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RICO PAYSOS
New York, Ny
www.myspace.com/ricopaysos
www.myspace.com/ricopaysos
Rico Paysos is one of the leading pioneers
representing a new generation of Hip Hop and
modesty isn’t doesn’t belong to his game! Having
an exquisite catalogue of past, present and
forthcoming projects, and artistic growth nurtured
within the movement of the infamous Public
Enemy, Mr Paysos has his territory firmly stabled
within the world of Hip Hop.
DaStreetBuzz takes a trip down memory lane and
breaks down the inevitable musical journey of
Rico Paysos, the next Hip Hop protégé?
DSB: You’ve been flirting within the music for a
few years, what is it that attracts you into pursuing
a professional career?
RICO PAYSOS: I was doing my thing in like the
early double O’s. I rocked with Public Enemy, in
the presence of Platinum Records, Grammy
Awards, Emmy nominations, I was surrounded by
dope music and history right in my hood. I was
caught up banging and making money and it
came out in my music, it’s what I was living, and
real talk P.E wasn’t digging it, and I was too young
and stubborn to change. I got knocked riding dirty
through the shaks, came home, went to school,
started doing my own thing, mixed my street
smarts with education; started building a fan base
marketing my product, and I enjoyed what I was
doing. They say you can never find a job you
love; I think I have.
DSB: What was the scene like when you first
started out?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m not old school at all, I’m young
I’m not 30 like most these new rappers (laughing).
representing a new generation of Hip Hop and
modesty isn’t doesn’t belong to his game! Having
an exquisite catalogue of past, present and
forthcoming projects, and artistic growth nurtured
within the movement of the infamous Public
Enemy, Mr Paysos has his territory firmly stabled
within the world of Hip Hop.
DaStreetBuzz takes a trip down memory lane and
breaks down the inevitable musical journey of
Rico Paysos, the next Hip Hop protégé?
DSB: You’ve been flirting within the music for a
few years, what is it that attracts you into pursuing
a professional career?
RICO PAYSOS: I was doing my thing in like the
early double O’s. I rocked with Public Enemy, in
the presence of Platinum Records, Grammy
Awards, Emmy nominations, I was surrounded by
dope music and history right in my hood. I was
caught up banging and making money and it
came out in my music, it’s what I was living, and
real talk P.E wasn’t digging it, and I was too young
and stubborn to change. I got knocked riding dirty
through the shaks, came home, went to school,
started doing my own thing, mixed my street
smarts with education; started building a fan base
marketing my product, and I enjoyed what I was
doing. They say you can never find a job you
love; I think I have.
DSB: What was the scene like when you first
started out?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m not old school at all, I’m young
I’m not 30 like most these new rappers (laughing).
popping, Eminem was killing them, Pun died, we were looking for someone to replace all the heroes Hip Hop lost.
The south started to make their hard run, ATL was showing how much talent was down there J.D, Usher, Lil Jon,
Luda, T.I had the A-town stomping. I remember when Power 105 came out with non-stop music trying to take Hot 97
head off! Hip Hop & Radio was entertaining, it still is, but I think a lot of the artist that are on top now, had more
hunger back then. Hip Hop needs more hungry artists, too many dudes trying to get a ring tone to pop and bow out.
DSB: Hailing from NYC, the city that birthed Hip Hop, did a lot of your peers fall into the ‘trend’ of wanting to be the
next Biggie or Jay-Z?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m from Long Island, I started my life in the X I was born in the same city Hip Hop was, but I’m from
the island, and every dude I know from the isle that makes music tries to create his own style, at least all the dope
rappers know what I mean? I went from the birthplace of Hip Hop, to be raised in the hall of Hip Hop innovators and
legends, I’m from Busta Rhymes old block (laughing), I chill and record in Chuck D’s crib with Flav and Juice, I’m
from the same place as Rakim, De La Soul, I party with Biz Markie at Tabu all the time, EPMD, and Leaders of the
New School. I know a lot of wanna be big’s and hov’s but I know a lot of hungry dudes with boat loads of creativity.
