group and I was the youngest of the group. We had big dreams to make hit records. When it came down to the truth, all we really had was talent, cds, flyers and posters. The only thing that was missing was distribution, road manager, and direction. So I jumped on the Greyhound and moved to Atlanta, GA. In 2006, without knowing a soul, I got to where I am today by hard work, dedication, and staying true for what I believe in, music. I produce tracks for myself of course, Dem Franchize Boyz, Rico Suave’, Kilo Ali, Khia, Sweet of Stack’em Ent., Shawty Lo, and West Side Ink.
Tell us more about the current song you are promoting to everyone.
Blitz The Entertainer: “Blood, Sweat & Tears” is an anthem! If you ever had a hustle or achieved your goals you can actually say you’ve made it through the blood, sweat & tears.
Rico Suave’: “Blood, Sweat & Tears” is a song from the heart. 90% of human beings on earth can relate to this song. “Blood, Sweat & Tears” represents the struggle we have all experience at least one time in our life. We have felt like we were on top if not on top right now.
What are you currently working on and what can we expect to see?
Rico & Blitz: Right now we are working on our mixtape, The Rico & Blitz Project. It’s expected to drop OCT. 1 2012.
Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
Rico Suave’: It would have to be getting into the industry. It takes dedication, motivation, a hit and for the right person to hear it.
Blitz The Entertainer: Leaving my hometown Jacksonville, FL, coming to Atlanta, and establishing personal relationships with artists in Atlanta.
What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
Rico Suave’: Going to prison for 3 years for 3 counts of robbery was a major set back. I bounced back by writing songs the whole 3 years. Getting out and getting back on the grind.
Blitz The Entertainer: The whole situation is a set back until we make it. Being an artist in a group in Jacksonville with no backbone was a major set back. Now Rico and I have so much support and people backing us which all came from staying loyal to our craft.
What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Rico Suave’: Loyalty! A lot of people make it into the industry and forget about the people that helped them get there. If they didn’t turn their backs on you, you better not turn your back on them. You can’t expect someone to be loyal to you and if not loyal to yourself. Just know this,”loyalty equals royalties.” If you can’t stand by that, you gets no love, so get ready to be fxxxxx with no grease (lol), be careful of that.
Blitz The Entertainer: Make sure you have your legal documents in order: copyrights, etc. Don’t trust everybody in the industry and go about doing things the right way. Avoid taking short cuts if you can. You never know who knows who, so don’t burn any bridges.
What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Blitz The Entertainer: When it seems like you’re having the worst time don’t give up, the light will eventually shine on you. Be yourself, stay focused, don’t lose the passion, and all it takes is one song/hit to prevail.
Rico Suave’: Keep fighting, keep writing, and most of all stay loyal. Just because you write a song and record it doesn’t mean it’s a hit. You might be the only one that likes your song. You will know your song is a hit when you feel it in your mind, heart, and soul. There was no denying “Blood, Sweat & Tears.” It’s a hit because we wrote it from the mind, heart, and soul.
What are the best ways to sell your products as an artist?
Rico & Blitz: iTunes, Bandcamp, etc.
What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
Blitz & Rico: Internet, word of mouth, videos, talent shows, and flyers. The whole nine. We started on Facebook and then we took off from there.