Primo EP makes moombahton, and other similar genres surrounding it, sound fresh and clean again. The overall EP stays true to the “slurred melody” element and tempo moombah is known for, but Ricky Vaughn explores some fresh sounds and samples in Primo. With this, Ricky Vaughn also included a wide array of other genres on the EP, featured via tracks like “It’s Real”‘ and “Summer Love.”
It was hard to pick a favorite on this EP, because each track really stands on it’s own to feet, but “Way Up” is an unforgettable one due to it’s unique mixture of various moods, tempo changes, and just overall weirdness within. Another one that’s easy to love is “The Terror,” which goes heavy on some moombahton and jungle terror vibes.
Primo EP is a great blend of nostalgic early 2010’s elements and edgy genre hybrids. If this is your first time hearing Ricky Vaughn, click here to read past articles about him on RaverRafting and check out our exclusive interview with him below.
Interview
2015 is all about setting yourself apart musically, how would you describe your overall core sound, but also what changes are you implementing in 2015 production-wise?
If I had to describe my overall sound I really couldn’t to be honest. As for 2015 compared to 2011, I would say the changes are that the music is more song-based as opposed to the bangers I made myself known for. My songs now are more vocal-based with sprinkles of the electronic sound I’ve done before.
Your name rings a bell with moombahton fans. Over the years and even recently, acts like Dillon Francis and Major Lazer have branded themselves with the genre, getting the genre out there, but moombahton never had a massive peak moment like trap or tropical house has, it’s always stayed sort of underground, do you have an opinion on why this is?
I think the reason it hasn’t peaked in the same way that trap or tropical house has is because when you start categorizing a sound that is heavily Latin based you automatically lose the mainstream demographic. When I say this, I’m saying it from situations where major brands/festivals/agencies/managers all said “no thanks” because they were not going to be able to: 1. Explain and 2. Market this product to the general public without them looking at it as reggaeton beats with no lyrics.
The reason Major Lazer/Diplo have been successful with “sprinkles” of the sound is because they/he never associates the music with the word “moombahton”. First off, I understand and if I was him I wouldn’t either, but on the other hand I’m not him and if he did push the word, the movement would be wayyyyyyy farther along than it is. Secondly, Dillon Francis is a great producer but in my personal opinion he hasn’t made what I would consider to be moombahton since the ‘Westside’ EP. Again this is just my opinion, he’s very successful because along with good music he’s presented the electronic culture with a fun brand via his merch and social media.
Also, America’s mainstream culture revolves around African American culture so much that if moombahton were to make it to mainstream, America would have to accept Latin culture on a whole new level. Think about it, almost every form of music has roots in black culture from jazz, rock n roll, pop, blues and so on. I don’t say this from a place of racial discrimination, I’m saying it because I understand it and know why the system works the way it does.
The reason trap skyrocketed was because it lent itself to the hip-hop culture from the start, and honestly in 2015 who doesn’t listen hip-hop? As far as tropical house, who doesn’t like house music?
What were fans attracted to (about moombahton) in 2011 and what has changed in 2015?
What attracted fans to moombahton in 2011 was the culture. Go back to the first few articles about it, it was a handful of guys taking this sound and creating an environment that was missing from electronic music at that moment. I say this filled with every emotion my body can express as a human being, “YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND MOOMBAHTON ‘TIL YOU SEE IT LIVE.” And I don’t mean main stage EDC LV or something like that. I’m talking hole in the wall bar, 200 ppl sweating/gyrating, “Riverside” slow Dutch synth blaring, “Munchi Whistle”, “Heartbreak!/Sazon Booya/Hoe Got Something Vibrate/AY Tan Suci” vocal screaming type of fucking party. If you’re confused by any of that, you don’t know anything about moombahton.
What has changed is that a lot of artists went their separate ways, switched genres, or exhausted all options (including myself) to the point that there is no foundation anymore for the genre to flourish. It kind of just exists as an orphan in the world of electronic music. There’s no more culture.
Are their certain venues/cities that are known for throwing down hard at moombahton shows?
Mexico, DC, & LA
What was the main feeling or theme you wanted to convey with Primo EP?
I just wanted to convey the feeling of me evolving as an artist who thinks outside of the box, more fusing all types of music together without being confined to one style.
Primo is made up of mostly collaborations, how did you go about the selection process of who to collaborate with on this EP?
There was no real selection process in putting together the collaborations on this EP. I’ve been working on an album for over a year now and have about 50-60 unheard songs. Lots of the collaborations have generated just from people I was a fan of and wanted to work with or people I met over time on the road or in the studio.
Do you have a favorite off the EP?
My favorites on the EP are “The Terror”, “Way Up” and “It’s Real”.
What are some of dance music’s best moments in the past few years, and what direction do you see it going in in 2015/2016?
Honestly the best moments for me it would be the rise of moombahton, everything that Skrillex has been apart of and Diplo being the Quincy Jones of dance music. Where I see it going, I see it imploding and anyone who hasn’t prepared for that moment will be lost in the shuffle.
Where do you see yourself going in 2016?
For 2016, I see myself releasing my album, disappearing then rising again in a new & bigger way…
Connect with Ricky Vaughn:
https://www.facebook.com/WildThangRV
https://twitter.com/RickyVaughn_OFC
https://soundcloud.com/rickyvaughnofc
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