Rico Love
Rico Love in 2009
Rico Love in 2009
Background information
Birth nameRichard Preston Butler Jr.
Born (1982-12-03) December 3, 1982
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
OriginMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • singer
  • rapper
Years active2003–present
Labels
Children2
Websitewelovemusicconference.com

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 would become 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,[2] Usher's Raymond v. Raymond (2009),[3] and the albums single, "There Goes My Baby".[3] He also co-wrote "Heart Attack" for Trey Songz, which received a nomination for the award.[4] 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".[5][6][7] He's also been credited on material for artists including Kelly Rowland,[8] Mario,[9] Chris Brown,[10] Alexandra Burke, Keri Hilson,[11] Fergie,[12] and Fantasia.[13]

As a recording artist, Butler released two studio albums: TTLO (2015) and Even Kings Die (2018). The former album contained the single "They Don't Know". He is also the CEO of Division1, a record label which ran as a short-lived imprint of Interscope Records in 2013.[14] As a singer, he's co-performed on records for T.I.,[15][16] Jermaine Dupri, Jamie Foxx,[17] Rich Boy,[18] and Fat Joe.[19]

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.[20] Love's mother encouraged him as a child to write poetry.[21] Love wrote his own poems and went on to joining the African American Children's Theater where he recited Langston Hughes and acted.[20][21] Love had already been writing his own poems before he was introduced to rap in his early teens.[22] 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."[21]

While in college at Florida A&M University Love stayed involved in his music by winning many rap battles and talent shows.[21] On the weekends Love would leave for Atlanta, Georgia for the benefit of its studios and popular music scene.[21] While visiting Atlanta Love met members of Jagged Edge who were an influence on Love's songwriting development.[21] Love eventually left college because of a paperwork error made by the college's administration's office.[21] Love went to live with some local Atlanta producers the Corna Boyz.[21] This relationship provided Love the opportunity to rap on a remix the producers were creating for Usher.[21] 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.[21] This song eventually became "Throwback" and was featured on Usher's Diamond-selling (10× Platinum) Confessions album.[21][23] Love next toured with Usher where he met and connected with many music industry players.[21] Usher encouraged Love to become a songwriter and requests for Love's compositions began coming from artists Chris Brown, Omarion, and Marques Houston.[20][21] 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.[24] Love was asked by Usher to contribute to the soundtrack to the film In the Mix.[25] Love contributed "Settle Down", "Sweat" featuring Usher, and "On the Grind" featuring Juelz Santana and Paul Wall.[26] 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.[27] 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,[19] Juvenile,[28] Rich Boy,[18] Jamie Foxx,[17] T.I.,[15] and his own artist, Young Chris.[29]

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.[30][31][32]

On August 27, 2014, Rico Love released a mixtape entitled I Sin.[33][34][35] On December 2, 2014, Rico Love would release the lead single from his debut studio album, entitled "Somebody Else".[36]

On February 18, 2015, Rico Love announced he would be releasing his debut studio album, titled Turn The Lights On, on May 19, 2015.[37] On May 5, 2015, Rico Love would release the second single from Turn The Lights On entitled "Days Go By".[38] 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.[39][40]

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

Production/songwriting

Rico Love (left) and Usher

Love wrote the song "Throwback" at the request of Usher which was a part of the 2004 triple Grammy-winning album Confessions.[20][41] Love also wrote "Seduction" which was a bonus track on the Confessions special edition release.[42] 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.[43] This song was popular with mainstream audiences reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[43] The song was also a hit in dance clubs, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.[43]

In May 2008, "Energy" was released as the first single by Keri Hilson from her Gold album In a Perfect World....[44][45] The song was co-written and co-produced by Love for the Grammy-nominated artist.[44] The song "Labels or Love", co-written and produced by Love and performed by Fergie was released in May 2008.[46] 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.[12][47] In November 2008, Beyoncé's double Platinum[48] and 5× Grammy-winning album I Am... Sasha Fierce included four songs featuring Love's songwriting and production.[49] Love wrote and produced on the Platinum single "Sweet Dreams" which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[49] Love's work was also featured on "Scared of Lonely", "Radio", and "Save the Hero".[49] 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.[50][51] "Boyfriend #2" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[52] Love wrote and produced five songs on Mario's D.N.A. album released in October 2009.[53] The songs included the single "Thinkin' About You" and "Hi", "Ooh Baby", "Soundtrack to My Broken Heart", and "Get Out".[53]

