I know I often write about mainstream artists who are going to rack up millions of plays regardless of an article written by me or not, but I simply enjoy writing about music that I personally enjoy. While these big names might draw more attention than smaller, up-and-comers, if I hear something I actually enjoy, I’m going to try my best to write about it regardless of an emcee’s following or monthly listener numbers.
One artist who I’ve had on my radar for a minute is Riqo the Menace, and even though he’s still a very new and underappreciated talent, I can’t let some of his awesome releases go unnoticed, and once you take a moment to listen, you’ll understand exactly why. Recently, he decided to drop two new tracks in order to further diversify his already strong sonic portfolio, and I couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about the results.
The first song is called “liveweliveptQ” which features a mystical, lighthearted instrumental that contains some deep, stimulating 808s and tapping hats that provide a magical, transcending foundation for Riqo to do his thing. When he comes in, his deep voice is the perfect juxtaposition to the pure, buoyant production, and the way his words roll off of his tongue has me thinking that he’s just gliding over the beat effortlessly. As he rotates through various cadences, his story is pieced together incredibly well, coming full circle for a narrative that’s not only captivating but a story that’s also as masterful and impressive as it gets.
The other track is called “sighfreestyle” and contains an instrumental that’s equally tranquil, but it includes a bit of a jazzier vibe that works with Riqo’s style even better, in my opinion. His flow starts out quickly which allows him to slow down and emphasize his points at his leisure, as he further explains his backstory in the form of a freestyle that has you thinking that he has been planning out his words for years.
If you’re unfamiliar with Riqo’s music, one thing that might intrigue you is the fact that his vocals remind me of Houston’s very own Maxo Kream, yet his personal narrative is unique and distinctive to himself and his own experiences, making him an artist you need to check out immediately. This two-pack of songs is enough to quench your thirst, but it’ll leave you hungry for more, so make sure you give them a listen before diving head-first into the rest of his very powerful and impressive discography.