DSB: How would you describe your music outside of the category of Hip Hop?
RICO PAYSOS: Why would my music be anything but hip hop? (Laughing) Come on baby, this is what I do. Unless
of course I’m writing something for Ne-Yo, Trey or Ginuwine to sing then we can call me R&B, I’ll ghost write
anything, whether it be rock, alternative, Hip Hop, etcetera, etcetera but Rico Paysos makes Hip Hop Music that’s
bout all there is to it.
DSB: When did you release your first mix tape ‘Once Upon A Crime’ and how were you promoting it?
RICO PAYSOS: “Once Upon A Crime” was right when I came home, I didn’t have the biggest budget, it was a
learning experience, it helped me lock in my first 500 some odd fans, this was way before “The Best Thing Since
Free Air & Raw Sex” or the “Aww Yeah” started popping.
DSB: You later released ‘"Child Rising in Poverty" and "Dope Boy Fresh", where have your inspirations come from
and how does each project compare to the last?
RICO PAYSOS: "Child Rising In Poverty”, was a transitional phase in my life, it was a time when I was rebuilding
myself to become who I am right now and the person I will eventually become, a gangster, gentlemen, & a
graduate. I was changing my environment, the people that surrounded me and my setting, I was recording with my
dude Trav Is Hip Hop, he has so much passion, he had me in the studio every night. “DopeBoyFresh” was like an
evolution, it’s when I entered the era of dopeness, this was after a long break, I was in college, wilding out, living it
up, cause I wasted my childhood gang banging, I ain’t know how to act when I got to college, you know young,
dumb & Full of cum (laughing). I think I started increasing my consistency and perfecting my song writing ability. I
had an attitude grow within me; I was tired of not having the world not know my name! “DopeBoyFresh” was my
mission for serious recognition!
DSB: You’ve been no stranger to the centre stage and performed alongside the likes of Busta Rhymes, Public
Enemy and Chris Brown, but what’s been your most memorable show and why?
RICO PAYSOS: My most memorable show was my first one, which was with Bobby V at Penn State. Two weeks
before the show I got in a crazy car crash and walked away without a scratch shit was crazy, my v was smashed up I
had a Honda accord, it turned into a Honda Accordion. I guess cause of the severity of the accident and the fact
that it was my first big gig, it is like losing your virginity, you never forget your first time!
DSB: You also performed with Def Jam College Tour and the Rap Fanatic Magazine Park Tour, how was that
experience?
RICO PAYSOS: I did a couple stops on the Def Jam College Tour, met a lot of people, made some bread, made
some fans, got my performance game up to par, I watched what the “mainstream artist” were doing, and I knew I
can blow them out the water live!!!! That is exactly what I did. Rap Fanatic Tour w/ NANTV, was some gangster shit
straight underground hip hop! I was rocking for the people it was way different than colleges. A completely different
vibe, I did a completely different array of songs. I have so much music in my catalogue, and I come from such a
diverse assortment of places, and have mixed with such a wide range of people, that I think I can rock any
demographic, white, ghetto, college, black, latino, asian, martian! It doesn’t matter, crushing the stage, tearing the
club up, is what I do! The experience helped me realize that I make music to live forever, and that I perform to be
remembered!
DSB: You are currently putting together Gallic Wars Presents Rico Paysos: The Swervy Derby Marathon. What can
we expect from this project?
RICO PAYSOS: Swervy Derby! (Laughing) This project is my introduction to the world through G-Dub. You can
expect a little taste of what is to come, something light, but believe its nothing but heat, some remixes, some
freestyles, some original records. We gonna give you Rico Paysos, I do this out the love, and cause I have fun
doing it. That’s what you gonna hear, you gonna hear a young dude enjoying life and what he does. I’m just happy
to be here!
DSB: You’re also under Gallic Wars Management, how did that situation arise and what will they be doing for you?
