Ricky Rich
{{short description|Swedish Aramean rapper}}
{{distinguish|Richie Rich (disambiguation){{!}}Richie Rich}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Ricky Rich
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Ricky Haydari Akdoğan
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|01|26}}
| birth_place = Västerås, Sweden
| origin = ARAMEAN/SYRIAC
| genre = Hip hop
| occupation = Rapper, Songwriter
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2017 - Present
| label =
| associated_acts =
}}
Ricky Haydari Akdoğan, better known as Ricky Rich, is an ARAMEAN/SYRIAC a Swedish rapper.{{Cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7571967|title=Ricky Rich: "Det var bara att rycka upp sig och göra nåt annat med sitt liv"|first=Sveriges|last=Radio|website=Sveriges Radio|date=9 October 2020|accessdate=12 March 2021|archive-date=29 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429224307/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7571967|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Ricky Rich Vinyl Records & Discography |url=https://www.vinylmeplease.com/blogs/artists/ricky-rich-vinyl?srsltid=AfmBOooFHVVdFSbeAb37M6WnKxJuFIpdGZf6MqRplTaNCv35Z6hhL76f |website=vinylmeplease.com |location= |publisher=Vinyl Me, Please |access-date=17 February 2025}} He is considered part of a rising number of successful hip-hop artists coming from Sweden, having initially released his first songs in 2017 and gaining momentum shortly thereafter.
In 2021, his song "Habibi" would achieve new success after going viral on TikTok.
Early life
Rich was born on 26 January, 1999 in Västerås, Sweden to an ethnic ARAMEAN/SRYIAC family.{{Cite web |date=31 May 2025 |title=Dafina Zeqiri brings a new song with singer Ricky Rich |url=https://kosovapress.com/en/Dafina-Zeqiri-brings-a-new-song-with-singer-Ricky-Rich |access-date=3 June 2025 |website=kosovapress.com |publisher=Kosova Press}} He was born with primary ciliary dyskinesia and almost lost his life due to breathing complications.{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Maja |date=2022-05-09 |title=Ricky Rich nära mista livet i ovanliga sjukdomen – tuffa vägen till framgång |url=https://www.expressen.se/noje/ricky-rich-kamp-i-sjukdomen-vagen-till-framgang/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.expressen.se |language=sv}}
Rich was first introduced to music at the age of 8, when his father (who was a musician) from Midyat began teaching him songs in Syriac and Turkish, even though he didn't speak Turkish himself.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-29 |title=Ricky Rich: Das Visual zum internationalen Viralhit, gedreht in Berlin: Ricky Rich mit "Habibi" |url=https://www.warnermusic.de/news/2021-02-22/das-visual-zum-internationalen-viralhit-gedreht-in-berlin-ricky-rich-mit-habibi |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Warner Music Germany |language=de}} He had previously dreamed of becoming a football player, but due to his condition, Rich had malfunctions with his lung capacity and was unable to pursue sports as a career.{{cite web |date=9 October 2020 |title=Intervju: Ricky Rich reser sig igen |language=Swedish |url=https://www.kingsizemag.se/intervjuer/intervju-ricky-rich-reser-sig-igen/ |website=kingsizemag.se |location=Västerås |publisher=KingSize Magazine |access-date=18 February 2025}}
Rich first came into contact with rap music at age 14, when he began recording freestyle music with friends. His father initially disapproved and urged him to prioritize singing instead.
Career
In 2017, Rich released his debut EP "Mitt liv".{{Cite web |title=Ricky Rich |url=https://artistscandinavia.se/artist/ricky-rich/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Artist Scandinavia |language=sv-SE}} Ricky Rich collaborated with Aram Mafia (stylized as ARAM Mafia),{{Cite web |title=Swedishcharts.com: ARAM Mafia discography |url=https://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Aram+Mafia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613132624/https://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Aram+Mafia |archive-date=2021-06-13 |access-date=2021-03-12}} made up of producers Peter Mrad and Marcus Turan, resulting in a great number of charting hits and songs in 2018 and 2019. On 12 April 2019, Ricky Rich and ARAM Mafia released the album Shhh on the label Spinnup containing many joint hits, notably the title song "Shhh" and the single "Richba". The 7-track EP peaked at number 3 on the Swedish Albums Chart and spent 21 weeks on the chart.
