Rio Rainz - 17 (Single)
Rising London singer and rapper Rio Rainz unveils his latest single, “17” one of his most raw and introspective tracks yet. The track dropped on the same day Rio took to the stage for one of his biggest shows, opening for Rizzle Kicks at their highly anticipated headline performance at KOKO on November 8th.
In 17, Rio confronts his struggles with mental health, taking listeners on a journey back to one of the most challenging periods in his life. His self-assured tone is hard-won, emerging from deeply personal battles with his mental health in his younger years, and he has since used his music as an outlet for expressing this journey. These pivotal experiences brought him profound realisations, setting him on a path defined by honesty, resilience, and a stronger sense of self. Speaking on 17, Rio states, “The song captures my struggle with pain and isolation, feelings that have been with me since I was a teenager. I often find myself feeling pretty disconnected, even in crowded places, and I long for an escape from the emotional chaos. It’s a raw reflection of my challenges growing up, dealing with mental health, and the journey to find myself amongst all the messiness. Ultimately, it’s a raw expression of longing for something real whilst grappling with my past. I’m just trying to find my identity through part-time turbulence.” This year, Rio Rainz has been on fire, dropping a string of standout tracks—Bad!, Mutual Butterflies, and Neverland—each one cementing his status as a dynamic force in the scene.
Music has been the driving force in Rio’s life from an early age. As a shy and reserved child of Jamaican and Irish heritage, he grew up surrounded by a constant stream of music at home, including soul, classic reggae, and singer-songwriters like Amy Winehouse, who remains a major influence on him today. Music helped him build confidence; after his mother bought him a keyboard, Rio spent weekends playing in church or participating in performing arts classes at Centre Stage in his native north London. Following his parents' separation, he split his time between the city and the countryside, using introspective lyrics to openly share his highs and adolescent struggles, hoping to support others through his vulnerability. Rio has developed a rare perspective for someone his age, harbouring a dislike for modern trends while cherishing genuine, real-life connections. This distinctive worldview allows him to merge his diverse creative talents into his music seamlessly. His genre-fluid sound reflects a blend of all his influences, breaking stereotypes and creating a multi-layered musical experience.
Rio burst onto the scene at fifteen with a powerful Black Box freestyle that went viral, confirming his rapping and singing abilities to the masses. His debut EP, "Withdrawal Symptoms," and follow-up EP, "Cobwebs in My Room," have cemented his position in the thriving DIY-Alt-Rap/R&B scene. This release was followed by a standout, sold-out debut showcase at The Lower Third, further establishing his presence in the music industry. Rio's fanbase has quadrupled these past few years thanks to co-signs from The Face, NME, Hypebeast, MTV, and Complex.