Riko (real name Zane Williams) is a grimeMC from East London, and a member of the grimecrewRoll Deep. He is also a part of the collective Cemetary Warriors. He was originally a drum and bass MC, starting at 15 years of age and honing his skills on pirate radio stations such as Pressure FM with Slimzee and Geeneus. He also used to MC on Rude FM with B Live/Evil B. Riko became a member of Pay As U Go in the early days of his career before going to jail for a commercial robbery which he later stated he regretted.
After he got out of prison Riko was still a member of Pay As U Go but like Target he gradually became more associated with Roll Deep as Pay As U Go disintegrated. At this period Pay As U Go was still partially in existence although Roll Deep was increasingly more relevant. Riko says he grew up with Wiley, Karnage and Flow Dan. He was also close to Geeneus and God's Gift in his early career.
After his release from prison he said the following about his crew membership:
"Topshota: When you’re on with Pay As U Go you include their name in your lyrics but other times you are with Roll Deep so which crew are you in? Riko: I knew this would come up! Right now I am in Pay As U Go. It’s just that Wiley, Flow Dan and Karnage I grew up with them, I don’t mean to say I’m Roll Deep it just comes out, and I can’t really say Pay As U Go."[1]
Riko has been a member of Roll Deep for about half a decade, joining before In At The Deep End, although in 2010 he took a back seat in the crew deciding to pursue a solo career.
Riko is signed to the Slaughterhouse Rydims record label, and released the 'Blowing Up Again EP' on October 4th 2010. His mixtape, Sleeping Giant, was released on November 15th 2010. It featured 'The Phone Call', which had a YouTube video featuring reformed gangster Dave Courtney, 'Call Of Duty', which had been played on Logan Sama's radio show on Kiss in the run-up to the mixtape, and all of the tracks from the 'Blowing Up Again EP', amongst numerous other songs.
On 5 September 2011 Riko released the Warfare EP on which he spat over three beats by producerSNK. Riko featured on the remix of Manga's single 'No MC' alongside Manga, Brazen, Discarda, Breeze and Flow Dan. The original single, along with this remix and another Scratchyremix, was released on 25 September 2011.
Beef
Riko has intervened on Wiley's side in Wiley's clashes with the following:
The following features are not in the table above as details such as Year Of Release, Artist Names or Label Details and Release Details were un-available.
