Rico Love Explained

Rico Love
Birth Name:Richard Preston Butler Jr.
Birth Date:3 December 1982
Birth Place:New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Origin:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Years Active:2003–present
Label:
Child:yes
Children:2

Richard Preston Butler Jr. (born December 3, 1982), better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but split his childhood between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and New York City's Harlem neighborhood. He attended Florida A&M and, while visiting Atlanta, Georgia, worked his way into the music industry through connections with singer Usher, who became one of Butler's frequent collaborators.

Butler first wrote the song "Throwback", which was performed by Usher on his Grammy Award-winning album Confessions (2004). Butler has since contributed to works which have received Grammy Awards, including Beyoncé's I Am... Sasha Fierce,[1] Usher's Raymond v. Raymond (2009),[2] and the albums single, "There Goes My Baby". He also co-wrote "Heart Attack" for Trey Songz, which received a nomination for the award.[3] Throughout the decade, he would continue to write or produce other commercially successful R&B singles including Usher's "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)", Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", and Beyoncé's "Sweet Dreams".[4] [5] [6] He has also been credited on releases for artists including Kelly Rowland,[7] Mario,[8] Chris Brown,[9] Alexandra Burke, Keri Hilson,[10] Fergie,[11] and Fantasia.[12]

As a recording artist, Butler has released two studio albums: TTLO (2015) and Even Kings Die (2018); the former spawned the single "They Don't Know", which moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100. He launched the record label Division1 as an imprint of Universal Motown in 2010 and later Interscope Records in 2013; it has signed artists including Young Chris, Tiara Thomas, and Teairra Marí.[13] [14] [15] He has guest performed on albums for T.I., Jermaine Dupri, Jamie Foxx,[16] Rich Boy,[17] and Fat Joe.[18]

Early life

Love was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and his parents divorced at an early age. As a result of the divorce Love spent his childhood growing up in two different cities, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his mother and Harlem with his father.[19] Love's mother encouraged him as a child to write poetry.[20] Love wrote his own poems and went on to joining the African American Children's Theater where he recited Langston Hughes and acted.[19] [20] Love had already been writing his own poems before he was introduced to rap in his early teens.[21] By the end of high school Love had decided to pursue a career in rap but would go to college simultaneously, "I'm [going] to go to school instead of just sitting on the block. If I hadn't gone to college I would've been a drug dealer."[20]

While in college at Florida A&M University Love stayed involved in his music by winning many rap battles and talent shows. On the weekends Love would leave for Atlanta, Georgia for the benefit of its studios and popular music scene. While visiting Atlanta Love met members of Jagged Edge who were an influence on Love's songwriting development. Love eventually left college because of a paperwork error made by the college's administration's office. Love went to live with some local Atlanta producers the Corna Boyz. This relationship provided Love the opportunity to rap on a remix the producers were creating for Usher. Usher liked Love's work on the remix and eventually signed him to US Records/J Records. Usher requested Love compose lyrics for a song written by Just Blaze. This song eventually became "Throwback" and was featured on Usher's Diamond-selling (10× Platinum) Confessions album.[22] Love next toured with Usher where he met and connected with many music industry players. Usher encouraged Love to become a songwriter and requests for Love's compositions began coming from artists Chris Brown, Omarion, and Marques Houston. Love currently lives in Miami. He has two children with photographer Robin Thompson known as Robin V; a son, Carys Preston, and a daughter, Believe Beyond.

Music career

Solo artist

As a solo recording artist, Love is both a singer and a rapper.[23] Love was asked by Usher to contribute to the soundtrack to the film In the Mix.[24] Love contributed "Settle Down", "Sweat" featuring Usher, and "On the Grind" featuring Juelz Santana and Paul Wall.[25] Love recorded a solo album in 2007 titled The 5th Element which he ultimately decided to focus on his songwriting and not release the recordings.[26] Though Love may not be recording as a solo artist he still contributes his vocals and rhymes to other artists. Love has appeared as a guest artist on songs by Fat Joe,[18] Juvenile,[27] Rich Boy,[17] Jamie Foxx,[16] T.I.,[14] and his own artist, Young Chris.[28]