RICO PAYSOS: Yo! Facebook! Caesar was following my moves through my internet promotion. I went to college, I’
m a member of a few organizations, some secret societies (laughing) so my network is kind of crazy throughout the
country, like FB I got 4,500 plus friends that are real people that I have encountered through my travels, unlike
myspace which is full of bullshit spam pages. Caesar and I chopped it up bout putting some of my records on his
mixtapes, and he was like man, Rico you are the truth man! I sent C’s like 25 songs, and he loved everyone. So we
had a meeting and he told me my google is crazy all ready, but he trying to make me household! So Gallic Wars, G-
Dub Gang, our mission is trying to make Rico Paysos all over the place like wifi, ya dig!
DSB: What’s the story behind your group 4DaLoveOfMoney Inc?
RICO PAYSOS: 4daLuvOfMoney Inc. It started merely as a name to release my music under it was unofficial, I
thought of it when I was like 15 yrs old. When I went to college I learned business, graphic design, marketing,
website publishing, photography, and from all the lessons I got from Public Enemy, I began to build on
4daLuvOfmoney, and develop it, now it’s a full pledged music/publishing group under ASCAP. I know many
entrepreneurs and people with various talents so I began outsourcing people to help me per diem, as my career
began picking up, I could not handle all the workload myself. so I merged with Tawag Enterprises LLC with my dude
MadMan Lando, it is now parent company of 4daLuvOfMoney. Right now under 4daLuvOfmoney we have myself,
Groove (currently in Iraq! Hold ya head cuzz!) RozeGold Cali’O, Gully G, Noella Legere, and a group called Crush
Poe (Can’t Rush Poetry). Now where the name came from is based on the old song “For The Love Of Money” by
the O’ Jays. I swear that’s my favourite song, it’s so real. I know I’ve done some shit to get his paper, bad things,
good things, greasy things. It’s a cold world and it revolves around money for that mean green, or yin, or pounds,
or whatever monetary you stacking, people don’t care who hurt or beat, women sell they bodies, its nuts! It’s the
root of all evil and the passage to all happiness! That’s us ForTheLoveOfMoney Inc, we lookin for happiness!!!!
And that Mean Green!!!
DSB: What haS been the advantages and disadvantages of being independent?
RICO PAYSOS: I don’t know the advantages or disadvantages because I never had a deal so I don’t know what the
execs do but give you bread. I know that the work load on the artist is less and time for creativity and music is
increased. You get a budget, as an indie, its ForTheLoveOfMoney all day, hustling, grinding to get this paper so I
can push this music, and create this music.
DSB: How do you see your career with a status of longevity? How do you intend to create it?
RICO PAYSOS: I say listen to “Dopeboyfresh” that’s 06 baby, then listen to “Swervy Derby”, listen to “Sour D &
Goose”, then wait til you hear “The Addiction”. I learned from legends, I watch the relevant artist, I don’t make music
for now, I make music for tomorrow, that’s the recipe for success, that’s the recipe for longevity. I was told that the
fact that I am so versatile, and don’t have a set style.
DSB: What are your views on today’s Hip Hop scene?
RICO PAYSOS: It’s cool, there is a lot of talent out there, unfortunately it ain’t the motherfuckers with talent that are
getting the exposure…It’s like people are scared of something new, don’t be scared expand your horizons. All the
indie artists on the Envy Tape, “Sour D & Goose” are hot just about na mean, I rock to it heavy…There is a couple
dudes out that I feel, they do they thing.
DSB: How do you compare to what’s already out there?
RICO PAYSOS: I don’t compare, I contrast, I’m different, I’m unique, My opinion does matter though, what the
people think does.
DSB: Forthcoming projects with DJ Vlad and DJ Envy, what should we be expecting?
