Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricole Barnes.
Hi Ricole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Ricole Barnes, also known as Retro/Ricole. Originally from Frederick, Maryland, and now residing in Montgomery County, my musical journey began at the age of nine when I started rapping. That early passion for hip-hop eventually led me to teach myself piano and drums, expanding my musical abilities and appreciation for different genres. Over the years, I’ve explored music through songwriting, recording, producing, and performing. My creative journey includes my work as a solo artist, the genre-blending band daMOOD, and BIKES, a collaborative project with fellow musician Mossfrench. I’ve also built an extensive career as a professional DJ, performing at weddings and special events. Alongside my musical career, I’ve dedicated 23 years to the YMCA of Frederick County, spending 21 years in Youth Development before transitioning into Arts and Humanities. Today, I serve as Site Director of the Y Arts Center (YAAC), overseeing daily operations and programming in art, music, and dance. I also serve as Musical Director and co-host of The YAAC Show, a live entertainment platform showcasing musicians, artists, and creative voices throughout the Frederick community. Whether I’m performing onstage, working behind the scenes, or creating opportunities for others, my passion remains the same: using music and the arts to connect, inspire, and bring people together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
That’s a really tough question to answer, mainly because I think I may have placed limitations on myself in the past, even before the road became bumpy. Looking back at the path I’ve taken to get to this point, it’s been a relatively smooth but long journey, largely because of the pace at which I was moving through life. It’s really only been within the last two years that I’ve felt like I’ve truly arrived. Now, I’m excited about where I am, what lies ahead, and the opportunity to explore new avenues and possibilities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At this point I’m considered a multi-disciplinary artist. A recording artist in multiple iterations. A DJ and arts professional. Hip-Hop culture is essentially my foundation and if I where to have a Wikipedia page the first thing it would say is American rapper which is dope. When people approach me and say that they’ve been affected one way or another from a performance, song or quote or conversation that I’m grateful and flattered and humbled by it. It’s how you made them feel and if it has a positive effect that makes me proud. I think that my ability to reinvent my approach or sometimes innovate has always help to set apart my cultural identity especially in the creative world.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I genuinely care about the craft and how my work is received. I also care about the audience and the impact it has on them, whether it inspires, motivates, or simply provides a moment of entertainment and enjoyment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ricolebarnes
- Facebook: Retro/Ricole
- Twitter: ricolebarnes
- Youtube: ricolebarnes
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4kwfwbNmXbNdLwvJnvNCP0?si=ZWsTjQqHT5–8SwbFYnObw