After 8-year hiatus from his solo career and signing his label Division 1 to a distribution deal with Interscope Records, Rico Love would release an extended play entitled Discrete Luxury, on February 27, 2014, which would be re-released. It charted on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number 48. The first single from the album, "They Don't Know", it debuted and peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it Rico Love's highest-charting single as a solo artist. The second single from the album, is entitled "Bitches Be Like". On December 9, 2013, Rico Love released a mixtape entitled El Presidente.[29] [30] [31]

On August 27, 2014, Rico Love released a mixtape entitled I Sin.[32] [33] [34] On December 2, 2014, Rico Love would release the lead single from his debut studio album, entitled "Somebody Else".[35]

On February 18, 2015, Rico Love announced he would be releasing his debut studio album, titled Turn The Lights On, on May 19, 2015.[36] On May 5, 2015, Rico Love would release the second single from Turn The Lights On entitled "Days Go By".[37] On May 18, 2015, the album was released with production from, among others, Danja, Benny Blanco, Jim Jonsin and Robopop, along with the major record label Interscope Records.[38] [39]

Rico recently supported singer Monica on 'The Code Red Experience Tour'.

Production/songwriting

Love wrote the song "Throwback" at the request of Usher which was a part of the 2004 triple Grammy-winning album Confessions.[19] [40] Love also wrote "Seduction" which was a bonus track on the Confessions special edition release.[41] These were the first of several collaborations between the singer and the writer/producer.In September 2007, Rico Love wrote and produced on the Platinum single "Love Like This" by singer Natasha Bedingfield featuring Sean Kingston. This song was popular with mainstream audiences reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also a hit in dance clubs, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

In May 2008, "Energy" was released as the first single by Keri Hilson from her Gold album In a Perfect World....[42] [43] The song was co-written and co-produced by Love for the Grammy-nominated artist.The song "Labels or Love", co-written and produced by Love and performed by Fergie was released in May 2008.[44] The song was featured on the deluxe version of her triple Platinum album The Dutchess and also the Gold-selling soundtrack to the film Sex and the City.[45] In November 2008, Beyoncé's double Platinum[46] and 5× Grammy-winning album I Am... Sasha Fierce included four songs featuring Love's songwriting and production.[47] Love wrote and produced on the Platinum single "Sweet Dreams" which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Love's work was also featured on "Scared of Lonely", "Radio", and "Save the Hero".By the end of 2008 in December, another Love co-written and co-produced track was released as a single for the Grammy-nominated artist Pleasure P.[48] [49] "Boyfriend #2" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[50] Love wrote and produced five songs on Mario's D.N.A. album released in October 2009.[51] The songs included the single "Thinkin' About You" and "Hi", "Ooh Baby", "Soundtrack to My Broken Heart", and "Get Out".

Love wrote and produced on his former mentor Usher's Raymond v. Raymond album, released in March 2010.[52] The Platinum and Grammy-winning album featured four of Love's compositions including two of the album's singles.[53] The Love co-produced and co-written single "There Goes My Baby" was a hit and stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for four weeks and earned Usher a Grammy for his performance on the song. The other single featuring Love's writing and producing was "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" which rose to number two on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Love's other contributions to the album included the songs "Making Love (Into the Night)" and "So Many Girls".At the end of March 2010 the single "Hello Good Morning" penned by Love for Diddy – Dirty Money was released.[54] Diddy is one of Love's mentors in the industry and he was honored to write for the performer/producer/mogul. The song went on to achieve Gold status and was performed by DDM and Rico Love on season nine of American Idol.[55] Nelly's 5.0 album, released in November 2010 contained eight works featuring Love's songwriting and production skills.[56] The first single, "Just a Dream", co-written and co-produced by Love, went Platinum and landed at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.[57] Love also worked on the single "Gone" featuring Kelly Rowland, a follow-up to the 2002 Nelly hit "Dilemma" also featuring Rowland.[58] Love's other work on the album were on the tracks "Broke", "Making Movies", "Don't It Feel Good", "K.I.S.S.", "Nothing Without Her", and "Move That Body".Love wrote, produced, and appeared as an artist on Jamie Foxx's Best Night of My Life album released December 2010.[59] The album's first single "Living Better Now" features Rick Ross and was co-written and co-produced by Love.[60] [61] Love wrote "Freak", which also features his appearance as an artist, and "Sex On the Beach".[62] [63] Love is managed by Made Communication, Miami, Florida.

