Get To Know: Rio Rainz

Rio Rainz, the young and talented singer-songwriter of Irish and Jamaican descent, began his musical journey at just six years old where he would play the keyboard at a performing arts school in North London. The now 18-year-old Rio, who lives in East London went viral online with his single 'Favourite Girl', which was sitting on his phone for a year before he chose to release it with encouragement from his friends.

Speaking on the importance of expressing his vulnerability through his music and shying away from stereotypes toxic masculinity, Rio embraces his emotions and insecurities as he releases intimate ballads. His musical maturity transcends his age as he speaks intimately of heartbreak, friendships and pain through innovative lyricism and melody.

We sat down with young singer songwriter ahead of his new music video release.

His actual first name is Rio, but Rainz isn't his surname. He spoke of the contradiction of originality between the mix of authenticity and reinvention: "I have Rio because I like the originality, but Rainz isn't so I guess that contradicts itself. When I was in school people would just call me Rainz, I'm not too sure why, a lot of people in my circle were calling me that and its expanded into my artistry."

Rio is currently preparing for his debut performance, at Brighton's Great Escape Festival. The eclectic music festival showcases niche, underground artists, locking off the whole of Brighton Pier for the occasion. He dismissed his nerves for the event: "I'm actually not nervous, for me, I'm navigating that nervous energy, its to showcase me to people that don't know me, its an opportunity. Whatever show I do, it's important for me to leave my mark for people after to be like, why did he do this, why did he do that. It's about making a stand, making a mark."

And although he has recently emerged on the UK underground scene, Rio is certainly making his mark.

When it comes to his art, Rio recognises the importance of presenting your image in a multi-faceted way; both visually and audibly. His music videos showcase his fashion style as well as his musical style, connecting with his audience as much as he can. He shared that he has recently bought a camcorder, to record his life and musical goings-ons, to take his fans on his journey with him.

Rio hasn't let his age come in the way of his success; he shared that he would turn up at the recording studio in his school uniform, and meet with producers still in his blazer. His teachers supported his musical journey, helping him plan meetings with record labels around his school work. Rio featured on BlackBox's 2019's hardest Under 18s, which amassed over a million streams, placing him in the limelight at just fifteen.

When it was released, Rio shared that people from school would come up to him, congratulating him on its release. Reflecting on the music he would make when starting out, Rio expressed pride towards the changes he has gone through in the last three years, and the changes that are yet to come: "Two years from now, I can see myself making something that I never expected, that’s the beautiful thing about reinventing yourself. The way I look at it is that I am human, I'm going to experience things and go through highs and lows, and I'm going to see that, and place it into my music."

Rio shared that he has used music therapeutically, using his genuine experiences in his clever lyricism: "If I'm in a situation and I'm down bad, I use music as a gateway, its a therapeutic thing more than anything. The feelings attached to situations are relatable; I want to share my honest thoughts and opinions, and form an intimate connection with my listeners."

You can listen to more of Rio Rainz' music on Spotify or follow his journey on Instagram.