April 26, 2018 For Immediate Release Ric Wilson Announces New EP, BANBA, Out May 18th on Innova<ve Leisure Listen To “Split” (feat. Sen Morimoto) hps://soundcloud.com/ricwilsonisme/split-feat-sen-morimoto-prod-hirsh-2/s-FcagV (BANBA EP cover art) "...his work is grounded in poliEcal awareness and confident poeEcs. Yet more than anything, he seems interested in conveying his own personality through his music—both as a recording arEst and as an entertainer.” — Noisey "If you’ve yet to experience the jubilance of Ric Wilson, jump back and get familiar with one of our favorite young guns in the game. — Okayplayer "He may be just old enough to drink, but it feels like he’s been making music for decades.” — Mass Appeal "With his wiRy wordplay laid over soulful instrumentals, Wilson produces some of the most exciEng new music to come out of Chicago." — Chicago Tribune’s Red Eye Chicago's own nouveau disco-rap superstar, Ric Wilson, is pleased to announce his new EP, BANBA, out May 18th on Innova<ve Leisure. A 22 year-old community acEvist and arEst based on the Southside of Chicago, Ric got his start with the legendary YCA (Young Chicago Authors), the Chicago-based storytelling and poetry organizaEon which helped launch the likes of Saba, Jamila Woods, Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins, Noname, and many others. The EP’s first single, “Split,” premiered earlier this morning via Noisey. “I wrote ‘Split’ in the middle of a relaEonship that was going south,” says Ric. “The song is about how someEmes the best decisions you'll make in life are the ugliest and hardest, but the healthiest for you.” BANBA is Wilson’s first release since 2017’s acclaimed Negrow Disco EP (stream here). “When I dropped out of college to do music, I caught myself trying to explain the music I do in a different light than what it really was because I was scared of other people's percepEon of my ‘rap music,’ Ric says. “I feel like people don’t appreciate rap as an actual art form, which is insane because there’s an art to rhyming, every beat is a colorful canvas and every lyric and rhyme is a stroke of mine.” As for the EP’s cover, it’s “an ode to Basiqaut and Hebru Brantley who are my favorite visual arEsts,” says Ric. I want people to feel like they’re in a Basiqaut and Brantley-inspired painEng when they’re listening to this EP.” Listen to Ric Wilson’s “Split” (feat. Sen Morimoto) — hps://soundcloud.com/ricwilsonisme/split-feat-sen-morimoto-prod-hirsh-2/s-FcagV Pre-order BANBA — hps://ricwilson.bandcamp.com/album/banba Download hi-res images & album art — hp://pitchperfectpr.com/ric-wilson/ (“Split” single cover art) Ar<st Site | Soundcloud | Instagram | TwiIer | Innova<ve Leisure For more informaEon, contact: Sam McAllister | Pitch Perfect PR — [email protected], 773-271-6844.