“I Read You Guys 69’d”: Rico Nasty, by Eric André

Rico Nasty holds nothing back—a trait that’s earned her a rep as a rage rap pioneer, screaming her way through early hits like “Smack a Bitch” and “Rage,” both with longtime collaborator Kenny Beats. Born Maria-Cecilia Kelly in P.G. County, Maryland, she influenced a generation of rappers who made maximalism their calling card. Now, Rico’s switching it up with Lethal, a grown and refined record that drops while she films her acting debut opposite Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman in Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles. It’s a transitional moment for the 28-year-old—one that had her friend Eric André asking all types of crazy questions.

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THURSDAY 5:30 PM MAY 1, 2025 NYC

ERIC ANDRÉ: We shouldn’t have done it on Zoom. We should have done it in person. But you’re too fucking busy.

RICO NASTY: Stop. Where are you?

ANDRÉ: I’m right behind you.

NASTY: Not today. [Laughs]

ANDRÉ: I’m like 10 feet away from you.

NASTY: You’re not. You’re in Los Angeles.

ANDRÉ: I’m in Brooklyn. That’s the truth.

NASTY: I’m in Chinatown right now.

ANDRÉ: You didn’t tell me you’re Puerto Rican.

NASTY: How did you not know? My name is Rico Nasty.

ANDRÉ: Wow, I knew they put some café con leche in that sauce.

NASTY: You are Puerto Rican.

ANDRÉ: My dad’s from Haiti and my mom’s Jewish, so yes, I’m Puerto Rican.

NASTY: I think we went through this when I saw you at Erewhon.

ANDRÉ: You speak Spanish?

NASTY: No. Whose dog is that?

ANDRÉ: That’s my dog. His name is Dr. Pickles right now, but I might change it to Paintbrush because his dick has a little paintbrush on the end of it. [Laughs]

NASTY: That’s inappropriate!

ANDRÉ: My dog’s going to Me Too my ass.

NASTY: Stop. That’s nasty.

ANDRÉ: He’s the most beautiful dog in the world.

NASTY: His eyes are really scary though. They look soul-piercing.

ANDRÉ: Yeah, he’ll kill you. He’s like a White Walker from Game of Thrones. You got to get out of here. I love you so much. Go to your mommies.

NASTY: You guys heard it here first. He just told his dog to leave. He’s not a real dog person.

ANDRÉ: I abandoned my child. Okay, you got a new album and a new show coming out. Let’s plug the shit out of it.

NASTY: I’m an actress now. It’s really crazy because haters will say this is my first gig, but it was really with you.

ANDRÉ: And you’re a natural. So what’s this new show?

NASTY: This girl gets pregnant by her teacher.

ANDRÉ: Why can’t you have me on the show? You get famous and you forget about me?

NASTY: That’s how the game goes.

ANDRÉ: Yo, come on. We had two Erewhon lunches. Do people know you’re bougie and eat at Erewhon?

NASTY: No, stop. They don’t know that about me. I have never told anyone that I’m shopping at that fucking expensive—

ANDRÉ: You sold out.

NASTY: Yeah, I sold out, guys.

ANDRÉ: I went to the fan base. I asked people on Reddit what to ask you.

NASTY: Let’s fucking go. I love Reddit.

ANDRÉ: They want to know if you got a man, on or off the books.

NASTY: On the books, I don’t.

ANDRÉ: Be honest.

NASTY: You know they can’t keep a pimp down. Fuck you talking about?

ANDRÉ: And you’re pregnant, too. You have an announcement to make.

NASTY: Yep, I’m pregnant and I don’t know who the baby daddy is. [Laughs]

ANDRÉ: Congratulations.

NASTY: Stop. Don’t spread that lie. [Laughs] I’m not pregnant and I’m not going to get pregnant.

ANDRÉ: I read online that you’re pregnant with twins.

NASTY: My kid’s already 10.

ANDRÉ: And you’re having another one. Thank god.

NASTY: No, I’m not.

ANDRÉ: Did you and Kenny Beats ever hook up in the heat of the moment?

NASTY: This is a good question. We didn’t, but I know who he did hook up with.

ANDRÉ: Who did he play hide the salami with?

NASTY: They’re really famous. I’m gonna stop there.

