Rico Nasty announces new album 'LETHAL' to be released in May, debuts new song

Rico Nasty's third major release since 2020, LETHAL, is set to drop on May 16 through Fueled by Ramen (Atlantic Music Group). It'll be her first album to distributed by the label.

Alongside this announcement, the Maryland rapper has also released LETHAL's lead single, "TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)", and its music video, which you can watch below:

Of "TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)", Rico comments:

"‘TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)’ was both the first song I wrote for the album, and the first song I ever wrote with Imad Royal, who executive produced LETHAL ... We all knew this song was special from the moment we turned it in. And what’s a better way to start the new era than by poppin out like a titty????"

LETHAL appears to be Rico's way of redefining her musical character. For those unaware, she made waves in 2018 with the rap-rock track "Smack A Bitch". She worked closely with producer Kenny Beats at that time, whose bass-heavy artistry meshed well with Rico's brash delivery. Together, they released the mixtape Anger Management in 2019.

She then expanded her repertoire with her 2020 debut studio album, Nightmare Vacation, creating alter egos like Tacobella, who dabbled with hyperpop on tracks like "iPHONE", and the pop-punk Trap Lavigne.

Seemingly, LETHAL distills these different aspects of her artistry into one character – Rico herself, no persona needed. She says:

"This album is about being confident and saying fuck everybody else. It’s about getting doors slammed in your face and people telling you to try it their way again and again, and you stay true to yourself and it works. That’s what this project is. It’s an ode to yourself."

This upcoming album marks her first collaboration with the Grammy-nominated producer Imad Royal. He executive produced LETHAL in its entirety. Royal has songwriting and production credits on tracks by BTS, Carly Rae Jepsen, Doja Cat, Panic! at the Disco, The Chainsmokers, and others.