Rico Nasty has taken a bold leap into rock territory with her latest album LETHAL, proving once again that she refuses to be put in a box. Released at midnight on May 16, the 15-track project showcases a fiercer, more unrestrained version of the Maryland-born artist—one who’s clearly found creative freedom in blending genres and challenging expectations.
Earlier this year, Rico teased that LETHAL would be her most freeing body of work yet. Now that it’s here, that statement rings true. The album kicks off with “WHO WANT IT,” a defiant anthem where she positions herself as untouchable and unbothered, setting the tone for what follows. From there, LETHAL delivers a whirlwind of sonic experimentation, ranging from energetic rap to chaotic rock and hints of hyperpop.
Fans got an early taste with “TEETHSUCKER (YEAH3x)” and “ON THE LOW,” but LETHAL dives much deeper. On “PINK,” Rico explores glossy hyperpop textures while staying true to her gritty, alternative rap roots. “SMILE,” in contrast, slows things down, offering a more reflective side of the rapper.
But the heart of LETHAL lies in its rock influence. Two standout tracks, “SON OF A GUN” and “SMOKE BREAK,” turn up the intensity with aggressive guitar riffs and primal vocals. On “SMOKE BREAK,” she unleashes her rage with lines like, “I don’t want nothing, I don’t have nothing / I don’t need nothing, get the f**k away.” The raw energy makes perfect sense given that the album dropped under Fueled By Ramen, a label known for housing acts like twenty one pilots and Fall Out Boy.
Behind the boards, producer Imad Royal—whose resume includes work with Doja Cat and Panic! At the Disco—handled production for the entire project. Rico admitted that at first, their one-song-per-day studio schedule felt limiting, even joking that she thought Royal disliked her. But she later realized how freeing that process was. “I made ‘BUTTERFLY KISSES,’ ‘SAY WE DID’ and ‘ON THE LOW’ in one-day sessions,” she told Rolling Stone. “Then I left. And honestly, that was so liberating.”
That sense of liberation pulses through every track on LETHAL. Rico has always been known for her rebellious spirit and refusal to conform—but this project sees her fully step into a new era, blending punk, rap, and pop in her own unique way.
With LETHAL, Rico Nasty isn’t dipping her toe into rock—she’s diving headfirst into it, electrifying the genre with her signature flair. This isn’t just a shift in sound; it’s a full-on transformation, and it cements her status as one of the most unpredictable and exciting voices in music today.