ANDRÉ: Just give me the first name.

NASTY: They’re not who you might think they are. It’s a very surprising hookup. I fuck with it.

ANDRÉ: Like they/them?

NASTY: Kenny Beats pulls baddies, actually. Me and Kenny never kissed or nothing like that, but who doesn’t have a crush on me? Let’s be real.

ANDRÉ: You play a stripper on the new show?

NASTY: I’m playing an OnlyFans girl.

ANDRÉ: Wow. Have you ever done it? I’m thinking about getting on there.

NASTY: I don’t have an OnlyFans, but I kind of want to get on there after this show. Just for niche stuff. You technically don’t have to do anything. I should do it before I’m 30 so that I can be like, “In my 20s, I was crazy.”

ANDRÉ: My friend used to sell her used underwear. I think she still does it. She puts it on, takes it off, sticks it in an envelope. No pictures.

NASTY: How much is she making, spitball?

ANDRÉ: Eight hundred bucks a slice, and she’s just a random. She doesn’t show her picture. You could fake the whole thing.

NASTY: Well, if you see someone in a mask—

ANDRÉ: If you see something, say something. Where are you right now? Shanghai?

NASTY: Yeah.

ANDRÉ: You’re in New York. You’re in downtown L.A.

NASTY: No, I’m not.

ANDRÉ: Why are you dressed like Carmen Sandiego?

NASTY: I’m in Brazil.

ANDRÉ: Wait, where are you really?

NASTY: I’m in New York. In Chinatown.

ANDRÉ: Holler at me. I’m in Brooklyn.

NASTY: Eat with me. I’m about to go grab some Chinese food after this. I’m gonna send you the address.

ANDRÉ: That’s amazing. You’re saying Chinese food, but I know you’re eating healthy these days. I’m very proud of you.

NASTY: Thank you. I am. Y’all see it, huh?

ANDRÉ: Yeah, you look great.

NASTY: I don’t even eat healthy. I just eat more.

ANDRÉ: Not me. I’m on Ozempic, steroids, HGH.

NASTY: What is Ozempic?

ANDRÉ: It’s like heroin and the COVID vaccine mixed together.

NASTY: Does it work?

ANDRÉ: Honey, I’m fitting in my old jeans.

NASTY: [Laughs] You’re funny as shit.

ANDRÉ: How did you learn acting for the show? You took an acting class?

NASTY: Yes, I did.

ANDRÉ: Whose was it? I know all the coaches.

NASTY: You do? It’s Daniel [Travis] at Nancy Banks Studio.

ANDRÉ: I listened to your new album, too. I thought it was fantastic.

NASTY: Did you really?

ANDRÉ: You know I’m a super fan.

NASTY: Yeah, I’m sorry I didn’t perform at your birthday. Can I do it next year?

ANDRÉ: Whatever you want. How come you didn’t come to my birthday party? I was hurt by that. I invited you.

NASTY: No you didn’t. Only that one year when I was still in Maryland, before I came on the show.

ANDRÉ: So are you doing a press tour right now?

NASTY: Yeah.

ANDRÉ: That shit is exhausting.

NASTY: It is. I just did Teen Vogue and GQ. I feel like Lady Gaga.

ANDRÉ: Oh, good for you. I love your hair.

NASTY: You keep saying that.

ANDRÉ: Do you think I can wear my hair like that?

NASTY: Have you ever flat-ironed your hair?

ANDRÉ: Big time. I did a whole season where I flat-ironed my hair.

NASTY: Then yeah, you can do this.

ANDRÉ: I’ve never worn it long like that.

NASTY: I feel like when boys do that, it gives Katt Williams. Can we actually talk about how all the boys dress like me in 2019? Is anyone going to acknowledge that? They literally took my big black pants and my big black boots and were wearing chains on their belts. I’m like, “Who taught you that? Your mom?”

ANDRÉ: Exactly. Wait, what’s the difference between this album and the old one?

NASTY: The old one is old.

ANDRÉ: [Laughs] The new one is new.

NASTY: There’s 15 songs on the album. There’s a rock song. I’m screaming a lot. But I want to know why people want me to keep screaming my entire fucking life. What is that about? Have you ever told a joke that people still say when they come up to you years later? Because that’s how it feels with “Smack a Bitch.” It just follows me

ANDRÉ: That’s okay. You have to cherish success.

