Rico Love - Early Life

Early Life

Love was born in New Orleans, LA, and his parents divorced at early age. As a result of the divorce Love spent his childhood growing up in two different cities, in Milwaukee, WI with his Mother and Harlem, NY with his father. Love’s mother encouraged him as a child to write poetry. Love wrote his own poems and went on to joining the African American Children’s Theater where he recited Langston Hughes and acted. Love had already been writing his own poems before he was introduced to rap in his early teens. By the end of high school Love had decided to pursue a career in rap but would go to college simultaneously, ‘I’m to go to school instead of just sitting on the block. If I hadn’t gone to college I would’ve been a drug dealer.’ While in college at Florida A&M University Love stayed involved in his music by winning many rap battles and talent shows. On the weekends Love would leave for Atlanta, GA for the benefit of its studios and popular music scene. While visiting Atlanta Love met members of Jagged Edge who were an influence on Love’s songwriting development. Love eventually left college because of a paper work error made by the college’s administration’s office. Love went to live with some local Atlanta producers the Corna Boyz. This relationship provided Love the opportunity to rap on a remix the producers were creating for Usher. Usher liked Love’s work on the remix and eventually signed him to US Records/J Records. Usher requested Love compose lyrics for a song written by Just Blaze. This song eventually became “Throwback” and was featured on Usher’s diamond selling (10x platinum) Confessions album. Love next toured with Usher where he met and connected with many music industry players. Usher encouraged Love to become a songwriter and requests for Love’s compositions began coming from artists Chris Brown, Omarion, and Marques Houston. Love currently lives in Miami with photographer Robin Thompson known as Robin V. They have one child together, a son Carys Preston.