East London-hailing Rio Rainz blends genre into one sumptuous sonic smoothie. Taking from a wide variety of styles, from reggae to rap, pop to D&B, indie to country, the 19-year-old artist upholds creativity, innovation and charisma across his increasingly savvy discography.
The young talent recently unveiled his new EP, “cobwebs in my room”, a six-pronged body of work that flaunts his stylistic breath and focused vision as an artist. Featuring production from Dom Valentino and Kurisu, and a collaboration with alternative lynchpin Finn Foxell, the project cements the acclaim of the promising newcomer as he swiftly rises through the ranks.
We caught up with Rainz to discuss the new EP, his music origins, and his forthcoming debut headline show.
Listen to the EP…
Read the interview…
Hi Rio! Congratulations on your new single and EP. Can you tell us a bit about the track “dancing in the dark” and the story behind it?
Hey what’s good! “dancing in the dark” found its inspiration during the initial stages of a new romance, a time when both of us cherished our privacy. The track delves into the emotions and experiences of that period, and it always brings back a rush of nostalgia when I give it a listen.
How did you first get into music, and who were your earliest influences?
I used to attend a performance school on weekends, it was a creative space filled with likeminded individuals. this creative space played a significant role in nurturing my confidence. It’s where I had my very first performance at the age of 6! This was the place where I learned the art of acting & performing, although I must admit, my dancing skills regrettably never matched up. I drew my artistic inspiration from the American scenes, with XXXTentacion being the primary influence behind my creative journey.
How do you approach the creative process when writing and producing your music?
I’m a very visual thinker. when in the initial stages of writing a track. I almost brainstorm a cinematic music video with me placed in it. That’s where i decide if the track will be written in a hypothetical state. or if i’m reliving my past. Afterwards, i don’t think or write anything. I lay down what comes to my head first. That way i know it’s real to the way I feel.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that you think helped shape who you are as an artist today?
Earlier this year I released a track titled “favourite girl” and at that time i sensed that not many people believed in it as fondly as I did. However, since its release, it has achieved an impressive milestone of one million streams. This experience reaffirmed the importance of always trusting my initial instincts when it comes to my creative work.
How would you define your artistic essence today?
Throughout translating my real life experiences in my music, I’d label it authentic & raw. Continuously, i’m capturing my innermost thoughts, emotions and experiences. I now find comfort sharing them through my art. within this process, I’ve undoubtedly discovered my own unique identity. I’m confident that can truly sense this when you listen my music.
How do you think this new chapter represents your musical evolution since your Black Box freestyle presentation?
The sounds I’ve harnessed for this project have certainly evolved. while each track possesses its distinctive style, they all share a cohesive identity that becomes increasingly apparent over time. I’m simply staying true to myself, and that genuine essence is now a consistent thread in the music I release. this EP, I believe, represents the maturity and growth I’ve experienced since my earlier discography.
What sets this new EP apart from your previous work? And what excites you most about this new project?
This EP marks a significant departure from the last as I’ve delved into more experimental genres and cadences, while also embracing new experiences. This experimentation sets this EP apart from my previous work. To be honest, I’d like to chat about what gets me excited about this project, but when I dropped it, there was this weird mix of emotions. It got personal, you know? sharing stuff that’s close to my heart with the world, it’s a bit surreal. nevertheless, I can’t wait to preform these tracks at my debut headline show December 7th!
What can fans expect from your live performances, and do you have any upcoming shows or tours in the works?
The level of detail we’re putting into the upcoming shows is incredible. i’ll be rocking out with my band, sharing during those brief breaks, and for the rest, well, i’ll keep that as a thrilling secret. The impact I aim to make on those nights are immense, the adrenaline I have is beyond words.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as a musician?
I want my music to take me to new destinations all over the world, i’m dedicated to creating beautiful tracks whilst sharing life’s adventures with my loved ones, and beautiful people I meet along the way.
Finally, what’s next for you in your musical journey, and what are you most looking forward to in the future?
New sounds, new shows, new merch. New experiences, new love, new pain. What truly excites me is staying true to myself and expressing gratitude every step of the way in this vast journey. I genuinely believe that my music will resonate and touch the hearts of those who listen and join me on this pathway.