Love wrote and produced on his former mentor Usher's Raymond v. Raymond album, released in March 2010.[54] The Platinum and Grammy-winning album featured four of Love's compositions including two of the album's singles.[3][55] 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.[3][56] 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.[56] Love's other contributions to the album included the songs "Making Love (Into the Night)" and "So Many Girls".[54] At the end of March 2010 the single "Hello Good Morning" penned by Love for Diddy – Dirty Money was released.[57] Diddy is one of Love's mentors in the industry and he was honored to write for the performer/producer/mogul.[20] The song went on to achieve Gold status and was performed by DDM and Rico Love on season nine of American Idol.[57][58] Nelly's 5.0 album, released in November 2010 contained eight works featuring Love's songwriting and production skills.[59] 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.[60][61] Love also worked on the single "Gone" featuring Kelly Rowland, a follow-up to the 2002 Nelly hit "Dilemma" also featuring Rowland.[62] 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".[59] Love wrote, produced, and appeared as an artist on Jamie Foxx's Best Night of My Life album released December 2010.[63] The album's first single "Living Better Now" features Rick Ross and was co-written and co-produced by Love.[64][65] Love wrote "Freak", which also features his appearance as an artist, and "Sex On the Beach".[64][66][67] Love is managed by Made Communication, Miami, Florida.[7]

He has also written and produced for Fergie, Chris Brown, ASAP Rocky, David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa, and Mary J. Blige.[68]

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.[69][70] 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.[20][71][72] 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.[20][21][73]

Love has explained when composing he does not write lyrics down or even spend many hours working on songs.[7] He simply listens to a beat and then sings what comes to him.[21] He was quoted as learning this technique from Jagged Edge.[20][21] 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.[20]

Discography

Studio albums
  • The 5th Element (2007) Shelved
  • Turn the Lights On (2015)
  • Even Kings Die (2018)
  • Rico Love Presents: Emerging Women of R&B (2020)
EPs
  • Discrete Luxury (2013)
  • Turn The Lights On (2015)
Singles
  • "They Don't Know" (2013)
  • "Bitches Be Like" (2014
  • "Somebody Else" (2015)

