Rico Burgos Reflects on His Journey
- Too Recklss
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Only three years ago, Rico Burgos was recording music in his dorm room at Texas Tech using nothing more than his phone, headphones, and BandLab. Fast forward to today, Rico Burgos has built an audience of more than 288,000 monthly Spotify listeners, with his breakout single "Bikini Behavior" reaching over 3 million streams.
In our conversation with Rico, he reflected on his music journey, the risks that helped his career grow, and why authenticity has always been at the center of his art.
Growing up Between Chicago, Texas, and Florida
Although Rico spent most of his life in the Fort Worth, Texas area, his childhood began in a small suburb near Chicago where he played basketball and began drawing art, making NBA legend Derrick Rose one of his earliest inspirations.
Derrick Rose isn't just his favorite basketball player because of his talent. It was because of his resilience through injuries and setbacks that he left a lasting impression.
Burgos also grew up playing basketball, which showed him that success isn't always immediate and that perseverance matters more than natural talent alone. Those same lessons would later become very important in his music.
When Rico was 12 years old, his family moved from the Chicago area to Texas. The transition exposed him to different cultures, perspectives, and experiences that would later influence both his outlook on life and his music.
Making Music in His College Dorm
Today, many independent artists understand how much easier technology has made recording music. Apps like BandLab allow musicians to create songs from almost anywhere. For Rico, that journey began in his Texas Tech dorm room with nothing more than his phone, headphones, and BandLab.
Before music, Rico expressed himself through painting and drawing. He would create drawings of superheroes in class and had these special markers for drawing as a kid. As he got older, he used songwriting as a new creative outlet, which allowed him to process emotions in a different way.
"My music starts with real life situations that emotionally impact me."
Instead of forcing generic lyrics or chasing trends, Rico says that his songs come from genuine experiences that leave an emotional impression. His creative process is very simple: he goes on YouTube and searches for beats until he finds one that he likes and fits his style. Then from there, the song naturally develops one line at a time.
The Challenges of Being an Independent Artist
While his numbers today may suggest overnight success, Rico's journey was anything but instant. For nearly two years, most of his music reached only family and close friends. Song after song failed to gain momentum, forcing him to question whether continuing was worth the effort.
"Finding the right audience was the hardest part."
Eventually, Rico stepped away from releasing music for nearly three months. Instead of quitting, he used that time to reflect on why he started creating in the first place. When he returned, he released "Bikini Behavior."
The song became the breakthrough he had been waiting for, eventually surpassing 3 million Spotify streams and introducing thousands of new listeners to his catalog.
Every Stream Represents Someone's Time
Rico continues to build his fan base across streaming platforms, but his appreciation for listeners goes far beyond statistics. Rather than focusing solely on numbers, he thinks about the commitment every listener makes when pressing play.
"Time is the one thing people can never get back, so when someone spends time listening to my music, that means everything."
For Rico, every stream represents someone choosing to spend a small part of their day with his art, something he doesn't take for granted.
The Meaning of Success
In an industry where success is often measured by chart positions, luxury lifestyles, or social media numbers, Rico has a much simpler definition.
"Success is being able to do what I love while having my basic necessities covered."
His definition of success stands in contrast to an industry often focused on numbers and fame. For Rico, success simply means being able to continue creating while supporting himself.
Looking Ahead
As Rico Burgos continues to grow, his story remains one of patience, resilience, and trusting the process. From recording songs in a college dorm room to reaching millions of streams, his journey is proof that meaningful careers are often built one step at a time.
At Too Recklss, we believe taking risks creates opportunities. Rico's story embodies exactly that philosophy, showing that sometimes betting on yourself is the most important decision you can make.
