Manchester Grime Artist R.i.o

Already considered the next big thing to break from the North-West. Born in Moss Side, Manchester he spent some of his teenage years on the Caribbean island St. Vincent and also represented them against Cuba in a World Cup Qualifier.  His travel also saw him spend time in Chicago before returning to the UK to pursue his football career further with a trial at Manchester City. Sadly the trial didn’t work out and R.I.O turned his attention full time to his burgeoning music talent.
 
He began recording music at 18, joining Street Smart Crew through cousin T-Bizzle. R.I.O quickly learnt his trade on the Manchester’s underground Grime scene with Rap collective “Hit Em Up” along with fellow MC’s Wrigley & Liquid. He forged his own way after he teamed up with producer Jodz and singer Chris Royal to create ‘Dance Like Me’ an infectious Electro club anthem, which since has seen him open up for acts such as Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Ironik, Platnum & Chipmunk across the UK and has been championed by 1Xtra DJs Ras Kwame, DJ Q and DJ Target on their shows.
 
R.I.O’s recent performance at I Luv Live in London (a weekly live session with house band to showcase emerging UK talent) hosted by Ras Kwame, left an impression on the London scene most namely, commercially acclaimed producer Bless Beats (Wearing My Rolex) & Most Wanted who demanded that R.I.O recorded over their production. R.I.O then bagged his first record deal when he signed to emerging North West label Rare Breed.
 
Bless Beats adds to an impressive roster of producers that R.I.O is working with including Nathan Retro (Tinchy Stryder/Wiley) Mr. V (Platnum/JME) Mark One (Virus Syndicate) Burgaboy and Disco Kidz. His style fuses melodic harmonies with raw Grime influenced bars that offer something fresh and innovative to the scene.
 
His debut single ‘Narrow Roads’ (produced by Most Wanted & Bless Beats) will be out March 2010.

www.myspace.com/riostreetsmart