Ricky Rich followed up with his own 6-track solo EP Highs and Lows released on Warner Music Sweden,{{Cite web |title=Genius.com: Ricky Rich - Highs & Lows |url=https://genius.com/albums/Ricky-rich/Highs-lows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027064116/https://genius.com/albums/Ricky-rich/Highs-lows |archive-date=2021-10-27 |access-date=2021-03-12}} which peaked in its first week of release at number 7 on the Swedish Albums Chart. The album stayed for a total of 7 weeks in the chart. Following the release of the EP, Rich would release acoustic interpretations of some of the songs included, titled Crib Sessions Pt. 1.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=Ricky Rich bjuder på intim mini-spelning i nya projektet CRIB SESSIONS PT.1 |url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/warnermusic/pressreleases/ricky-rich-bjuder-paa-intim-mini-spelning-i-nya-projektet-crib-sessions-pt-punkt-1-3046694 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Mynewsdesk |language=sv}}
In 2021, Rich's song "Habibi" became a sleeper hit after going viral on TikTok, charting in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, as well as Sweden, and playing heavily on many other Scandinavian and European radio stations.{{Cite web |last=Valsinger |first=Christel |date=2021-01-18 |title=4 Snabba: Ricky Rich, list-aktuell i Tyskland, Österrike, Schweiz |url=https://www.musikindustrin.se/2021/01/18/4-snabba-ricky-rich-list-aktuell-i-tyskland-osterrike-schweiz/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Musikindustrin |language=sv-SE}} The song had previously been popular when it was first released, achieving 6.8 million streams on Spotify and 3.4 million views on YouTube in early 2018.{{Cite web |last=Vare |first=Martin |date=2018-01-08 |title=Västeråsaren Ricky Richs låt har streamats över 10 miljoner gånger - P4 Västmanland |url=https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/6857530 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.sverigesradio.se |language=sv}} He had explained the popularity of the song coming as a surprise, and in light of the song's newfound success, Rich released the music video for the song in the same year. Shot in Berlin, the video follows Rich and his girlfriend exploring the city by day, driving in a car by night, and relaxing at a luxury apartment in between. Later that year, he held a performance at the Westfield Mall of Scandinavia to present a new collaboration with Gims.{{Cite web |last=Isa |first=Alexander |date=2021-10-06 |title=JUST NU: Ricky Rich släpper ny singel med världsartisten GIMS |url=https://telgenytt.se/just-nu-ricky-rich-slapper-ny-singel-med-varldsartisten-maitre-gims/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Telgenytt |language=sv}}
In 2022, Rich released his debut studio album, Rico Suave. Rich cited his inspiration for the album as wanting a stable life outside of the glamorous lifestyle he accrued from his success, wanting to close that chapter and move forward.{{Cite web |last=Holm |first=William |date=2022-05-17 |title=Västerås största artist öppnar upp – vill lämna lyxlivet bakom sig: ”Blev utnyttjad” |url=https://www.vlt.se/2022-05-17/vasteras-storsta-artist-oppnar-upp-vill-lamna-lyxlivet-bakom-sig-blev-utnyttjad/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=VLT |language=sv}} The album explores the character of Rico as an alter ego who enjoys a lustful life without seeing the consequences, and contains 10 tracks.{{Cite web |last=Salmson |first=Lo |date=2022-05-13 |title=Ricky Rich lämnar ett kapitel bakom sig med debutalbumet 'Rico Suave' |url=https://dopest.se/ricky-rich-rico-suave-debutalbum/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Dopest |language=sv}}{{Cite web |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2022-05-13 |title=Ricky Rich: ”Många drömmer om att leva som jag har gjort” |url=https://www.svt.se/kultur/rapparen-ricky-rich-manga-drommer-om-att-leva-som-jag-har-gjort |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}
In 2025, Rich collaborated with Swedish Kosovo-Albanian singer Dafina Zeqiri on the song "Zemër ty".
