The Reason Rico Nasty’s Suitcases Are Super Heavy
The rockstar rapper shares her travel must-haves, super fly airplane wardrobe, and why she spends so much on checked bag fees
She’s nasty. And that’s a good thing. For the last eight years, the rapper Rico Nasty, born Maria Kelly, has taken a word that was once pejorative and worn it as a badge of honor.
Since the beginning of her career, Nasty has been making “sugar trap,” a style of upbeat rapping and singing that she named herself. Her hit songs like “Bitch I’m Nasty,” “Smack a Bitch,” and “iPhone,” have cemented Nasty as a totally original artist who can blend genres and even create her own. With her spiky hair, cartoonishly large platform boots, and jagged jewelry, she’s paving the way for Black people who love alternative fashion and music to thrive in hip-hop.
In May, Nasty released her third studio album, Lethal, a fusion of trap-style rap and punk rock that highlights her ability to harness both genres. This September, Nasty will embark on the Lethal North American Tour and next year, she’ll make her acting debut in the A24 and Apple TV+ drama series Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
Nasty spoke with Thrillist associate editor Annie Harrigan about shoes that take up whole suitcases, the critical things she does in every new place she visits, and the funniest thing she’s ever tried to bring through TSA.
Thrillist: What is your favorite travel memory?
Rico Nasty: I think it would probably have to be when I went to Texas with my cousins and my dad. We were in the pool every fucking day. It was amazing. Even the flight was lit. It was just a nice little family vacation. We didn't really do those often, so it meant a lot to me.
What's something you always do to prepare for a trip?
Check the weather. The fit has to match with the weather. And I need to be comfortable. So I'm always going to check the weather. Other than that, I really don't have a ritual or a consistent thing that I do everywhere.
Actually, you know what else I have to do before I travel to a place? I look up how racist it is. I look up and see how racist they may be to Black people. I, as a Black person, always look up if I'm going to be safe traveling somewhere.
Are you a light packer or an overpacker?
Over. I just hate being in an unfamiliar space, so I hate not having the things that would make me feel more comfortable, including outfit and shoe options.
What types of shoes do you bring with you?
I spend bread on luggage when I have to travel. And it’s because I always have those big ass boots—my Demonia boots and my New Rocks. You can only fit five of those motherfuckers in one suitcase. And depending on the stage I’m performing on, whether it’s cement or wood, there are certain shoes you’re not supposed to wear, so I need options. And my fans like the platform-boot look. It's part of the aesthetic.
Outside of your shoes, what are some other must-haves?
If I'm traveling somewhere, I have to have my fucking headphones. When it comes to headphones, I’m a “beggars can’t be choosers” person—I'll use anything. Right now it’s the Marshall headphones. But I also use AirPods and I even use the wired earplugs. I'm a real lover of music, so anytime I get to listen to music, I'm not really focused on where it's coming from. I just need to have some music, bro. I need to just be listening to something. I also always have to bring my Stanley cup on the plane.
What is in your travel beauty bag?
My bag really consists of super simple things. When we're talking about hair, a lot of the time, I have a wig or a situation like that. My hairstylist will travel with whatever we need. Sometimes I'll travel with my wig and do my own hair. When that happens, I have to bring my mannequin head and I’ll style my wig on it, so I need the little pins. I need a strong hold product of some sort, I need a rat tail comb, and I need my Dyson air wrap.
What's your favorite way to pass time on a plane or a tour bus?
Watch movies. Scary movies, horror movies, thrillers. Anything that gets us huddled around the TV and talking about what we would do if that shit happened to us.
What's your airplane wardrobe? Do you like to dress up to fly or are you more casual and comfy?
When I get on a plane, I'm wearing Maison Margiela. And I know that that might sound like I’m bragging, like “Oh you're wearing Maison Margiela.” But I know they’re going to give me something super casual that’s still super fly—something that’s not covered in logos. Maison Margiela won’t have a shirt that’s covered in logos and they have a lot of basics. I have these sweatpant shorts and a T-shirt from them I like to fly in.
What about shoes?
I wear my Ann Demeulemeester boots because I can unzip them and just take them right off.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever tried to take through airport security with you?
I have a very funny story. I just want to preface it, I was a kid. OK, I was like 22, but I was a kid compared to who I am now.
So I did a show in Ohio and I did shrooms after it. We were all at the hotel and we ordered food, from, I think, Wendy’s, and for whatever reason, they gave us a whole bottle of ketchup. And of course that's the type of shit that happens when you're on shrooms, the type of shit that nobody will believe. In the fucking bag was an entire bottle of Heinz ketchup. So we were just laughing so hard and at the time we didn't really think anything of it. The next day comes and we have to clean up the room and check out at the hotel, not thinking much of it.
Then we get to the airport and TSA scans my bag and I'm not still high, but I have the remnants of coming down, so I'm kind of paranoid in the airport. I just really didn’t want to be in there with all the bright lights. They end up having to pull my bag to the side and of course I'm freaking out. I'm like, “Oh my god, I wonder what's in there. It's probably a blunt or something I forgot to throw away.” I was panicking. And then they pulled out a big ass bottle of tomato ketchup. And the agent looks and and just goes “Who does this belong to?” And I started laughing so hard. I just couldn't stop laughing, I couldn't be serious. It was just so fucking funny to me.