Rico Love

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rico Love

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Richard Preston Butler, Jr.
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Instrument =
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = rapper, songwriter
Years_active = 2003 - present
Label = Division 1/Crownworld Ent./US Records/J Records/The Union Party
URL = [http://www.ricoloveonline.com www.ricoloveonline.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Rico Love is an American rapper, songwriter, and producer.

Biography

Rico was born in New Orleans, but when his parents divorced he split his time between Milwaukee and Harlem. He enrolled at the legendary African-American Childrens Theater at 10, but soon left to become part of the hip-hop circuit, where he won many various rap battles & talent shows. Later on he went to college at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. In Milwaukee, he attended Believer's In Christ Christian Training Academy, which allowed for him to express his musical talents. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta to pursue a career as a rap artist. While there, he opened at a concert for Usher, leading to him becoming the first artist signed to Usher's label, US Records, a subsidiary of J Records. [ [http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/rico-love_profile.html Artist Profile - Rico Love ] ]

Division 1 Records

Rico manages his own independent record label, Division 1 Records, based in Milwaukee. Artists on the label include R&B singer Le'Che Martin (who was on MTV's Making tha Band 3) and rappers Scottie Knoxx, B. Rossi aka (Ay-Wun), RayNitti, Killa Khalid, and Kashus.

Other notabilities

* Protege of rapper Mase.
* Rico is also a songwriter, writing hits such as Usher's "Throwback," and Marques Houston's "All Because of You." In fact, VIBE magazine hails him as the second-best songwriter in R&B, behind only Ne-Yo.Fact|date=July 2007
* Despite having lived in five different cities in his lifetime (and currently living in Lithonia, Georgia), Rico considers Milwaukee his hometown.Fact|date=July 2007
* Often mentions in his raps that he has never sold any drugs, but still makes very much money and gets a lot of women. (His track, "Money Right", dissed the drug-rap culture, citing its negative influence on today's youth, and could be interpreted as a shot at Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and/or several others.)
* Currently on hiatus from active rapping; part of songwriting/production team Runawayz with Ryan Tedder (of OneRepublic), Sam Watters (formerly of Color Me Badd), Wayne Wilkins, and Louis Biancaniello.
*He also currently finished up work on a few singles for Ciara's new album "Fantasy Ride", including one titled "Click, Flash". Her album is set for release in November.

ongwriting credits

* "Throwback" by Usher (feat. Jadakiss)
* "All Because Of You" by Marques Houston (feat. Young Rome)
* "I Wasn't Ready" by Marques Houston
* "I Wish" by Omarion later done by Danity Kane
* "I'm Gone Change" by Omarion
* "U Got Me" by B5 (feat. P. Diddy)
* "I Bet" by TLC (was the song Chilli and T-Boz performed with O'so Krispie, the winner of their UPN reality show R U the Girl, and made the album )
* "Seen the Light" by Chris Brown (feat. Rico Love)
* "U Make Me Say" by Q originally recorded by Donell Jones
* "Baby it's You" by Donell Jones
* "You Didn't Love Me" by Donell Jones
* "Silly of Me" by Donell Jones
* "Want It From Me" by Danity Kane
* "Could This Be Love" by One Chance
* "Everything You Need" by Nephu
* "Smile" by Lea
* "Read My Mind" by Lea
* "Love Me Like You Used To" by Megan Rochell
* "Let It Go" by Tenesha
* "All I Can Say" by Tank now by L2
* "I Wish You Loved Me" by Tynisha Keli
* "Love Like This" by Natasha Bedingfield (feat. Sean Kingston)
* "Beautiful Nitemare" by Beyonce
* "Hello Heartbreak" by Michelle Williams
* "Click, Flash" by Ciara
* "Energy" by Keri Hilson
* "The Greatest" by Michelle Williams
* "Lucky Girl" by Michelle Williams
* "Turn The Lights Out" by Cassie
* "Barely Breathe" by Pussycat Dolls
* "Angel" by Natasha Bedingfield
* "Year of the Lover" by Lloyd

"Note: Since August of 2007, several demos of songs Rico wrote for other artists have leaked via file-sharing sites and urban music blogs. This happened without Rico's permission, and in numerous cases, the songs were obviously written for female artists. Here is a list of such demos-should you spot them on any streaming sites, report them to site management immediately!"

*"So Beautiful" (written for Tynisha Keli, produced by Timbaland)
*"Body Talk"
*"Still In My Heart"
*"Get Away" (with Aaron; an unrelated Rico Love collabo with Le'Che Martin and produced by Rich Harrison with the same name is legitimate)
*"Slow Down"
*"LA Girls"
*"Driving Like A Bitch"
*"Killa"
*"Human Nature" (with K. Smith)
*"Watch Me Go (with Yui)
*"As Good" (demo for Usher)
*"Fight For Love"
*"Wanna Know"
*"Bad Ass"
*"Wanted (2008)*

Discography

Albums

* "The 5th Element" (scheduled to be released summer 2008)"

Singles

"from soundtrack to In the Mix (2005)"
* "Settle Down"
* "Sweat (Feat. Usher)
* "On the Grind" feat. Paul Wall and Juelz Santana"from The 5th Element " (2007)
* "I'm a Pimp" (Feat. Bo Hagon & Jody Breeze)
* "Don't Stop"
* "What You Sayin'" (Feat. Usher)
* "Catch My Breath"
* "Best in the World"
* "Money Right"
* "It's OK"
* "Bang Out" feat. Rock City
*"Bad ass" [2oo8] "Album appearances":
* "Break 'Em Off for Life" (Bone Crusher feat. Hezo, Dano, Jack Frost, & Rico Love) from AttenCHUN! - 2003
* "Gotta Getcha (Remix)" (Jermaine Dupri feat. Rico Love and Usher) from Young, Fly & Flashy, Vol. 1 - 2005
* "I'm So" (Le'Che Martin feat. Rico Love) from Let's - 2006
* "Get Away" (Le'Che Martin feat. Rico Love) from "Let's" - 2006
* "That's Me" (Omarion feat. Rico Love) from 21 (digital bonus download) - 2006
* "Look At Her" (remix) (One Chance feat. Rico Love and Fabo) - 2007
* "Take a Chance" (One Chance feat. Rico Love) from "Private" - 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.ricoloveonline.com Rico Love Online]