Ephrem Louis Lopez, Jr., known professionally as RiotUSA, is an American record producer, songwriter, and rapper.[2] Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx[citation needed], he is best known for his musical productions for fellow Bronx native and rapper Ice Spice, who he met at State University of New York at Purchase in 2021.[3]
RiotUSA | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ephrem Louis Lopez, Jr. |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | 2000 or 2001 (age 23–24)[1] Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Origin | The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2021–present |
| Father | DJ Enuff |
RiotUSA first gained major recognition in late 2022 after producing Ice Spice's breakout single "Munch (Feelin' U)", along with her follow-up singles "Bikini Bottom" and "In Ha Mood".[4] He co-wrote and produced the entirety of her debut extended play, Like..? (2023), while also serving as executive producer on the project.[2][4] That same year, he produced and co-wrote "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) from the soundtrack to the 2023 film Barbie, and co-wrote the remix of "Karma", by Taylor Swift featuring Ice Spice.[3][2]
Early life
editEphrem Louis Lopez, Jr. was born in Manhattan,[5] and raised in the Bronx.[citation needed] His father is DJ Enuff, a radio personality and disc jockey known for his work on New York City's Hot 97 and for being the Notorious B.I.G.'s road DJ.[1] His mother also worked in the music industry. He started making beats in GarageBand when he was ten years old.[4]
Lopez attended State University of New York at Purchase, where he studied communications and later met his future collaborator Ice Spice.[5][2]
Career
editRiot met Ice Spice in 2021, and the two started collaborating soon after. He produced her debut song, "Bully Freestyle", released in March 2021.[6]
On August 10, 2022, Ice Spice released her song "Munch (Feelin' U)", produced by RiotUSA. The song gained popularity after getting support from Drake, and subsequently went viral on Twitter and TikTok. It peaked at No. 5 and 34 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, respectively.[7][8]
Ice Spice's debut EP, Like..? was released on January 20, 2023. In addition to serving as executive producer, RiotUSA produced and co-wrote every track on the project.[2][4] Later the same year, he signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.[9][10]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 66th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Song Written for Visual Media (Barbie World) | Nominated | |
| Best Rap Song (Barbie World) | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Mahadevan, Tara (February 3, 2024). "DJ Enuff on How Proud He Is of His Son, Ice Spice's Producer Riot USA". Complex. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Unterberger, Andrew (August 7, 2023). "How RIOTUSA & Ice Spice Brought Drill Music to 'Barbie': 'I Always Had a Bigger Vision for It'". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Garcia, Thania; Aswad, Jem (January 16, 2023). "Music Industry Moves: Ice Spice Producer RiotUSA Signs Global Deal With Warner Chappell Music". Variety. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Mitchell, Gail (December 15, 2023). "Ice Spice Producer RIOTUSA: 'We're Working on Her Debut Album as We Speak'". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Mwai, Kui (February 15, 2024). "Stop Playing With 'Em, Riot: Who Is RIOTUSA? What To Know About Ice Spice's Longtime Producer". Blavity. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Verma, Millan (July 7, 2022). ""I Must Be Doing Something Right": An Interview With Ice Spice". Audiomack. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Ice Spice Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Ice Spice Chart History (Hot Hip-Hop/R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Ihaza, Jeff (August 14, 2023). "RiotUSA". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "RIOTUSA '22 Signs Global Publishing Deal". State University of New York at Purchase. October 11, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2024.