Who is Roman Ricardo?
Some artists appear fully formed—unmistakably unique and impossible to ignore. Roman Ricardo is one of them.
If you’re tapped into the underground music scenes of South Jersey or Philly, chances are his name has already made its way to your ears. Whether it’s through word of mouth around Rowan University or one of his immersive, self-produced tracks floating through your algorithm, Roman Ricardo is a name you’ll want to remember.
But who is Roman Ricardo?
We caught up with the multifaceted artist to discuss his origin story, creative process, and vision behind the sound.
Roman Ricardo The Artist
“Music for me is everything,” Roman tells us. “Listening to albums start to finish and creating music is some of the most fulfilling things I do in this life.”
That passion shows in every part of his process. Roman doesn’t just write songs—he builds entire sonic worlds. He’s a one-man music factory, doing everything on his solo releases: writing, recording, producing, mixing, editing, playing the instruments, and even mastering the final product.
“I’m a sucker for well-packaged finished products… that great, exciting start-to-finish experience. That’s definitely my main passion when I’m making music.”
Roman’s all-in approach means each project is directly related to his creative vision—there are no filters or middlemen.
Origins & Influences
Roman Ricardo hails from Manalapan, NJ, but his music journey kicked off in an unlikely place: summer camp.
“When I was 11, I met Josh Rosa, aka Floc Rosa, who showed me how to make beats on my phone using GarageBand. Since then, it’s been my passion—the only thing I do.”
His musical foundation was laid early, and as he grew, two albums became cornerstones of his sound: Frank Ocean’s Blonde and Kanye West’s Yeezus. “These two albums make up the majority of the aesthetic I lean into when creating. They’re perfect products… they changed my whole perspective of what a great album is.”
First live show
From headphones to house speakers, Roman’s music made its way onto the stage on December 19, when he performed live for the first time at The Fire in Philly.
Sharing the bill with Tom Musain, Nico Davis, Linwood, and Raq Monét, the show marked a milestone for the DIY producer now entering the live performance world.
“It was special,” he says—short and sweet, like a true artist letting the music do most of the talking.
Thoughts on the Local Scene
Roman has a deep respect for the South Jersey underground.
“The underground scene is packed with talent—always dope stuff being played. The energy at basement shows around Rowan is crazy. Those mosh pits ain’t no joke.”
But he’s also got a vision for what could be better.
“I wish there was more individuality and uniqueness in the performances. I love it when an artist puts on a show, not just plays songs.”
It’s a fair callout that reflects Roman’s attention to artistic detail and full-package presentation.
Favorite Local Collaborators
When asked about his favorite collaborators, Roman name-drops some of the region’s most exciting names: Tom Musain, Destin Miles, Isen, Hellsentxo, Yung Dread Da Prophet, and Nitro.
“I’ve produced and mixed for all of them—they’ve all got unique sounds.”
His strongest musical bond, though, is with Tom Musain.
“Definitely Tom. We made an ambient project together called Kenopsia (out now on all platforms). We’ve got great chemistry—we’re always working on new sounds.”
Latest EP Deja Vu
If you’re just getting into Roman’s world, his latest EP, Deja Vu, is your entry point.
It’s a mix of different genres and aesthetics—if I had to sum it up, I’d say psychedelic, experimental pop”
True to form, Roman wrote, produced, mixed, and mastered the entire project. The only exceptions? Jalen Robinson on drums and Max Adam on bass for the track “Untitled.”
Be sure to check out the Deja Vu music video on YouTube, shot by Yung Dread Da Prophet and edited by Roman himself. It’s a trippy, immersive piece that mirrors the EP’s exploratory energy.
Follow Roman Ricardo
Roman Ricardo is the kind of artist who makes you excited about the future of music—he has raw talent, a clear vision, and a relentless DIY work ethic.
Follow him on socials here. Stream his music on SoundCloud and stay tapped in.
Pull up to a show if you’re in the South Jersey or Philly area. You won’t just hear his music—you’ll experience it.
For more from Lucid Media Blog, follow our social media and be sure to reach out, especially artists in the South Jersey and Philly tri-state area, and as always…
STAY LUCID
- Justin “JD” Martin, Lucid Media Blog