He has also written and produced for Fergie, Chris Brown, ASAP Rocky, David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa, and Mary J. Blige.[64]

Division 1

In November 2010, Love launched Division 1 which originally partnered with Universal Motown but later moved the venture to Interscope Records. In 2011, Love signed R&B artist Teairra Marí & rap artist Young Chris to his label.[65] [66] In 2013, Love's label venture signed the artist, Tiara Thomas, to its roster. Love also has a production company of the same name to which he signed producers, Earl Hood, Eric Goudy, and D Town.[19] [67] [68] In 2014, Rico Love signed Trina to his label.

Musical influences/techniques

Love has cited various artists as influences such as Usher (who originally signed Love), Sean "Diddy" Combs, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, R. Kelly, Queen, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, and Miles Davis.[19] [20] [69]

Love has explained when composing he does not write lyrics down or even spend many hours working on songs.[6] He simply listens to a beat and then sings what comes to him.[20] He was quoted as learning this technique from Jagged Edge.[19] [20] Love claims that his technique gives him the ability to write songs very quickly which affords him the opportunity to place more songs on any single album than what most writers could.[19]

Discography

See main article: Rico Love discography and List of songs written by Rico Love.

Studio albums
EPs
Singles

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Past Winners Search | GRAMMY.com . www.grammy.com . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503164723/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=beyonce&title=&year=All&genre=All . 3 May 2012 . dead.
  2. Web site: 2012-05-03 . 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners GRAMMY.com . 2023-12-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503164723/http://www.grammy.com/nominees . May 3, 2012 .
  3. Web site: Rico Love Artist GRAMMY.com . 2023-12-21 . www.grammy.com.
  4. Web site: Song Search :: SESAC . www.sesac.com . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728162113/http://www.sesac.com/Repertory/SongSearch.aspx?songNum=705878 . 28 July 2011 . dead.
  5. Web site: Song Search :: SESAC . www.sesac.com . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110928003654/http://www.sesac.com/Repertory/SongSearch.aspx?songNum=702982 . 28 September 2011 . dead.
  6. Web site: Rico Love . SESAC . November 30, 2011.
  7. Web site: Nelly and Kelly reunite . Star Observer . March 9, 2011 . November 30, 2011.
  8. Web site: Rico Love Says Diddy-Dirty Money Album Will Be Worth the Wait . Rap-Up.com . April 28, 2010 . November 30, 2011 . October 13, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121013150640/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/04/28/rico-love-says-diddy-dirty-money-album-will-be-worth-the-wait/ . dead .
  9. Web site: Exclusive: Songwriter Rico Love Talks Chris Brown's "Amazing" Songwriting Progress . Neonlimelight.com . July 9, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  10. Web site: Rico Love: The Music Industry Is Like High School . The Urban Daily . June 8, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  11. Web site: Fergie Has Sex and the City's Theme, 'Labels Or Love' . May 5, 2008 . California . Prnewswire.com . November 30, 2011.
  12. Web site: Rico Love Talks About Fantasia's New Album: "I Wanted to Show People Her Seductive Side" - That Grape Juice . April 11, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052528/http://thatgrapejuice.net/2010/05/rico-love-talks-fantasias-album-wanted-show-people-seductive-side/ . March 4, 2016 .
  13. Web site: Rico Love's Division 1/Universal Motown Launch Party . VIBE . November 30, 2011.
  14. Web site: New Video: T.I. x Rico Love "Lay Me Down" . Rap Radar . January 26, 2011 . November 30, 2011.
  15. Web site: Music: Usher feat. Rico Love – She's Got It . Thisisrnb.com . December 2, 2009 . November 30, 2011.
  16. Web site: Jamie Foxx Featuring Rico Love: MP3 Downloads . Amazon.com . November 30, 2011.
  17. Web site: Rich Boy ft. Rico Love – We Like It . Hiphopmusicdotcom.com . November 26, 2009 . November 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120318230816/http://www.hiphopmusicdotcom.com/rich-boy-ft-rico-love-we-like-it.html . March 18, 2012 . dead .