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ "Rico Love 'Presents: Emerging Women of R&B' with new album". May 8, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Past Winners Search | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners | GRAMMY.com". May 3, 2012. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rico Love | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Song Search :: SESAC". www.sesac.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Song Search :: SESAC". www.sesac.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Rico Love". SESAC. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Nelly and Kelly reunite". Star Observer. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Rico Love Says Diddy-Dirty Money Album Will Be Worth the Wait". Rap-Up.com. April 28, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Exclusive: Songwriter Rico Love Talks Chris Brown's "Amazing" Songwriting Progress". Neonlimelight.com. July 9, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Rico Love: The Music Industry Is Like High School". The Urban Daily. June 8, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Fergie Has Sex and the City's Theme, 'Labels Or Love'". California: Prnewswire.com. May 5, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Rico Love Talks About Fantasia's New Album: "I Wanted to Show People Her Seductive Side" - That Grape Juice". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Rico Love's Division 1/Universal Motown Launch Party". VIBE. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "New Video: T.I. x Rico Love "Lay Me Down"". Rap Radar. January 26, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Music: Usher feat. Rico Love – She's Got It". Thisisrnb.com. December 2, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Jamie Foxx Featuring Rico Love: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  18. 1 2 "Rich Boy ft. Rico Love – We Like It". Hiphopmusicdotcom.com. November 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Fat Joe Ft. Rico Love – No Problems | HipHopLEAD.com: New Hip Hop Music, Hip Hop Mixtapes, Rap Videos". HipHopLEAD.com. July 9, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Rico Love: Songwriter Extraordinaire". Parlemag.com. February 10, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Last Word Public Relations". Pokform.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  22. ↑ http://new.music.yahoo.com/rico-love/news/rapper-taps-into-hip-hop-roots-to-craft-pop-hits—61998180
  23. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Producer Rico Love Working With Dr. Dre, T.I., Pleasure P – The Juice". Billboard. November 29, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  25. ↑ Vibe. Vibe Media. February 2000. p. 80. Retrieved November 30, 2011 – via Internet Archive. rico love usher in the mix.
  26. ↑ Kellman, Andy (November 14, 2005). "In the Mix [Music from the Motion Picture] – Usher". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  27. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE Interview: Turn The Lights ON! – Rico Love – TheNext2Shine:Exclusive RNB Music Downloads". Blog.thenext2shine.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Juvenile ft Rico Love – Im Out Chere | Audio". Rap Basement. November 25, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  29. ↑ "New Music: Young Chris f/ Rico Love – 'Break a Bitch Down'". Rap-Up.com. October 15, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  30. ↑ "El Presidente Mixtape by Rico Love". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  31. ↑ "El Presidente". HNHH. December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Rico Love - el Presidente Mixtape". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  33. ↑ "I Sin Mixtape by Rico Love". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  34. ↑ "I Sin". HNHH. August 27, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Rico Love - I Sin Mixtape". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Somebody else - Single by Rico Love on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Rico Love's Debut LP is a Concept Album - XXL". February 18, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Rico Love - Days Go by (Audio) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Turn the Lights on by Rico Love". iTunes. May 18, 2015. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Turn the Lights on". Amazon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  41. ↑ GRAMMY.com. "GRAMMY Rewind: 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  42. ↑ Kellman, Andy (March 23, 2004). "Confessions [Special Edition] – Usher". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  43. 1 2 3 https://www.billboard.com/artist/natasha-bedingfield/chart-history/
  44. 1 2 "Energy". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Pop Singer Keri Hilson Debut Album In a Perfect World is Certified... – SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/". California: Prnewswire.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Labels Or Love: Fergie: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  48. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  49. 1 2 3 "I Am...Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  50. ↑ "Boyfriend No. 2". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  51. ↑ "2010 Grammy Nominations Released – Gowhere Hip Hop". Chicagonow.com. December 2, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  52. ↑ "I Am...Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  53. 1 2 Kellman, Andy (October 13, 2009). "D.N.A. – Mario". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  54. 1 2 Kellman, Andy (March 30, 2010). "Raymond V. Raymond – Usher". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  55. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  56. 1 2 https://www.billboard.com/artist/usher/chart-history/r%26b/hip-hop-songs
  57. 1 2 "Rico Love – "Lovers" | New Music". SoulCulture. March 19, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  58. ↑ RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  59. 1 2 Kellman, Andy (November 16, 2010). "5.0 – Nelly". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  60. ↑ "Nelly single is a platinum hit". Stltoday.com. October 7, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  61. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/artist/nelly/chart-history/
  62. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (March 8, 2011). "Nelly And Kelly Rowland's 'Gone' Video Hits The Net". MTV. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  63. ↑ Jeffries, David (December 21, 2010). "Best Night of My Life – Jamie Foxx". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  64. 1 2 J-23 (November 25, 2010). "Jamie Foxx's "Best Night of my Life" Art & Tracklisting Revealed". HipHop DX. Retrieved November 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  65. ↑ "Living Better Now". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  66. ↑ "Freak". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  67. ↑ "Sex on the Beach". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  68. ↑ "Rico Love credits". Ricolove.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Teairra Mari Signs with Rico Love's Division 1". August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  70. ↑ "Young Chris Has the Game on Smash, Says Beanie Sigel | SOHH.COM". Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  71. ↑ Geraud Blanks (December 31, 2009). "Rico Love adapts to success". JSOnline. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  72. ↑ RollerFunk.com. "Grammy nominated Producer / Singer Pierre Medor". Rollerfunk.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  73. ↑ Castillo, Arielle (October 13, 2010). "Miami's Mogul-in-the-Making Rico Love Announces New Record Label – Miami Music – Crossfade". Blogs.miaminewtimes.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  74. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120503164723/http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2009&genre=All Nominees And Winners | GRAMMY.com
  75. 1 2 "The Year In Music 2010". Billboard. December 9, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  76. ↑ "Billboard Ranks Hip Hop's Top-Charting Producers". Blog.istandardproducers.com. December 31, 2010. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  77. ↑ "SESAC 14th Annual New York Music Awards (video)". Sesac.com. December 5, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
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