RICO PAYSOS: I got “Sour D & Goose” hosted by DJ ENVY co-hosted by your homie Paysos, this is a compilation
mixtape, it features a bunch of hot indie artists, like MoneyGwap, The Legislators, Groove. Gully G, Cali’O, Jus
Rolle’. Chicago Jones, Anonymyss, The Steppaz, Crack Val & a bunch of other motherfuckers, I can’t think of
everybody. The tape is dope, you got 4 new hot tracks from me, “Dump Dump” feat. Cali’O & Gully G, “Ass Like
Hers” feat. Lil’ Wayne, “Gator Bootz” feat. Wally Dutch & “Some Freaky Thangz” feat. Groove. I got two joints
dropping with Vlad, “Swervy Derby” & “The Addiction”, I think I’m going to surprise you with those!
DSB: What other projects are you working on?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m working on a big Indie Hip hop concert it’s going to be in BK as of right now, my man Mavarick &
I are organizing it. Right now it’s sponsored by ForTheLoveOfMoney Inc., Tawag Promo, Gallic Wars, University
Hustle Magazine, Avenue Report Magazine, Rap Fanatic, Drahma Magazine. We working on having SuperStar Jay
host the show and the mixtape! It’s gonna be a good look for NY Hip Hop!
DSB: What’s on your agenda for 2009?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m going to be innovative, that’s the main thing on my agenda….I’m trying to surprise
myself…Expect the unexpected! Aww Yeah!!!
DSB: What’s your ultimate musical goal?
RICO PAYSOS: Live Forever, make Timeless music, and live off my music!!!
Interview By Nina Carmela
nina@DaStreetBuzz.com
The south started to make their hard run, ATL was showing how much talent was down there J.D, Usher, Lil Jon,
Luda, T.I had the A-town stomping. I remember when Power 105 came out with non-stop music trying to take Hot 97
head off! Hip Hop & Radio was entertaining, it still is, but I think a lot of the artist that are on top now, had more
hunger back then. Hip Hop needs more hungry artists, too many dudes trying to get a ring tone to pop and bow out.
DSB: Hailing from NYC, the city that birthed Hip Hop, did a lot of your peers fall into the ‘trend’ of wanting to be the
next Biggie or Jay-Z?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m from Long Island, I started my life in the X I was born in the same city Hip Hop was, but I’m from
the island, and every dude I know from the isle that makes music tries to create his own style, at least all the dope
rappers know what I mean? I went from the birthplace of Hip Hop, to be raised in the hall of Hip Hop innovators and
legends, I’m from Busta Rhymes old block (laughing), I chill and record in Chuck D’s crib with Flav and Juice, I’m
from the same place as Rakim, De La Soul, I party with Biz Markie at Tabu all the time, EPMD, and Leaders of the
New School. I know a lot of wanna be big’s and hov’s but I know a lot of hungry dudes with boat loads of creativity.
DSB: How would you describe your music outside of the category of Hip Hop?
RICO PAYSOS: Why would my music be anything but hip hop? (Laughing) Come on baby, this is what I do. Unless
of course I’m writing something for Ne-Yo, Trey or Ginuwine to sing then we can call me R&B, I’ll ghost write
anything, whether it be rock, alternative, Hip Hop, etcetera, etcetera but Rico Paysos makes Hip Hop Music that’s
bout all there is to it.
DSB: When did you release your first mix tape ‘Once Upon A Crime’ and how were you promoting it?
RICO PAYSOS: “Once Upon A Crime” was right when I came home, I didn’t have the biggest budget, it was a
learning experience, it helped me lock in my first 500 some odd fans, this was way before “The Best Thing Since
Free Air & Raw Sex” or the “Aww Yeah” started popping.
DSB: You later released ‘"Child Rising in Poverty" and "Dope Boy Fresh", where have your inspirations come from
and how does each project compare to the last?
