DJ COMMUNITY

RickRated - "Jakes"

Rising artist RickRated just dropped a hot new single titled "Jakes". Check it out below and follow him on social media for his latest releases.

What is your name?

Name is RickRated, from my father the original Rick Rated.

Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?

My newest song “Jakes” was brought on by a mix of women related headaches, racism, and police injustice. Though the song was written before the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I felt it was important to allow a respectful amount of time to pass before this release for people to focus on the protests and a quest for justice.

What is unique about you and your music?

I would like to think my sound and versatility makes me stand apart from most other artists. I pride myself on making sure I have an individual sound that’s unlike any other. My music comes from my day to day life, the things I’ve experienced, and the things that I feel. Therefore you never know what kind of song I’m going to make next.

What shaped your music?

Stories of the well known original Rick Rated. My father was murdered when I was 8 but all the OG’s who knew him always tell me what a “Legend” he was. All the big homies from the CD and even a lot from Tacoma. Everyone had love for Rick Rated. Rick Rated was even the one who taught Sir-Mix-a-lot how to rap! I kid you not, you know that song “My Posse’s on Broadway”? That song was written word for word by Rick Rated. That was his flow and everything, the only thing mix-a-lot changed in the song was his name. I’m often stopped my strangers who can guess that was my dad just because I’m apparently a spitting image. I’ve heard so many stories of how great he was. The pressure can become a little overwhelming, but I’ve got some big shoes to fill.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

it’s always been the dream, since I could speak I’d been hearing these stories about my dad so that all I ever wanted to do was rap and make music. Since I could speak my goal has been to be a famous Rapper. A household name.

What type of music do you listen to?

It really Varies depending on my mood. I listen to a lot of King Von, and Mike Sherm, Nipsey Hussle, bfb Packman, and BaayBaay Headbussa comin up fast out here too. But like I said it depends on my mood. Sometimes I want to listen to more soulful music with passion and purpose so I’ve got an old school playlist full of artists like New Edition, Bill Withers (god rest his soul that man needs a movie) Etta James, Keith Sweat, Isley brothers, Witney Houston, and more. It really depends.

What inspires you to write music?

like I said before I’m inspire by the things I experience in my daily life, sometimes my music can be really aggressive, others it can be passionate and meaningful, while other it’s just for the sake of the party/ vibe.

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?

Every spare second and dollar is dedicated to my music and my one sole goal. If I’m not actually making or writing music, I’m marketing, branding, working on cover arts, show appearances, cameos, music videos, story lines, there’s so much more involved with being a rapper than just “Rapping” most people don’t take into account. I really don’t have much free time other than the music.

Happiness to you is…

Success. Happiness to me, is being financially secure enough to provide for my family without worry. I don’t want my kids having to get up and work like a slave their whole life to barley make it by and get caught in this pathetic cycle our government calls the “American Dream”.

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

invest in yourself. Believe me it’s worth it. When artists have to work a job day to day to provide and pay rent it’s easy for $100-$200 to seem like a lot of money to pay for something that’s not going to directly or immediately get you a bunch of followers, or listeners over night, it’s not. You’re only cheating yourself. Create a brand, a sound, and and image, do your research, and invest in yourself. Anyone can do it.

Tell us about your upcoming projects...

Jakes is out now but I have mutiple singles dropping everywhere soon. Including “Talk Talk” (feat. BaayBaay), “Communication” (feat. Zhanea June), “Take a Risk” and “Throw a Bone”

Where do we find you music / music projects?

all of my music is available on SoundCloud as of right now. The latest release “Jakes” is available on all streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, etc.) and all music in the future will be available on all major platforms. Went through a little hiccup for a few years with digital distribution but were back up and running now and looking to release a song once a month everywhere!

Any last words for the readers?

follow me on all social media platforms, twitter, instagram, Facebook! Feel free to talk to me, I talk back! I love all my fans and supporters! “Jakes” Official Music Video is on youtube now!