Sy ShacklefordIt should be noted that this is not the first collaboration between Washington, D.C.-born/Maryland-raised Rico Nasty and German-Iraqi artist, DJ and producer Boys Noize. Their collaboration on the former’s “Money” and eventually on the latter’s “Girl Crush” spelled more work together in future projects. One joint project which came into fruition is “HARDC0RE DR3AMZ”, a three-track EP which serves as a sampler for a larger project to come.
From the beginning, this EP is more techno/EDM/trance than it is hip-hop. While Rico Nasty is known for image reinvention, “HARDC0RE DR3AMZ” gives the impression of a wholesale shift. The EP’s opener is “Arintintin”, a dance-friendly track with teasing lyrics, high BPM, and ethereal multi-tracked vocals as a coda.
The middle track “Vvgina” is reminiscent of the mid-‘90s dance club craze, when the urban crowds would equate techno music (especially and particularly the kind that found its way onto the radio) with country music in the same pejorative manner. That aside, it has atmospheric vocals, reverberating synths, and the song’s energy stands in contrast to the break-up nature of the lyrics.
The EP closer “H.O.T.” is the sole hip-hop track. Boys Noize makes use of synths and electronics, but transduces them into rap. Rico herself engages in braggadocious rhymes and boasts delivered with a youthful cadence. As the lead single, it was the sole track to have an accompanying video attached:
The cover for “HARDC0RE DR3AMZ” has a butterfly at its center. Usually, that’s the end result of a metamorphosis, so the duo may be getting ahead of themselves. The EP’s title is on-point as far as the “Dreams” part goes: Boys Noize production is wonderfully layered and airy. Rico is both a songtress and a rapper, though more of the former is on display here. For the house music crowd, “HARDC0RE DR3AMZ” is surely worthy of their attention.