07.1.2025
Rio Da Yung OG Continues His Successful Homecoming, Sharing New Single “Sneaky ‘B’“
“Sneaky ‘B'” Will Appear on F.L.I.N.T. (Feelin’ Like I’m Not Thru), the Red Hot Michigan Rapper’s Next Album, Out This Summer via EMPIRE”
Critical Praise:
“…it’s good to have him back.” – Pitchfork
“…the loose-lipped, punchline god from Flint who became a Michigan rap titan” – Pitchfork
#66 Best Album of the Decade So Far (City On My Back) – Even his offhand comments have the power to smack you with bitter truths while you try to hold back the laughter.” – Passion of the Weiss
Best Albums of 2025 So Far (RIO FREE (Something Happen)) – The FADER
“I cannot possibly list all the lines that made me laugh out loud” – Stereogum
“Even his offhand comments have the power to smack you with bitter truths while you try to hold back the laughter.” – Passion of the Weiss
The Announcement:
Flint, MI’s Rio Da Yung OG used his sharp sense of humor and candid authenticity to build a fanbase fervent enough to support him through legal issues that might have derailed a lesser artist’s career. Now, finally on the verge of putting his troubles behind him once and for all, Rio is on a tear, dropping some of the best music of his career and preparing to launch his first ever tour.
The Michigan rap titan’s comeback culminates this summer, with the release of his upcoming album, F.L.I.N.T. (Feeling Like I’m Not Thru). The follow-up to his 2025 EP RIO FREE, recorded shortly after Rio ended a bid in federal prison in December 2024, and its February expansion RIO FREE (Something Happen), F.L.I.N.T. is one of Rio’s most focused and cohesive projects to date, paying tribute to the hardscrabble hometown that raised him and the fans who continue to hold him down. F.L.I.N.T. (Feeling Like I’m Not Thru) arrives this summer via #Boyz Entertainment LLC / EMPIRE.
Along with the announcement of F.L.I.N.T., Rio shares “Sneaky ‘B’,” the first single from the upcoming album. Produced by a frequent Rio collaborator, Michigan rap sound architect Danny G Beats, “Sneaky B” is a endless cascade of out-of-pocket punchlines, as Rio locks in over detuned synth strings and blown-out 808s. The song is a glimpse into Rio’s one-of-a-kind mind, capable of stringing together flexes that nobody else could have conceived of: “Caught a body when I had a fade, I had to grow some hair/I stand on so much business, I don’t own a chair.”
Stream “Sneaky ‘B'”: https://music.empi.re/sneakyb
Emerging out of Flint in the late 2010s, Rio Da Yung OG helped transform his working class city into one of the most exciting rap hotbeds of the past several years. Elevated by notable co-signs from Detroit rappers like Peezy and buoyed by fan excitement over his freestyles and guest spots, Rio stormed onto the national scene, garnering overwhelming critical acclaim for releases like 2020’s City On My Back (named the #66 Best Album of the 2020s So Far by Pitchfork), Fiends Don’t Matter, 2 FACED, and his Dum and Dumber mixtape series with fellow Flint punchline artist Rmc Mike. During this time, Rio released some of his scene’s defining rap hits, including “Movie” ft. Louie Ray, “Chicken Coupe” ft. Peezy, and “1v1,” his collaboration with Lil Yachty. Just as his career was hitting high gear, Rio hit an obstacle in the form of a 4-year prison sentence. In late 2021, he left words of wisdom for his fans in the form of his “Last Day Out” freestyle, and went away. Even prison couldn’t stop Rio from putting in work. Fans rallied behind his 2019 hit “Legendary,” which grew into his biggest hit, generating hundreds of millions of streams.
In December 2024, Rio returned to the scene with a bang, releasing the epic first day out freestyle “RIO FREE,” racking up over 1 million views in a day and 8 million streams in just three days. The music video trended #1 on YouTube Music for three weeks straight. “RIO FREE” paved the way for the RIO FREE EP, which earned praise from Pitchfork, and its expansion RIO FREE (Something Happen), named one of the Best Albums of 2025 So Far by The FADER. In early January, Rio performed his first concert since 2021, selling out a star-studded show in Detroit, and in April, “Legendary” earned PLATINUM status from the RIAA, making Rio the first-ever rapper from Flint to earn a PLATINUM record. Rio has also been a willing collaborator, jumping on the viral “Shark” with Jorjiana, recently performed at the NBA Finals, appearing on Money Man’s new album, and reuniting with Rmc Mike for “Bragging Rights,” currently trending at #28 on YouTube for music with nearly 1 million views since its release last week.
In July, Rio embarks upon his first-ever nationwide tour: the “Welcome Home Tour,” featuring support from Baby Money, FBLManny, and many special guests. The epic tour spans over 60 dates, kicking off in Detroit on July 17th (Music Hall Detroit) and passing through San Francisco on August 10th (Regency Ballroom), Los Angeles on August 12th (The Belasco Theater), Houston on August 30th (9pm Music Venue), and New York on September 24th (Webster Hall) before concluding in Chicago on October 11th (Patio Theater).
View a full list of tour dates and purchase tickets at https://www.touringwithrio.com/
With F.L.I.N.T. on the way and more excitement in the future, Rio looks to make 2025 his year. Stay tuned for more music and announcements in the coming weeks.
Please contact Michelle or Annjie for more info.
Links:
official site | instagram | youtube | spotify | tiktok | apple
“Sneaky B”: https://music.empi.re/sneakyb
RIO FREE (Something Happen): https://music.empi.re/riosomethinghappen
Buy tickets for Rio’s “Welcome Home Tour”: https://www.touringwithrio.com/