Born & raised in Brooklyn, NY comes the artist known as Ricky Vaughn. Straight out the gate, Ricky Vaughn rose to top of what seems to be the fusion of hip hop and electronic music.
His debut EP “All Night Long” was released on July 8th 2013 and within 3 days, 2 of the 4 tracks hit the Beatport Top 10 Hip Hop singles.
Ricky followed up with a remix of Black Moon’s “How Many Mcs” that also rose to the top 50. His tracks gained support from artists like Diplo, 12th Planet, Skism, Reid Speed, Bro Safari, ETC!ETC! to name a few. Ricky Vaughn is bridging the gap between Hip Hop & electronic production. His unique sounds and standout drum patterns are what makes him a leader in the wave of fresh producers in the new century.
Ricky Vaughn – All Night Long
We had the chance to sit and have a chat with Ricky.
PWM: How did you come up with the name Ricky Vaughn?
Ricky Vaughn is an alias i had for a few years for some of my music because i always felt i could relate to the character “Ricky Vaughn” from the movie Major League. He had an “I dont give a fuck” attitude but he was the best at what he did and always gave it 100%.
PWM: When you decided and what inspired you to pursue career in Music?
In 1996 i went to an art & technology high school here in new york because i loved to draw and create, i was able to draw almost anything just by looking at it but in 1997 the school started a Hip Hop program that taught mcing, production, graffiti and break dancing. I had always loved hip hop being that my father was a hip hop & house dj in brooklyn so i decided to take the classes and gave up art to become a rapper & producer.
PWM: Who are some of your influences in music?
As for production my one & only influence has been Timbaland. Since i was 15 yrs old i have always looked up to his worked, studied it and never stopped being inspired by his songwriting abilities. As an artist and visionary i’d say Kanye West. I listen to his speeches daily on my iphone to stay motivated.
PWM: What role does music play in your daily life?
Music is an everyday/all day aspect of my life. Besides being a dad to my 4yr old son, i dont know how to function in ordinary life if music has nothing to do with it. Music is my world and nothing could replace that feeling of being able to create emotions out of sounds freely.
PWM: After the successful release of your first EP “All Night Long” on Big Alliance Records what can people expect from this new EP “Wickedest Sound” on Playing With Monsters?
Honestly they can expect a MASTERPIECE. Wickedest Sound is sonically a masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of what people call “EDM Trap”. This is NY Trap, my version of that and the difference between me and the next guy is that i created songs, not just beats or instrumental music. Wickedest Sound takes you on a roller coaster of emotions while grabbing elements from “edm trap” and then being structured as popular music compostitions. Wickedest Sound is the evolution and no one is doing it better than i am right now.
PWM: What is your favorite track from the EP and why?
I think “Mo Trilla Plurnt” would be the favorite for me as of today right now. It varies everyday but “Mo Trilla Plurnt” to me embodies hip hop music, festival house and then electronic trap rhythms. I went big on that track treating it like architecture, i envisioned tall cathedral ceilings white walls, black lights, dark corners, street lamps, dirty pavements, hidden passages and then a room with endless walls filled with over 100k people in it.
PWM: How do you keep your productions fresh ?
I keep my productions fresh by telling myself my last production wasnt my best (no matter how good) and keep pushing myself to make something better. I like to use sounds nobody wants, Vsts no one has heard of, breakdowns that mix genres, and notes that dont necessarily make sense.
PWM: What is your take on today’s Trap music , is it here to stay or is it only a trend?
I think alot of kids who are popular right now are overrated and half ass their music. Trap is hip hop, its always been here and wont go away in one shape of another. I think these popular kids will get bored and switch it up and then fans will say “trap is dead” and people will believe it. I’m one of the only people in the “scene” (if you wanna call it that) that will succeed when the bubble bursts here in the states
PWM: We had the opportunity to be in your last performance in Paris, what is different compared to the U.S.?
I loved the energy in paris, it was so much more organic than in the states. Over here people want to be cool or do drugs, very few just want to have fun. The Paris crowd were more than anything there to just have a great time.
PWM: Any future Ricky Vaughn performances on the calendar?
i’m doing a promo tour for my ep in the states through october & november, working on some canada stuff before the end of the year and back to europe in the new year.
PWM: Is there any upcoming artist that you really admire?
I’ve been listening to NYMZ & DJ XOXO alot recently. They’ve inspired alot of my new stuff. I have secret competitions with everyone in my mind. We can be friends but i really want to be better than you, lol. Its nothing personal, it just keeps me driven and motivated to think like that.
PWM: Can you tell us something about Ricky Vaughn that people might not know?
I don’t want to be famous
PWM: What was the last song that gave you chills when you listened to it?
Justin Timberlake – Gimme What I Don’t Know…The combination of Justins vocals and Timbalands production absolutely blew my mind.
PWM: What would you say is the biggest lesson that life has giving you?
Don’t put your career in anyones hands, always take control, and follow your gut.
PWM: Can you give us your top 5 tunes at the moment ?
Otis Clapp – Realest Round (Nite Version), NYMZ & Ricky Vaughn – In The VIP, Wrecking Ball (XOXO Remix), Tigerblood – Bulletproof, Happy Colors & JSTJR – Tiripa
PWM: Can you give us your top 3 all-time records?
Ricky Vaughn – Mo Trilla Plurnt, Kanye West – Cant Tell Me Nothing, Pusha T – King Push
PWM: What is your favorite food?
Sushi & Pizza
PWM: What is your favorite beer?
Coronas All Day! lol
Note: Don’t forget Ricky Vaughn’s new ep “Wickdest Sound” drops Oct 28 on Playing With Monsters
Free Download Here – Official Video – Follow Ricky Vaughn
Be sure to catch Ricky Vaughn alonside Gold Top on the first ever “Virtual Tour”: Full Info Here