  18. Web site: Fat Joe Ft. Rico Love – No Problems | HipHopLEAD.com: New Hip Hop Music, Hip Hop Mixtapes, Rap Videos . HipHopLEAD.com . July 9, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  19. Web site: Rico Love: Songwriter Extraordinaire . February 10, 2010 . Parlemag.com . November 30, 2011.
  20. Web site: Last Word Public Relations . Pokform.com . November 30, 2011.
  21. http://new.music.yahoo.com/rico-love/news/rapper-taps-into-hip-hop-roots-to-craft-pop-hits—61998180
  22. Web site: Recording Industry Association of America . RIAA . November 30, 2011.
  23. Producer Rico Love Working With Dr. Dre, T.I., Pleasure P – The Juice . Billboard . November 29, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  24. Book: Vibe . 80 . rico love usher in the mix. . . February 2000 . Vibe Media . November 30, 2011.
  25. Web site: Kellman . Andy . In the Mix [Music from the Motion Picture] – Usher |publisher=AllMusic |date=November 14, 2005 |access-date=November 30, 2011].
  26. Web site: EXCLUSIVE Interview: Turn The Lights ON! – Rico Love – TheNext2Shine:Exclusive RNB Music Downloads . Blog.thenext2shine.com . November 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007071124/http://blog.thenext2shine.com/exclusive-interview-turn-the-lights-on-rico-love . October 7, 2011 . dead .
  27. Web site: Juvenile ft Rico Love – Im Out Chere | Audio . Rap Basement . November 25, 2009 . November 30, 2011.
  28. Web site: New Music: Young Chris f/ Rico Love – 'Break a Bitch Down' . Rap-Up.com . October 15, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  29. Web site: El Presidente Mixtape by Rico Love . May 24, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210807/http://www.datpiff.com/Rico-Love-El-Presidente-mixtape.557453.html . March 4, 2016 .
  30. Web site: El Presidente . HNHH . December 9, 2013 . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325084117/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rico-love-el-presidente-mixtape.103479.html . March 25, 2016 .
  31. Web site: Rico Love - el Presidente Mixtape . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160326012227/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/25361/rico-love-el-presidente.html . March 26, 2016 .
  32. Web site: I Sin Mixtape by Rico Love . May 24, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000557/http://www.datpiff.com/Rico-Love-I-Sin-mixtape.639878.html . March 4, 2016 .
  33. Web site: I Sin . HNHH . August 27, 2014 . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160409212219/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rico-love-i-sin-new-mixtape.115459.html . April 9, 2016 .
  34. Web site: Rico Love - I Sin Mixtape . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160326005333/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/30026/rico-love-i-sin.html . March 26, 2016 .
  35. Web site: Somebody else - Single by Rico Love on iTunes . . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307015430/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/somebody-else-single/id961205949 . March 7, 2016 .
  36. Web site: Rico Love's Debut LP is a Concept Album - XXL . February 18, 2015 . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100202/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/02/rico-love-debut-album-may-19/ . March 4, 2016 .
  37. Web site: Rico Love - Days Go by (Audio) - YouTube . www.youtube.com . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200505233719/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dJCVJV9neE&gl=US&hl=en . 5 May 2020 . dead.
  38. Web site: Turn the Lights on by Rico Love . . May 18, 2015 . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160820112518/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/turn-the-lights-on/id989951035 . August 20, 2016 .
  39. Web site: Turn the Lights on . Amazon . May 23, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192341/http://www.amazon.com/Turn-The-Lights-On-Explicit/dp/B00WO1QVHO . March 5, 2016 .
  40. Web site: GRAMMY.com . GRAMMY Rewind: 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards . GRAMMY.com . November 30, 2011.
  41. Web site: Kellman . Andy . Confessions [Special Edition] – Usher |publisher=AllMusic |date=March 23, 2004 |access-date=November 30, 2011].
  42. Web site: Energy . AllMusic . November 30, 2011 .
  43. Web site: Pop Singer Keri Hilson Debut Album In a Perfect World is Certified... – SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ . California . Prnewswire.com . November 30, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110805132151/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pop-singer-keri-hilson-debut-album-in-a-perfect-world-is-certified-gold-65735177.html . August 5, 2011 . dead .
