Rico Love – They Don’t Know

Love was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and his parents divorced at early age.[19] As a result of the divorce Love spent his childhood growing up in two different cities, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his Mother and Harlem, NY with his father.[20] Love’s mother encouraged him as a child to write poetry.[21] Love wrote his own poems and went on to joining the African American Children’s Theater where he recited Langston Hughes and acted.[20][21] Love had already been writing his own poems before he was introduced to rap in his early teens.[22] By the end of high school Love had decided to pursue a career in rap but would go to college simultaneously, “I’m [going] 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.”[21] While in college at Florida A&M University Love stayed involved in his music by winning many rap battles and talent shows.[21] On the weekends Love would leave for Atlanta, Georgia for the benefit of its studios and popular music scene.[21] While visiting Atlanta Love met members of Jagged Edge who were an influence on Love’s songwriting development.[21] Love eventually left college because of a paper work error made by the college’s administration’s office.[21] Love went to live with some local Atlanta producers the Corna Boyz.[21] This relationship provided Love the opportunity to rap on a remix the producers were creating for Usher.[21] 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.[21] This song eventually became “Throwback” and was featured on Usher’s Diamond-selling (10× Platinum) Confessions album.[21][23] Love next toured with Usher where he met and connected with many music industry players.[21] Usher encouraged Love to become a songwriter and requests for Love’s compositions began coming from artists Chris Brown, Omarion, and Marques Houston.[20][21] Love currently lives in Miami with photographer Robin Thompson known as Robin V. They have one child together, a son Carys Preston.

Wikipedia