RICO PAYSOS: "Child Rising In Poverty”, was a transitional phase in my life, it was a time when I was rebuilding
myself to become who I am right now and the person I will eventually become, a gangster, gentlemen, & a
graduate. I was changing my environment, the people that surrounded me and my setting, I was recording with my
dude Trav Is Hip Hop, he has so much passion, he had me in the studio every night. “DopeBoyFresh” was like an
evolution, it’s when I entered the era of dopeness, this was after a long break, I was in college, wilding out, living it
up, cause I wasted my childhood gang banging, I ain’t know how to act when I got to college, you know young,
dumb & Full of cum (laughing). I think I started increasing my consistency and perfecting my song writing ability. I
had an attitude grow within me; I was tired of not having the world not know my name! “DopeBoyFresh” was my
mission for serious recognition!
DSB: You’ve been no stranger to the centre stage and performed alongside the likes of Busta Rhymes, Public
Enemy and Chris Brown, but what’s been your most memorable show and why?
RICO PAYSOS: My most memorable show was my first one, which was with Bobby V at Penn State. Two weeks
before the show I got in a crazy car crash and walked away without a scratch shit was crazy, my v was smashed up I
had a Honda accord, it turned into a Honda Accordion. I guess cause of the severity of the accident and the fact
that it was my first big gig, it is like losing your virginity, you never forget your first time!
DSB: You also performed with Def Jam College Tour and the Rap Fanatic Magazine Park Tour, how was that
experience?
RICO PAYSOS: I did a couple stops on the Def Jam College Tour, met a lot of people, made some bread, made
some fans, got my performance game up to par, I watched what the “mainstream artist” were doing, and I knew I
can blow them out the water live!!!! That is exactly what I did. Rap Fanatic Tour w/ NANTV, was some gangster shit
straight underground hip hop! I was rocking for the people it was way different than colleges. A completely different
vibe, I did a completely different array of songs. I have so much music in my catalogue, and I come from such a
diverse assortment of places, and have mixed with such a wide range of people, that I think I can rock any
demographic, white, ghetto, college, black, latino, asian, martian! It doesn’t matter, crushing the stage, tearing the
club up, is what I do! The experience helped me realize that I make music to live forever, and that I perform to be
remembered!
DSB: You are currently putting together Gallic Wars Presents Rico Paysos: The Swervy Derby Marathon. What can
we expect from this project?
RICO PAYSOS: Swervy Derby! (Laughing) This project is my introduction to the world through G-Dub. You can
expect a little taste of what is to come, something light, but believe its nothing but heat, some remixes, some
freestyles, some original records. We gonna give you Rico Paysos, I do this out the love, and cause I have fun
doing it. That’s what you gonna hear, you gonna hear a young dude enjoying life and what he does. I’m just happy
to be here!
DSB: You’re also under Gallic Wars Management, how did that situation arise and what will they be doing for you?
RICO PAYSOS: Yo! Facebook! Caesar was following my moves through my internet promotion. I went to college, I’
m a member of a few organizations, some secret societies (laughing) so my network is kind of crazy throughout the
country, like FB I got 4,500 plus friends that are real people that I have encountered through my travels, unlike
myspace which is full of bullshit spam pages. Caesar and I chopped it up bout putting some of my records on his
mixtapes, and he was like man, Rico you are the truth man! I sent C’s like 25 songs, and he loved everyone. So we
had a meeting and he told me my google is crazy all ready, but he trying to make me household! So Gallic Wars, G-
Dub Gang, our mission is trying to make Rico Paysos all over the place like wifi, ya dig!
DSB: What’s the story behind your group 4DaLoveOfMoney Inc?
