Rising rapper-singer Rio Rainz drops his new single ‘dancing in the dark’ and announces his forthcoming EP, ‘cobwebs in my bedroom’.

Produced by Dom Valentino, ‘dancing in the dark’ combines Rio’s soft singing tones and storytelling, allowing him to showcase another string to his bow as he has effortlessly switched through moods and temperatures this year. The infectious lovesick hook sees Rio state: “I close my ears and bite my tongue, this is where my heart goes numb’, a lush moment that gives us pure vulnerability as adoration seeps from his voice. Rio has been riding the high all summer from his recent collaboration with Finn Foxell - which also saw a remix from P-rallel - which has been a staple in UK festival sets this year.

Hailing from East London, Rio was born to Irish and Jamaican parents who raised him on an eclectic mix of Reggae, Rap, Rock, Pop and occasionally Country. When his parents separated, Rio began splitting his time between London and the countryside, two contrasting worlds he first disliked but later described the latter as providing a much-needed space from all the chaos. Rio started to hone his craft as young as six, playing keys for the church choir and attending performing arts school, where his love for all things creative flourished. From a young age, Rio has found comfort in his introspective lyrics. He has openly shared his highs and adolescent battles, hoping his vulnerability might support others. Rio was motivated to break the stereotypes pushed on him with his sound reflecting a genre-fluid mix of all his inspirations under one multi-layered roof.