Rio Rainz just recorded an image of his reflection for all to see. On “17,” the up-and-coming singer-rapper exposes his heart and shares some of the emotional turbulence that comes with young adulthood, mental health, and finding yourself. After his high-profile opening slot for Rizzle Kicks at KOKO earlier today, “17” presents a new form of introspection from the London-based artist.
On “17,” Rio looks inward, threading through a vivid landscape of loneliness and yearning over melancholic production. “17” is about the emotional chaos I experienced as a teenager drifting through life feeling dislocated even in crowded rooms, figuring out how to exist in the world with all of these feelings I was unsure how to deal with,” he says. His words go deep, but the honesty in his voice is what makes “17” resonate so much more. It is a confession, a release, and a reminder that healing is messy but necessary.
The single comes after a string of notable releases, including “Bad!”, “Mutual Butterflies,” and “Neverland,” all featuring Rio’s genre-swirling sound, influenced by his Jamaican and Irish ancestry. His artistic flourishes give you raw emotions married with DIY-Alt-Rap and R&B sensibilities, which set him aside as one of the most interesting new voices in UK music, especially if you grew up on a diet of soul, reggae, and Amy Winehouse.
With co-signs from The Face, NME, and Complex and a growing community of dedicated fans, Rio Rainz continues to carve out his lane one heartfelt track at a time. “17” marks an important chapter of his story. And if this is only the beginning, the best is yet to come.