NASTY: You do, but what do you do when you don’t want to smack bitches anymore and they expect you to still smack bitches?

ANDRÉ: You got to give the people what they want.

NASTY: So I got to smack somebody.

ANDRÉ: You got to smack somebody, yeah. I have the new album pulled up. I want to hear the rock song. They’re all rock songs to me; that’s how progressive I am.

NASTY: It’s “Smoke Break.”

ANDRÉ: Let me put my chicken tikka masala to the side. Is this your rock song? I need to get on one of these tracks.

NASTY: You don’t know how to rap. Okay, skip 30 seconds in. Get into it. Bob and weave.

ANDRÉ: I’m going to mosh at your show.

NASTY: That’s what it’s for. I want to break something at the show. I’m going to break my fucking leg. I want to rip my wig off at one of the shows.

ANDRÉ: You’re my spirit animal. Where have you been all my life?

NASTY: Wait till the end, you’re going to bust.

ANDRÉ: I wish I had you when I was in high school and I got picked on for making shit like this.

NASTY: Hell yeah.

ANDRÉ: Have you ever been to Barbados?

NASTY: No.

ANDRÉ: You’ve never been to any of the islands?

NASTY: No. That’s why I was mad when you said you was going to the islands with that girl and you didn’t take me.

ANDRÉ: I never said that.

NASTY: You did when we was at Erewhon.

ANDRÉ: I’ve never even kissed a girl. I’m saving my virginity for divorce because of my devout faith.

NASTY: Have you ever been married before?

ANDRÉ: Never, once.

NASTY: I feel like I was kind of just married. It was eight years.

ANDRÉ: Oh, yeah. You told me about this.

NASTY: I tell everyone about it. Everyone that needs to know, knows.

ANDRÉ: Do we go there? That’s deeply personal.

NASTY: Hell no. We’re not going there. I was just saying it was bad. Bitches need to be single in their twenties. It’s only right.

ANDRÉ: You were living your forties in your twenties.

NASTY: Yeah!

ANDRÉ: Why would you think of such a crazy thing?

NASTY: I don’t know. Now I’m like, why would you want to do that?

ANDRÉ: You never had a proper hoe phase.

NASTY: No. It’s coming! [Laughs] I’m just playing. I don’t even know how to start this hoe phase. I need to DM some of my peers, because the female rappers know how to bag niggas and I just stand there and play the homie role way too good.

ANDRÉ: Oh, guys are easy. Just give them some fine wine and you go, “Gootchie, gootchie, goo.” And you tickle their little nose with a feather.

NASTY: Have you ever been on a date with a famous person?

ANDRÉ: A couple times.

NASTY: I have never been on a date with a famous person.

ANDRÉ: What about you and Kenny Beats? You guys were going strong.

NASTY: Bro, you’re not about to push this narrative. I never dated that man. Those are the Ice Spice and Riot allegations.

ANDRÉ: I read you guys 69’d.

NASTY: No! Where’d you read that?

ANDRÉ: It’s in my notes.

NASTY: He must have started that rumor.

ANDRÉ: I’m just messing with you.

NASTY: You’re funny for that.

ANDRÉ: He said you guys 69’d hardcore in multiple interviews. He said he sucked a Skittle out of your booty hole.

NASTY: [Laughs] Oh my god. What other rumors have you heard about me?

ANDRÉ: I read that you’re pregnant recently, and we know you’re fertile.

NASTY: You sound like my mom. The minute I look remotely like I have titties, my mom is like, “Are you pregnant?” I’m like, “Bro, I’m wearing a push-up bra. Leave me alone.”

ANDRÉ: Were you ADD in high school?

NASTY: I used to bark at people.

ANDRÉ: Were you hyper?

NASTY: Yeah. Only around my friends though, not to the teacher.

ANDRÉ: So you’re shy?

NASTY: Yeah. My mama used to beat my ass with a switch. I ain’t acting up in class.

ANDRÉ: They say you were a bad kid. You went to the SEED School of Maryland.

NASTY: I was. I went to boarding school and got expelled.

ANDRÉ: Why? Because you were smoking weed?

