tiny. Music for Ricco seems to be more than just a passion or gift, but more like his life, his purpose, his reason for enduring the realities of the industry, in and out of his comfort zone. Music is the foundation or the centerpiece that keeps everything in his life binding together. Music is his outlet to frustrations, love, loss, innocence, pleasure and pain. His enticing tones and smooth runs, and layers of musical instrumental vocals expressed in his music, are able to tap in to all of ones every emotions and offers an unique understanding that only ones that has experienced it could express! The toughest thing for him to adjust to in his own words is, “The industry itself and how they see me. I’m not no Usher or Trey Songz, when you see me you don’t see that cookie cut R&B dude, you just see a regular person. And my thing is, that has been I guess the adjustment. I’m a real authentic North Carolina country boy, and a lot of things in the industry are just an illusion, or a magnification, but now that I have grown into it, I understand it. I’ve paid a lot of dues and still paying a lot of dues.” icco’s humbled beginnings led him into all sorts of opportunities that granted a foot in the door of one of the toughest industry’s to delve into successfully. Ricco’s unique sound caught the ear of one of the biggest names in the industry. He went on to secure his own musical journey by becoming a signed artist to the rap Phenomenon, T.I.’s label, Grand Hustle. Although Ricco confirmed that he is no longer signed to the label, he does enlighten us by expressing his relationship with the team, “Grand Hustle is like my family. They will forever be my family. The only thing that ties me to Grand Hustle is the great brotherly relationship between me
and Tip, Jason Geter and the whole family. I can walk in there tonight and it’s all love. We still work together hand in hand, but as far as a contract, no I’m not solid. One thing about Grand Hustle is that they are fair and so they never said well we going to keep you in contract and choke hold you, you know. They gave me the leeway to go and work with whoever I wanted to and that has been such a blessed situation for me.” icco Barrino admits that it is tough to stay motivated and enco uraged but it’s the love of the fans and followers and the commitment to his family that keeps him pushing. He is so focused and committed to his story finishing the way he always imagined it would be. “Family, followers, and the struggle itself is what keep me motivated and striving.” Ricco hates being told no and is never satisfied, that’s why I am confident that not only is Ricco Barrino here to stay but is evolving as we speak daily. I have so much admiration and respect for Ricco because through every hurdle in his life, we still see him pressing forward. Even when things get personally tough in his or his family’s life, we still witness him fighting for his existence. Ricco is more patient than one probably realizes and believes that his journey is definitely being led by God himself. “He states that “it’s hard out here, so when God decides that it’s my time, and that he is going to bless me, then all of the hard work, the crying nights and the nights that I wanted to give up but I didn’t, then it will all make sense. That’s what I’m waiting on.” icco has the ability to intertwine the best sounds of R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, Rap, Country, and Pop to give all his fans that finger snapping, toe tapping sound that touches your soul. He’s a veteran of many International tours that include likes of Kanye West, Com-
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mon, Keisha Cole, and Patty Labelle. He also occasionally sings background with his sister, Fantasia. He was featured on songs from several high-profile recording artists, including B.o.B’s “5th Dimension” from his album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010) and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s “Gone” from their reunion album Uni-5: The World’s Enemy (2010). Ricco Barrino has also written for such artist as Day 26, Fantasia, R Kelly, Angie Stone, Yung LA and Big Kuntry King. Today Ricco Barrino is making his way up the charts with his new hit single “Followers” off of his new mix tape Musical Evolution hosted by DJ Chuck T. One of my favorite songs by Ricco is Hood, which is a wonderful collaboration with Fantasia. Ricco’s style is very rhythmic; it touches the heart and soul of all who listens. Ricco currently did some impressive work with the new movie, The Butler, with Fantasia of which he got to show off his scoring skills, as well as, his vocal ability.
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ike Fantasia, Ricco Barrino is a super star and the sky is not the limit for this melodic sensation. Ricco is definably a leader and one to take notice of as he prepares his listener’s and the world to change the way they approach life in relation to attaining ones deepest dream. One can certainly dream big and get the lifestyle that one visualizes if they put the work behind the faith and belief. Ricco is putting in the blood, sweat and tears to make it to the top on his own merits. He is a great example in that there is no obstacle and limitations besides the ones we ourselves create.
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ou can follow Ricco on Twitter at twitter. com/riccobarrino, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riccobarrinoFacebook. You can also visit his webpage at www.riccobarrino.com or subscribe to his YouTube Vevo page at http:// www.youtube.com/riccobarrinovevo. You can also contact Ricco’s management team for bookings at [email protected].
MIRACLES&BLESSINGS….GOD 1ST…WINNING!
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