Artist Spotlight

Vetted Rapper; RICKY BATS Is Claiming His Spot In The Music Scene

Music such as life grabs you when you’re experiencing something real. Always having its way of sticking with us when you feel the authenticity to it. Music has long been something we come to for relatable substance, as we tune in to see what the artists have to offer. When you get something you feel as the real deal it makes for something beyond limits, and that real feel is that you get from a multi-talented artist, Ricky Bats.

Ricky Bats is a multi-talented rapper and songwriter born in the South Bronx. Bats is a straight shooter when it comes to music, content, and life. He raps about the real-life experiences from the hood in a manner that is digestible to the mainstream ear.

In 2014, he entered the rap scene with the release of his mixtape “Bronx Born Prison Raised Vol. 1” followed by “Bronx Born Prison Raised Vol. 2”. In April 2016, Bats toured the United States and dropped his first EP titled “Freedom”, which featured collaborations with Maino and Dyce Payne. The following year he released a self-titled album “Bats Born a True Spitter” featuring the single “My Crew Hungry” with Uncle Murda. And in 2018 came the “BATS WAVE” mixtape and “BATS WAVE, Vol 2. The Tsunami” in 2020 and many more.

In addition to his music career, Ricky Bats hosts a radio show “Ride Ya Groove” on WBRK in Massachusetts, maintains his independent record label Gotham City Music Group Inc. and has acted in small onscreen roles including “About That Life” and the Showtime series “Escape at Dannemora”.

Check out his latest release on Spotify:

Hi there, welcome to Honk Magazine. Thank you so much for taking out time to respond to us. To kick things off, Can you tell our readers about what really inspired you to write music?

Ricky Bats – I was inspired by friends growing up in the South Bronx. It was so common to see kids rapping in building lobbies or by the corner store about what they see on the streets.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

Ricky Bats – When I trademarked my name. RICKY B.A.T.S (Born A True Spitter)

Tell us what is so unique about you and your music?

Ricky Bats – I am a very passionate and determined person!! After being away for almost 2 decades I came home prepared to do music. My music tells the story of someone who’s been through some shit! Life changing situations and which he stayed focused on and made it happen.

Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses“ is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires“ is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home“ by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

Connect with LAST ALEX! on Spotify