Chicago has undeniably secured itself a place as one of the strongest movements in the Hip Hop sphere. Chicago’s bustling music scene is nothing new. Social media was instrumental in removing the earplugs from a lot of Hip Hop heads.

Now, the sounds of the Windy City stream the ears of listeners worldwide.

Many may come to think of industry artists such as Twista, Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco when it comes to Chicago Hip Hop. But a new school sound has taken hold of the city.

And this sound is becoming an undeniable force in the realm of Hip Hop.

Rappers usually get the credit for being the torchbearers of a Hip Hop generation and rightfully so. But producers provide these artists a musical platform to express themselves.

One of the many producers at the center of this movement is an up and coming talent by the name of Ricco On Tha Beat.

Ricco On Tha Beat, born Ricco Cox, hails from the West Side of the Chi.

Ricco, whose new school sound is ushering in a new era, is making a name for himself on the Chicago Hip Hop underground circuit.

By the way, Ricco is only 14 years old.

“I feel like the younger movement is taking over to be honest,” Ricco said.

Ricco, who has been producing music for about two years, has an impressive resume.

He has produced for a number of rising Chicago talent, including, Matti Baybee, Edai, Tink, Breezy Montana, King Samson, Bricksquad’s Lil Mister and Swagg Dinero, Duke Da Beast and M.I.C. rapper I.L Will, to name a few.



Did I forget to mention Ricco is 14?

Ricco, who is currently a freshman at Glenbard East High School, appears to be the average teen.

“I have a few goals for school, but the main one is to just keep my grades up the whole time I’m there,” he said.

When he is not making beats, one can find Ricco chilling with his “squad” and listening to Trap and Futuristic music on his iPod.

But what separates Rico from teens his age is his insatiable thirst for music and his desire to have a hand in the music they vibe to.

“I decided to get into music because I used to just always hear music so I just started making my own,” he said.

Ricco’s favorite subject isn’t science, social studies or arithmetic. It is, however, his music composition software Fruity Loops that he is currently mastering.

Ricco is busy putting 10,000 hours into his craft utilizing this software.

According to Rico, he got his start in producing by “sitting in my room messing with FL Studio and getting help from other producers and beat makers.”



Ricco’s story is similar to Swizz Beatz. Swizzy was himself just a teenager when he first dabbled in production after he was blessed with the necessary equipment many people his age could not afford.

Ricco’s favorite production thus far is Chi Town rapper Lil Jay’s “10K” featuring Billionaire Black. Lil Jay and Billionaire Black are members of Fly Boy Gang, one of the Chi’s premier rap groups.

This track has garnered nearly 3 million views on YouTube.



Many producers would let this kind of success go to their head. Ricco, on the other hand, is humbled by the reception the track has received.

“…I felt good,” Ricco said. “Cause it got to the point where I heard the song being played when I went outside on a day to day basis and a lot of 14 year olds don’t have that many views.”

Ricco is continuing to experiment with a variety of sounds and revealed he is learning how to make R&B beats.

Ricco draws inspiration from several industry professional producers, including, “Lex Luger, Dj Toomp, TM-88 of 808 Mafia, D. Rich Metro Boomin and Drumma Boy.”

“…because I know if they can do it, I can do it,” he said.

Ricco has much respect for his fellow Chicago artists. He hopes to someday collaborate on music with fellow Chicago rap counterparts, including Lil Mouse, Lil Herb, Lil Bibby and SD, to name a few.

Ricco also hopes to work with industry professionals, including Future, French Montana, Lil Durk, Chief Keef and King Louie.



In addition to honing his talents, Ricco is also learning the business.

“I just learned to not burn bridges because you never know you might have to cross that bridge one day,” he said.

Ricco envisions himself as top tier producer. He hopes to finish school and continue “reinventing his craft” and make a career off of his music. Ricco has high aspirations of having his name mentioned alongside the greats.

“I hope it takes me where it takes everybody else that are famous and healthy,” he said.



Ricco regards the Chicago music scene as very competitive.

“I feel like it’s a lot of artists and producers coming up from different sides of Chicago, so it’s like everybody has to put their full effort in their craft because it’s a lot of competition and if they don’t they’re going to get left behind,” Ricco explained. “That’s why you have to work harder than the next person.”

Despite its competitiveness, Ricco is thrilled to have a place in the movement and work with the artists he has come across.

“It feels good because I’m one of the youngest producers in the Chicago movement and I’ve worked with a lot of artists that are buzzing right now and I’ve accomplished what a lot of producers and beat makers haven’t,” he said.

To seek Ricco On Tha Beat’s production services, one may contact his manager:
Twitter: @MizzBea_CEO
Email: ResourcefulLiaison@Gmail.com
Phone: (224) 343-3933

Ricco On Tha Beat’s Contact Info:
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RiccoOnThaBeat
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RiccoOnThaBeat_
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Ricco.OnThaBeat
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/RiccoOnThaBeat
SoundCloud: www.SoundCloud.com/Ricco-On-Tha-Beat

– Written by Alphalpha.
Alphalpha is a self-professed Hip Hop and R&B geek and a music reviewer for kollegekidd.com.

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