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.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Ricky Bats – Funniest mistake? I can’t think of one.

Can you tell us about your latest releases and what inspired you to create them?

Ricky Bats – Lickin off in hip hop, Every Day, and Good Lovin’ are all records that were inspired by Fredro Starr. We’ll just be in the studio and he’ll play an instrumental and the first thought that comes to mind would usually be the basis of the record. It’s that moment when you hear the beat for the first time and it tells you what to say..

Can you give us a brief insight about your upcoming projects?

Ricky Bats – My new Album “Visions Of A Prospect”.

The album touches on family, the streets, relationships and real life situations. Which I like to call it healing music.

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

Ricky Bats – Everyone is not your friend!!

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Ricky Bats – Don’t try to play catch up. Move at your own pace.

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?

Ricky Bats – My life is music every minute of the day!! But in between I like our family vacations. I spend a lot of time with the fam. Being around your immediate loved ones you can’t go wrong! I like dirt bike riding, and I’m currently reading for a movie role.. Hollywood Bats lol gotta have a good ring to it.

Any last piece of advice for those artists who just started making music?

Ricky Bats – Stay consistent… Being consistent is a talent on its own. A lot of people fall off after not seeing results in a short amount of time. Endurance overshines!

How can our readers follow you online?

Ricky Bats – You can follow me on all major music platforms under Ricky Bats.

For more updates, you can follow me on Instagram– @rickybats

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Artist Spotlight

Adrie ft. Rulo evokes the groove-soaked rhythmic vibe with her debut single “Bring Back the Light”

Adrie’s thought-provoking vibe, “Bring Back the Light,” establishes a sonically vivid kaleidoscope that encapsulates vitality and skillfully merges energetic Afrobeat rhythms and funk-oriented guitar melodies with the soulful combination of English and Spanish lyrics. The debut single from her upcoming concept album bursts forth as a significant representation of artistic innovation. The audacious collaboration with Chilean artist Rulo, recognized for his proficiency in Latin funk and hip-hop roots, infuses the track with a layer of vibrant authenticity.

The song’s heartbeat is firmly rooted in Afrobeat, establishing a dynamic rhythm that engages listeners from the outset. The funk guitar elements interlace throughout the composition, contributing a timeless energy. Additionally, the bilingual lyrics transition seamlessly between English and Spanish, reflecting Adrie’s diverse cultural heritage. This linguistic interplay underscores the overarching theme of the track: the complex relationship between light and darkness on both societal and personal levels.

Drawing inspiration from the surreal narrative of the television series ‘Twin Peaks,’ Adrie and Rulo explore the equilibrium between fear and hope. The lyrics are imbued with emotional depth, articulating Adrie’s battle with anxiety and her desire to foster positivity. Nevertheless, the overall composition rises above the melancholy theme, characterized by an uplifting rhythm and celebratory tone, encouraging listeners to engage intellectually, contemplate profoundly, and participate physically through dance.

“Bring Back the Light” aims to illuminate these pressing issues and inspire proactive engagement. It is a poignant reminder that even amidst personal or societal challenges, there’s a rhythm in life to celebrate and a spark waiting to be ignited. This represents Adrie at her most creative, and with Rulo’s distinctive flair, the outcome is a dance-floor anthem characterized by both heartfelt and meaningful. Listeners are invited to increase the volume and allow the music to uplift and brighten their spirits.

Artist Spotlight

“I Just Want You” by Kina ft. Trevor Daniel delivers a heartfelt serenade for beautiful yearning

In “I Just Want You” by Kina, the 24-year-old Naples-born lo-fi pop maestro behind the platinum hit “Get You The Moon,” featuring Trevor Daniel, crafts a stirring sonic anthem that feels like an intimate whispered confession to the soul. The track radiates a sense of vulnerability, merging Kina’s trademark melancholic production with Trevor’s emotionally charged, velvety vocals in a seamless fusion of emotion and sound.

Right from the start, Kina’s minimalist yet lush instrumentals, with muted beats and delicate piano lines, hum in the background like a pulse, setting the stage for Trevor Daniel’s heart-on-sleeve delivery as he croons about yearning for connection. The song’s emotional gravity is undeniable, each lyric feels weighted with sincerity, a heartbeat echoing the universal ache of missing someone.

The production exemplifies Kina’s quintessential hallmark style, which is characterized by its understated but impactful nature. A warm tapestry of lo-fi elements, soft keys, atmospheric synths, and subtle percussion wraps around Trevor’s vocal performance, creating a cozy, intimate, cinematic soundscape ideal for those quiet moments when you reflect on your feelings.

What really makes “I Just Want You” unique is its ability to mix personal vulnerability, timeless vibes, passionate lyricism, and broad relatability. It’s almost as if the artists invite listeners to relive their sweet memories in a cocoon of love, translating unfiltered emotion into a beautiful melody long after the song ends.

In just under three minutes, Kina and Trevor Daniel remind listeners that sometimes, we really need honest expression set to a simple, lovely tune. “I Just Want You” is a sonic open letter to the heart of anyone who has ever loved, making it impossible not to feel the pull of its charm.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Kina’s “I Just Want You“ on Spotify.
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