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Who is Roddy Ricch? The Compton-native taking the rap game over in 2020

“Tell me why the legends always gotta die quick?” Roddy Ricch ponders as the last line for his chorus on hit single “Die Young.”

“Die Young,” Ricch’s biggest hit to date and first entrance into national popularity, was written the night XXXTentacion died. Ricch’s words echo with truth and passion, and the delicately-melodic beats he raps over help paint a picture of the stories he lives and raps about.

 

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FRIDAY 😈 #antisocial

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Roddy Ricch’s first studio album drops this Friday, and it’s coming at the perfect time for the Compton-born-and-raised artist. His popularity has been steadily on the rise, while his real fans who have been there from the beginning are witnessing the fruits of his labor.

But for the average fan, the 21-year-old seemingly came out of nowhere, and though his success is well-deserved, there are those who still see it as abrupt. So we dove in to find out truly: who is Roddy Ricch? And why are we so hyped for the release of his album?

Roddy Ricch, Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr., was born in Compton, California, on October 22, 1998. He also spent some time living in Atlanta as a child, rapping by 8, and even making his own beats by 16.

Ricch said there’s no place like his home, but he also holds an immense love for Atlanta.

“I just like the Black success in Atlanta. I loved being surrounded by that.”

 

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| @roddyricch for #MIAFest • • • #RoddyRich #FinalFocus #FinalFocusTheLabel #Kulture #VargasVisuals

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“A lot of my shit is just based off my real life. What I feel, and the things I go through every day.”

Ricch said as a kid he mainly listened to Speaker Knockerz (another legend gone far too young), Future, Young Thug, and Lil Wayne.

Roddy, then-only 19, took his first step into the rap scene in 2017. When asked what was going on around him at that point in his life, he said, “A lot more death in the streets. Growing up, getting older, friends getting lost to prison. You tend to want to do something that’ll help you make it out of that.”

 

In 2017, Ricch released his first mixtape, Feed Tha Streets, featuring bangers like “Fucc It Up,” and “Chase Tha Bag.”

After Feed Tha Streets, iconic artists like Meek Mill, DJ Mustard, 03 Greedo, and even Nipsey Hussle, rest in peace, expressed love and praise for Ricch. Hussle even brought him out as a guest for his Powerhouse concert in Los Angeles that year.

Ricch has noted that Meek was a big mentor for him. “Mainly he just be like, ‘Get out the hood.’ I feel like that’s probably the most important advice he’s given me.”

In 2018, Roddy released his second mixtape, Feed Tha Streets 2. Along with “Die Young,” he featured his smooth hit “Every Season,” in which he raps over a delightful guitar melody.

In 2019, Ricch was featured on Nipsey Hussle’s, “Racks in the Middle,” and DJ Mustard’s “Ballin’,” both of which earned him Grammy nominations.

Ricch’s recent hit with Gunna, “Start wit Me,” is our first look at his album antisocial. There is no reason to believe this won’t be his greatest collection of songs yet.

 

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start wit me w my brudda @gunna tomorrow 🔥

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Roddy’s words are honest and fervent, his flow polished and unique. Wise and comfortable beyond his years, Roddy is just getting started, and antisocial is just the next step in a long string of success.