NASTY: I did.

ANDRÉ: [Laughs] Hey, it’s medicine, man. It’s from the earth.

NASTY: Then I got expelled and I became Rico Nasty shortly after. So would I be who I am today if I didn’t get expelled?

ANDRÉ: And you worked at a hospital?

NASTY: I did. I was the reception person. I answered the phones and I cleaned up the waiting room.

ANDRÉ: Did you ever just eat all the pill scrapings off the floor?

NASTY: No, but I did used to have to clean up—

ANDRÉ: Human doo-doo.

NASTY: Human doo-doo, toenails. I worked in a specialist office in the hospital, so everything was appointment only. I used to feel so bad when people would be like, “We need to see somebody.” I’d be like, “You have to make an appointment, boo. I don’t know what to tell you.”

ANDRÉ: You was that chick at the hospital? Come on, these people are dying.

NASTY: I enjoyed working there, though. I liked helping people. But I got fired.

ANDRÉ: Why?

NASTY: Because I was on my phone too much—“iCarly” had just came out, and bitch, I was going viral. They kept telling me to put my phone down. Lil Yachty just got on my song, I’m not putting my phone down.

ANDRÉ: So you were famous and you were working there?

NASTY: Well, I wasn’t that famous. I was, like, hood famous.

ANDRÉ: I like that kind of fame before you’re regular famous.

NASTY: I know. Hood fame is the best fame, I’m telling you.

ANDRÉ: Yeah, it means more.

NASTY: Yeah. Then it gets all mainstream and it’s like—

ANDRÉ: Ruined.

NASTY: Where the fuck y’all niggas come from?

ANDRÉ: It gets fucking corrupted. I also read online that you hooked up with one of your teachers.

NASTY: No, I never did that. That’s what the show is about, though.

ANDRÉ: What’s the name of the show?

NASTY: Margo’s Got Money Troubles.

ANDRÉ: Where can people see it?

NASTY: It’s not out yet, but they can read the book.

ANDRÉ: I don’t want to read a book. What is this, a fucking school?

NASTY: Then listen to the audiobook. Y’all need to stop being fucking lazy. This is an epidemic, for real. Don’t nobody want to read no more. Just listen to it while you drive. It’s like a podcast.

ANDRÉ: Why am I going to read the book if I can watch you on TV?

NASTY: Because sometimes the movie is different from the damn book.

ANDRÉ: But I want to see you.

NASTY: I’m gonna be looking real good. They have me in some extravagant shit.

ANDRÉ: Well, I love your new album. I can’t wait to see you in your new show. I think you’re absolutely talented and incredibly smart. Different, unique, gorgeous, beautiful, intelligent.

NASTY: Oh my god. He’s going off.

ANDRÉ: You can act, you can rap, you can sing. You do it all, and I’m proud of you.

NASTY: Thank you. I feel like you’ve been watching me for a minute now.

ANDRÉ: I’ve been watching you since you were a seed.

NASTY: How old are you?

ANDRÉ: I just turned 60.

NASTY: You’re 45.

ANDRÉ: I’m 69 like you and Kenny Beats.

NASTY: You’re fucking 37 or some shit.

ANDRÉ: I’m 42. Are you playing New York anytime soon?

NASTY: I am. I have a show on Saturday. It’s in Brooklyn if you want to go.

ANDRÉ: Fuck yeah, I want to come.

NASTY: Alright, we’re going to put you on the list.

ANDRÉ: Can I get a plus-one?

NASTY: Yeah. It’s going to be fun.

ANDRÉ: I’m proud of you. I love you and I’ll see you soon.

NASTY: Thank you so much for asking the questions people really want to know.

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Hair: Charlie Le Mindu.

Makeup: Rommy Najor using Make Up For Ever at Forward Artists.

Nails: Leanne Woodley using She Nails Hydration & DND Gel at See Management.

Set Design: Selena Liu at Jones Management.

Photography Assistant: Andrew Espinal.

Digital Technician: Nicholas Bean.

Fashion Assistants: Shannon Gorman & Chanel Alorsan.

Hair Assistants: Tiana Amani & Nirina Metz.

Production Assistant: Maian Tran.

Post-production: JRM.

Location: Rein Studios.