  44. Web site: Labels Or Love: Fergie: MP3 Downloads . Amazon . November 30, 2011.
  45. Web site: Recording Industry Association of America . RIAA . November 30, 2011.
  46. Web site: Recording Industry Association of America . RIAA . November 30, 2011.
  47. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=beyoncé|chart=all}} I Am...Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé ]. Billboard . November 30, 2011.
  48. Web site: Boyfriend No. 2 . AllMusic . November 30, 2011.
  49. Web site: 2010 Grammy Nominations Released – Gowhere Hip Hop . Chicagonow.com . December 2, 2009 . November 30, 2011.
  50. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=pleasure p|chart=all}} I Am...Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé ]. Billboard . November 30, 2011.
  51. Web site: Kellman . Andy . D.N.A. – Mario . AllMusic . October 13, 2009 . November 30, 2011.
  52. Web site: Kellman . Andy . Raymond V. Raymond – Usher . AllMusic . March 30, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  53. Web site: Recording Industry Association of America . RIAA . November 30, 2011 . dead . https://archive.today/20120717140659/http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=Raymond&artist=&perPage=25 . July 17, 2012 .
  54. Web site: Rico Love – "Lovers" | New Music . SoulCulture . March 19, 2011 . November 30, 2011.
  55. https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America
  56. Web site: Kellman . Andy . 5.0 – Nelly . AllMusic . November 16, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  57. Web site: Nelly single is a platinum hit . Stltoday.com . October 7, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  58. Web site: Rodriguez . Jayson . Nelly And Kelly Rowland's 'Gone' Video Hits The Net . https://web.archive.org/web/20110311014456/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659463/nelly-kelly-rowland-gone-video.jhtml . dead . March 11, 2011 . MTV . March 8, 2011 . November 30, 2011.
  59. Web site: Jeffries . David . Best Night of My Life – Jamie Foxx . AllMusic . December 21, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  60. Web site: J-23 . Jamie Foxx's "Best Night of my Life" Art & Tracklisting Revealed . HipHop DX . November 25, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  61. Web site: Living Better Now . AllMusic . November 30, 2011.
  62. Web site: Freak . AllMusic . November 30, 2011.
  63. Web site: Sex on the Beach . AllMusic . November 30, 2011.
  64. Web site: Rico Love credits . Ricolove.com . May 25, 2016.
  65. Web site: Teairra Mari Signs with Rico Love's Division 1 . August 15, 2011 . December 22, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160422071613/http://theurbandaily.com/2011/08/15/teairra-mari-signs-with-rico-loves-division-1/ . April 22, 2016 .
  66. Web site: Young Chris Has the Game on Smash, Says Beanie Sigel | SOHH.COM . December 22, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224100046/http://www.sohh.com/2011/07/young-chris-has-the-game-on-smash-says-b.html . December 24, 2013 .
  67. Web site: Geraud Blanks . Rico Love adapts to success . JSOnline . December 31, 2009 . November 30, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121013204738/http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/80345497.html . October 13, 2012 .
  68. Web site: RollerFunk.com . Grammy nominated Producer / Singer Pierre Medor . Rollerfunk.com . November 30, 2011.
  69. Web site: Castillo . Arielle . Miami's Mogul-in-the-Making Rico Love Announces New Record Label – Miami Music – Crossfade . Blogs.miaminewtimes.com . October 13, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  70. https://web.archive.org/web/20120503164723/http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2009&genre=All Nominees And Winners | GRAMMY.com
  71. The Year In Music 2010 . Billboard . December 9, 2010 . November 30, 2011.
  72. Web site: Billboard Ranks Hip Hop's Top-Charting Producers . Blog.istandardproducers.com . December 31, 2010 . November 30, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111008234606/http://blog.istandardproducers.com/2010/12/billboard-ranks-hip-hops-top-charting-producers/ . October 8, 2011 .
  73. Web site: SESAC 14th Annual New York Music Awards (video) . Sesac.com . December 5, 2010 . November 30, 2011.

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