Ricco Barrino

Hailing from North Point, Carolina, Ricco Barrino has established himself as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist through numerous prominent guest spots alongside his own contemporary R&B output. As Fantasia Barrino’s brother, he is also the nephew of Julius, Nathaniel, and Perry Barrino, who issued a 1973 album on the Invictus label as the Barrino Brothers. Momentum built once his independently issued 2006 single “Bubble Gum” reached Jason Geter, co-founder with T.I. of the Atlantic-affiliated Grand Hustle imprint. That connection prompted several understated Grand Hustle-linked tracks, among them appearances on T.I.’s “Porn Star,” Yung LA’s “Futuristic Love,” and B.o.B.’s “Fifth Dimension.” Although he was briefly part of the Grand Hustle roster, Barrino departed amicably without delivering a full-length project. By the close of 2015 he had already lent his voice to sessions with Fantasia, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Angie Stone, 8Ball & MJG, Young Dro, and Colonel Loud while circulating mixtapes such as Twenty 12 Play and Musical Evolution. Further progress arrived in 2016 with guest spots on Nick Grant’s “The Sing Along,” E-40’s “Somebody,” and additional cuts, followed by the joint EP Vibe alongside rapper Tigo B and the solo release Ferrari Infidelity.