We've loved rolling out new content this year here at channel.WAV, and we're gonna keep that trend going. Today, we're focusing on a new monthly feature, highlighting an artist/band/group we think you should know about. We're kicking it off with an exciting and ingenious hip-hop act out of Minneapolis, Ricki Monique!
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| Image by Awa Mally, courtesy of Ricki's Instagram |
"IMMORTAL" is something truly unique: a whole-hearted collaboration between Ricki and the community she's found and built in her hometown of Minneapolis. "I come from a perspective of someone who does community organizing. In Minnesota, my friend Za'Nia and I started an organization in 2017 called Tangible Collective, which centers Black thought and Black expression through arts and curated events," she says. There's parallels to be drawn between her approach to community-building and Chicago rapper Noname's commitment to much of the same. That influence extends to Ricki's music, saying Noname taught her "that there is always a space for Black women to tell their stories."
Community is at the forefront of the music video and in Ricki's creative process, evident in the extensive network operating behind-the-scenes. The directors, producer, design and fashion stylists, actors, and jeweler are all Minneapolis-based.
And sonically, even geographically, Minneapolis pours forth from every nook and cranny of "IMMORTAL". "There's definitely a renaissance happening in Minnesota and in Minneapolis specifically," Ricki told me. "The artists that are here right now like Dua [Saleh], like papa mbye, those artists are very much in this space of music that is very much alternative and indie in a way."
Still, Ricki's sound exists in a continuum of the neo-soul influence from the '90s, far from the modern, alternative groove of her previously-mentioned peers. "I'm very inspired by Lauryn Hill, very inspired by Erykah Badu, D'Angelo." Yet, she isn't without her modern influences. Recently, Ricki and the team behind the music video hit a career high, garnering the attention of SZA herself. "We couldn't get work done for the rest of the day. Like, what are we to do at this point? We've done our jobs at this point. If I died today I'd be happy," she says, laughing, in regards to her music video's unexpected appearance on SZA's Instagram story. "Her music has helped me through so much."
The track, produced by (and featuring) yourbeautifulruin features completely live instrumentation -- something rather unheard of in hip-hop today. "A lot of the musicians you hear on 'IMMORTAL' are his resources, his friends... and that's just how he works, he lets his network take his music to the next level."
yourbeautifulruin makes a guest appearance in the music video, delivering his surreal chorus from behind a bar. His influence in the production of Ricki's "IMMORTAL" has spurred her into a new, still not fully-formed creative direction: "...I think I'm just kind of finding my sound and what I like in my pocket and my ear. I don't know where I'll align in a couple years." His album, The Idle Mind, released in early 2020, but recently has been gaining traction in wider music circles.
In regards to the rest of the EP's sound, Ricki says, "it's a lot of soul, a lot of jazz, a lot of pretty chords, live drums throughout most of it. But, 'IMMORTAL' is probably the happiest sounding song on the whole EP."
In a time when lifting Black voices, particularly the voices of Black women is crucial, Ricki highlights a community of her family and friends in the video and in her lyrics. Perhaps the most stunning moment of the video comes midway, interrupting the frustrated lyrics of "FOR THE GIRLS" (a song Ricki promises is on the forthcoming EP) and ushering in the joy of "IMMORTAL". In a diner, a young Ricki portrayed by a close friend's sister, is told by her mother: "Everything's not always going to be perfect. It's okay to make mistakes." The moment seems cathartic, therapeutic, almost -- the artist herself states, "I think we forgot how big of a deal that moment was until after we released [IMMORTAL']." It seems like a tender tribute to those Ricki considers her biggest influences as a storyteller.
Off to an unbelievably strong start so early into the year, Ricki Monique seems intent on providing a stellar debut to a ready world. Fans will have to wait until at least March for Good Seeds, but in the meantime they can expect another single soon (accompanied by merchandise and hopefully, dear God, please, a vinyl record pressing). Additionally, she asks fans to support the brands featured in the video and her organization, Tangible Collective, through a donation link, where all funds go towards programming for artists during 2022.
Needless to say, all of us here at channel.WAV will be watching Ricki's career with an excited eye. We'll see you back here tomorrow for our Friday Roundup!
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You can find Ricki on the following platforms:
- Twitter (@Rickluvn)
- Instagram (@rickimonique)
In other, but not as equally exciting news, you can now follow us on Instagram (@channel.wav). We'll see you there!
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