RICO PAYSOS: 4daLuvOfMoney Inc. It started merely as a name to release my music under it was unofficial, I
thought of it when I was like 15 yrs old. When I went to college I learned business, graphic design, marketing,
website publishing, photography, and from all the lessons I got from Public Enemy, I began to build on
4daLuvOfmoney, and develop it, now it’s a full pledged music/publishing group under ASCAP. I know many
entrepreneurs and people with various talents so I began outsourcing people to help me per diem, as my career
began picking up, I could not handle all the workload myself. so I merged with Tawag Enterprises LLC with my dude
MadMan Lando, it is now parent company of 4daLuvOfMoney. Right now under 4daLuvOfmoney we have myself,
Groove (currently in Iraq! Hold ya head cuzz!) RozeGold Cali’O, Gully G, Noella Legere, and a group called Crush
Poe (Can’t Rush Poetry). Now where the name came from is based on the old song “For The Love Of Money” by
the O’ Jays. I swear that’s my favourite song, it’s so real. I know I’ve done some shit to get his paper, bad things,
good things, greasy things. It’s a cold world and it revolves around money for that mean green, or yin, or pounds,
or whatever monetary you stacking, people don’t care who hurt or beat, women sell they bodies, its nuts! It’s the
root of all evil and the passage to all happiness! That’s us ForTheLoveOfMoney Inc, we lookin for happiness!!!!
And that Mean Green!!!
DSB: What haS been the advantages and disadvantages of being independent?
RICO PAYSOS: I don’t know the advantages or disadvantages because I never had a deal so I don’t know what the
execs do but give you bread. I know that the work load on the artist is less and time for creativity and music is
increased. You get a budget, as an indie, its ForTheLoveOfMoney all day, hustling, grinding to get this paper so I
can push this music, and create this music.
DSB: How do you see your career with a status of longevity? How do you intend to create it?
RICO PAYSOS: I say listen to “Dopeboyfresh” that’s 06 baby, then listen to “Swervy Derby”, listen to “Sour D &
Goose”, then wait til you hear “The Addiction”. I learned from legends, I watch the relevant artist, I don’t make music
for now, I make music for tomorrow, that’s the recipe for success, that’s the recipe for longevity. I was told that the
fact that I am so versatile, and don’t have a set style.
DSB: What are your views on today’s Hip Hop scene?
RICO PAYSOS: It’s cool, there is a lot of talent out there, unfortunately it ain’t the motherfuckers with talent that are
getting the exposure…It’s like people are scared of something new, don’t be scared expand your horizons. All the
indie artists on the Envy Tape, “Sour D & Goose” are hot just about na mean, I rock to it heavy…There is a couple
dudes out that I feel, they do they thing.
DSB: How do you compare to what’s already out there?
RICO PAYSOS: I don’t compare, I contrast, I’m different, I’m unique, My opinion does matter though, what the
people think does.
DSB: Forthcoming projects with DJ Vlad and DJ Envy, what should we be expecting?
RICO PAYSOS: I got “Sour D & Goose” hosted by DJ ENVY co-hosted by your homie Paysos, this is a compilation
mixtape, it features a bunch of hot indie artists, like MoneyGwap, The Legislators, Groove. Gully G, Cali’O, Jus
Rolle’. Chicago Jones, Anonymyss, The Steppaz, Crack Val & a bunch of other motherfuckers, I can’t think of
everybody. The tape is dope, you got 4 new hot tracks from me, “Dump Dump” feat. Cali’O & Gully G, “Ass Like
Hers” feat. Lil’ Wayne, “Gator Bootz” feat. Wally Dutch & “Some Freaky Thangz” feat. Groove. I got two joints
dropping with Vlad, “Swervy Derby” & “The Addiction”, I think I’m going to surprise you with those!
DSB: What other projects are you working on?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m working on a big Indie Hip hop concert it’s going to be in BK as of right now, my man Mavarick &
I are organizing it. Right now it’s sponsored by ForTheLoveOfMoney Inc., Tawag Promo, Gallic Wars, University
Hustle Magazine, Avenue Report Magazine, Rap Fanatic, Drahma Magazine. We working on having SuperStar Jay
host the show and the mixtape! It’s gonna be a good look for NY Hip Hop!
DSB: What’s on your agenda for 2009?
RICO PAYSOS: I’m going to be innovative, that’s the main thing on my agenda….I’m trying to surprise
myself…Expect the unexpected! Aww Yeah!!!
DSB: What’s your ultimate musical goal?
RICO PAYSOS: Live Forever, make Timeless music, and live off my music!!!
Interview By Nina Carmela
nina@DaStreetBuzz.com