After releasing some incredible singles throughout the first half of 2018, Rico Nasty released her debut album Nasty on Atlantic Friday. The uncompromising project continues to build the DMV rapper's strong confrontational style, and an immediate highlight comes with "Countin' Up," a Kenny Beats-produced track that brings out ferocious raps from Rico, but also contains a familiar bassline. That bassline belongs to N.O.R.E.'s "Superthug," the early Neptunes collaboration that set the tone for the production duo's early 00s run. This interpolation is a little less glossy, but possesses the same infectious bounce. On the hook, Rico even nods to the iconic "what, what!" exclamations from the original, but otherwise makes it her own. While the nod might seem obvious coming from a Pharrell-worshipping artist like Tyler, The Creator, with Rico, it seems like a suprising, perfectly executed Easter egg. It'll likely be some listeners' first time hearing the groove. Maybe they'll make their way back through the Neptunes discography, maybe they won't, but either way, the history is being represented.
Stream the album here.
Quotable Lyrics:
I'm the bitch with the long hair and the top off
Talk tough, like a bottle top, we twist your top off
Had to hit the turn quick, just to get the narcs off
I'm the real deal shawty and you just the knock off
Shake it up - no Coca Cola, I'm the one that pop off
Hit me on my Motorola if you need some narcos