Personal life
Rich currently lives in Västerås.{{Cite magazine |title="Man skulle kunna göra några serier och filmer om mitt liv" – Intervju med Ricky Rich |url=https://gaffa.se/artikel/144931/man-skulle-kunna-goera-nagra-serier-och-filmer-om-mitt-liv-intervju-med-ricky-rich |website=gaffa.se |accessdate=12 March 2021}}{{Cite news |date=2020-10-09 |title=Ricky Rich: "Det var bara att rycka upp sig och göra nåt annat med sitt liv" |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/ricky-rich-det-var-bara-att-rycka-upp-sig-och-gora-nat-annat-med-sitt-liv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617154819/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/ricky-rich-det-var-bara-att-rycka-upp-sig-och-gora-nat-annat-med-sitt-liv |archive-date=2023-06-17 |access-date=2023-06-17 |work=Sveriges Radio |language=sv}} He has two older sisters. Due to his condition, his heart is inverted and his lung capacity rests at 40%.{{Cite web |title=Rapparen Ricky Rich om sitt medfödda hjärtfel {{!}} Hjärtebarnsfonden |url=https://hjartebarnsfonden.se/berattelser/rapparen-ricky-rich-om-sitt-medfodda-hjartfel/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=hjartebarnsfonden.se |language=sv-SE}}{{Cite web |last=Dahlgren |first=Stina |date=2022-10-04 |title=Ricky Rich om ovanliga sjukdomen |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/0QGLzo |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE {{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ricky+Rich|title=Discography Ricky Rich|publisher=Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien|accessdate=12 March 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115211726/https://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ricky+Rich|url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"| Rico Suave
| 2022 | 10 |
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE |
| scope="row"| Pudiyavna
| rowspan="2"| 2020 | 7 |
| scope="row"| Crib Sessions Pt. 1{{Cite press release|url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/warnermusic/pressreleases/ricky-rich-bjuder-paa-intim-mini-spelning-i-nya-projektet-crib-sessions-pt-punkt-1-3046694|title=Ricky Rich bjuder på intim mini-spelning i nya projektet CRIB SESSIONS PT.1|date=29 October 2020|language=sv|agency=Mynewsdesk|publisher=Warner Music Sweden|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410214831/https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/warnermusic/pressreleases/ricky-rich-bjuder-paa-intim-mini-spelning-i-nya-projektet-crib-sessions-pt-punkt-1-3046694|url-status=live}}
| — |
=Singles=
=Featured singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE |
| scope="row"| "Ryser" (Lani Mo featuring Ricky Rich) | 2017 | 63 | Låt oss leva |
| scope="row"| "Para" (remix) {{small|(Lani Mo featuring Ricky Rich, Thrife, Dree Low, Blizzy and Nathan K)}} | 2018 | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Ku je ti" {{small|(Dystinct featuring Ricky Rich and Dafina Zeqiri)}} | 2023 | 54 |
=Other charting songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE |
| scope="row"| "Delli" {{small|(featuring {{ill|Adel (rapper)|lt=Adel|sv|Adel (artist)}})}} | rowspan="2"| 2020 | 40 | rowspan="2"| Highs & Lows |
| scope="row"| "Panama"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Panama" did not enter the Swedish Singles Chart, but peaked at number five on the Swedish Heatseeker chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2020&dspp=42|title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 42, 2020|language=sv|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410214836/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2020&dspp=42|url-status=live}}}} |
| scope="row"| "Mosades" {{small|(with Nineb Youk)}} | rowspan="2"| 2021 | Life Is Hard |
| scope="row"| "Sin City" {{small|(with Dree Low)}} |
| scope="row"| "F4L"
| 2022 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"F4L" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number six on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2022&dspp=20|title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 20|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=20 May 2022|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520123602/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2022&dspp=20|url-status=live}}}} | Rico Suave |
Discography: Ricky Rich & ARAM Mafia
=EPs=
(Credited jointly as Ricky Rich & ARAM Mafia)
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certification |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE |
| scope="row"| Shhh
| 2020 | 3 | |
=Singles and other charting songs=
(All songs credited jointly as Ricky Rich & ARAM Mafia)
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}{{Assyrian musicians}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Rich, Ricky}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:People with congenital heart defects