Bio

Ric Wilson, the Chicago-born rapper, performer, and activist, has been a relentless force of creativity and empowerment since his breakout with Soul Bounce (2016), Negrow Disco (2017), and BANBA (2018). Celebrated for blending Chicago soul, funk, and hip-hop, Wilson’s music is as joyous as it is transformative. His 2020 EP They Call Me Disco, a collaboration with Terrace Martin, further cemented his reputation, and his single “Fight Like Ida B & Marsha P.” became an anthem for resilience and justice.

Wilson’s live performances are legendary. From festivals like SXSW, Boston Calling, Rolling Loud, Governors Ball, and Pitchfork to sharing stages with icons like Cory Henry, Big Freedia, Chromeo, Black Pumas, Yellow Days and The Roots, he’s proven his ability to electrify any crowd. His 2019 Pitchfork set was named the 2nd best live show of the year by the Chicago Tribune. Most recently, he was hailed as a highlight of SXSW 2023 by Rolling Stone.

In 2022, Wilson’s momentum continued with a Rolling Stone x Bacardi cover story and accolades like TIME naming his song “COCO BADASS” among the Top 10 Songs of the Summer. His latest project, CLUSTERFUNK, sees him teaming up with Chromeo and A-Trak to deliver a genre-defying EP that fuses funk, soul, and hip-hop with intergenerational dialogue. Featuring collaborations with King Louie, Felicia Douglass, and Kiéla Adira, the project has garnered praise from Billboard, Uproxx, and The FADER.

Known as the “Free Disco Revolutionary,” Wilson’s music is a call to movement—both on the dancefloor and in the streets. His work channels timeless funk and soul traditions while pushing them into new, boundary-breaking territories. With vibrant, two-step-ready anthems, Ric Wilson invites listeners to fight the power and find their groove.