Then we’ll do a release party in Fayetteville, and one in South Carolina. We’ll start in North Carolina, and move down toward Atlanta. Of course, Miami. If we can make enough connection in places like Cleveland, we’ll push all over the country.
U.G. Digital Mag: That would be awesome man, we’d love to have you here.
Ricco Barrino: I would love to. The last time I was there in Cleveland, we turned the place out. Shout out to the fans who were there. I had a blast. I’ll never forget that because they showed me so much love.
U.G. Digital Mag: The city has enormous love for you guys, but that’s also because of the Ohio connection. Fantasia was here just last month and they turned out for her too. Moving back to the music you’ve done, you did the song California, which was also another huge hit for you. How did that come about?
Ricco Barrino: They just called me up and asked me to be a part of it. They let me know what they wanted to hear, and I walked in the booth and started singing. I dropped it at my birthday party at Strokers. Shout out to all the guys over at Strokers. They helped plan the party, and it was great.
U.G. Digital Mag: One of the last questions I wanted to ask is related to being independent. What do you enjoy most about being an independent artist?
Ricco Barrino: The freedom. Not being able to look sideways at somebody and wonder if they are taking my money. A lot of artists on the majors have to look and wonder. They may be broke as a joke. If you know how to handle your business, it’s good. It’s some bad sides to it, but the good is that you don’t have to worry who’s taking your money. It’s so many people out here doing their thing independent. You’re better off in my opinion. A lot of artists get signed, and you never really hear from them anymore.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s good because you can put out what you want. You don’t have that same flexibility with the majors. Obviously, you don’t have the funding per se as an independent, but if you work harder, it all comes together.
Ricco Barrino: What you said reminds me that so many people sit in offices and don’t know what’s going on in the streets. They never give you a chance, or your music never gets a shot because they don’t believe. It’s almost like a car on the lot. As long as I sell this and that, I’m good. I don’t want to be that car. Thank you for people like you who take the time to help an artist rise by doing interviews with them and and letting the world see who that artist is.