Talent: Richard Carter. Photographer: Lucas Wilson (Moja.)
The music, image, and personality of Richard Carter exist in a constantly shifting orbit, shaped by a wide spectrum of influences that began long before he released a single track. When asked what inspired him to blend genres as different as hip hop, orchestral, gospel, indie, and more, he explains simply that he grew up surrounded by all of them. He learned piano at four years old playing songs from Disney, Yiruma, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Hip hop came from his aunty and uncle. Jazz and gospel came from his mum. Indie and reggae came from his dad. This wide-reaching foundation became the fingerprint of everything he would later create.
Shirt & trousers: Theo. Rings: Rat Betty. Necklace: Frou York.
His spark for music arrived in an almost cinematic moment. Richard Carter found a piano outside his neighbor’s house, brought it inside, watched The Sound of Music, sang Veggie Tales, and he knew instantly that music would be his life. Growing up in South Norwood further shaped his identity, though not because he was surrounded by rap. In fact, he says there was not much rap around him at all. Instead, he dove into Eminem, Biggie, Nas, and Tupac. While others were taking in whatever media came their way, he was studying. He also lived online a lot, calling himself a big anime weeb and a big gamer, and in that digital space his inspirations became international.
One of the tracks that introduced his sound to the world was Le Monde, which appeared in the A24 film Talk To Me and has now passed 100 million streams. He originally created the song with three purposes in mind. It needed to blow up and get him paid. It needed to lose him a friend who was not really a friend. And it needed to express his fear of claustrophobia. Somehow it did all three. At the time, Richard Carter did not add vocals because he was still developing his flow. It was created back in 2017 during a period when he was experimenting with songs in a 3 4-time signature and changing how they made him feel. He was listening to Dr Dre’s album 2001 and specifically the track Xxplosive, which inspired the explosions, the g funk whistle, and the flat bassline in Le Monde. He describes it as technically a Dr Dre beat but remade in his own style.
Shirt & trousers: Theo. Rings: Rat Betty. Necklace: Frou York.
Seeing the song featured in a film was an overwhelming and eye-opening experience. He says it made him realize how many doors open and close, who is there for his best interest, who wants to take from him, and who he needs on his team if it happens again. He was in Los Angeles when it happened, far outside his comfort zone, taking a lot of calls at once. The overall feeling, he says, was a bit suffocating, which ties back into the claustrophobia he had unintentionally manifested.
His new EP, The Concept of Cool, came with an entire manifesto. To paraphrase, he says there are multiple ways to view the word cool. On the EP, Richard Carter covers both the Superman version of cool and the Clark Kent version. Superman is the irresistible, charming, explosive, stylized persona found in songs like Magic, Boo To You, and Swagga. Clark Kent is represented by WOTEVA, HERO, and PAID, songs that show the consequences of masking yourself, acting nonchalant, or performing personalities that are not true to who you are. For him, the ultimate version of cool is the uncool parts of yourself that you embrace fully. The coolest people do not care what others think about their uncool selves.
Jacket & shorts: Theo. Mesh vest: Ioedle. Rings: Rat Betty. Necklace: Frou York.
Balancing vulnerability and confidence are not a struggle for him. Richard Carter says he is comfortable in his skin and shares himself as vulnerably as possible because he knows someone out there appreciates that level of honesty. If you are a fan of him, he says, you are actually a fan of yourself.
His influences reach far and wide. Kanye West was his biggest influence starting at age sixteen. Before that, he was already obsessed after hearing Monster for the first time. Kanye showed him that he could flip, change, and experiment creatively as long as it was true to him. In secondary school, he listened to a lot of Die Antwoord, which influenced his zany backing vocals in tracks like WOTEVA. Damon Albarn taught him the use of lazy, distorted, brooding vocal textures and the blend of rap, guitars, and catchy, childlike hooks. His flows come from the greats. From his very first single, he was channeling Missy Elliott, Eminem, Nas, Canibus, Rakim, Biggie, and anyone who could fill a stadium. Currently he is deep in a Michael Jackson, Queen, Prince, and Dominic Fike phase, bringing more singing into his work.
Jacket & shorts: Theo. Mesh vest: Ioedle. Rings: Rat Betty. Necklace: Frou York.
His collaboration with ARTCODED Productions was strikingly positive. He describes the photoshoot as beautiful and says he felt very comfortable with the entire team. They heard his music and responded with genuine love and encouragement. He remains grateful for the chance to share himself with them.
Mental health plays a recurring role in his music because music itself is his emotional outlet. His dad often played songs with lyrics that said what he could not say directly. His mum communicated through singing. He inherited both tendencies. Creating music allows him to piece together his emotions and understand what he is feeling, which naturally leads him into mental health themes when that is what he is experiencing.
Jacket & shorts: Theo. Mesh vest: Ioedle. Rings: Rat Betty. Necklace: Frou York.
Music’s ability to start conversations about self-expression and emotional honesty is something he feels deeply. He says that music lets us say things we would never say in everyday conversation. It allows people to experience emotions more vividly, making music a massive empathy booster. We choose music for weddings, parties, funerals, and every meaningful moment because songs help a room understand the emotional assignment. In his words, musicians are scholars of emotion.
As a producer and songwriter, Richard Carter approaches each track by fully immersing himself in it. Every sound, mixing choice, and vocal melody is part of building a world. He even uses atmospheric sounds from real life. WOTEVA, for example, includes car and street noises. Each track exists in a different place with its own characters in his imagination.
Suit & shirt: Wealthyboysclub. Shoes: Freak Vault. Rings & necklace: Rat Betty.
When asked which track on the new EP feels most personal, he offers two. WOTEVA and HERO. WOTEVA explores the struggle of making decisions without being afraid of how others will judge those choices. He describes the familiar moment when someone says do whatever you want but you know they are going to judge you. He hates letting people down and is still working through that. HERO is about unmasking yourself and moving through the world on your own terms instead of trying to fit into the media’s portrayal of masculinity or normality. He says forget societal standards. Everyone is funky.
Suit & shirt: Wealthyboysclub. Shoes: Freak Vault. Rings & necklace: Rat Betty.
Winning the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Youth Music Awards brought him both opportunities and inspiration. Richard Carter loves Youth Music and calls them his people. He often sends them everything he makes first.
The message he hopes listeners take from The Concept of Cool is very simple. Always be you.
Success, for him, is measured by how many people he can get to sing a hook at a show. If 80 percent of the room is singing, then he considers it a win. His ultimate dream is to fill a stadium with people singing an anthem. That is his final boss.
Suit & shirt: Wealthyboysclub. Shoes: Freak Vault. Rings & necklace: Rat Betty.
The most challenging part of carving his own lane in alternative hip hop, he says, is dealing with business people who are terrified of change. They want to repeat what worked once instead of trying something new. He expresses himself in the present moment, and if someone does not like it, he prefers that they leave and make space for three more people who will join him. He refuses to stay in one lane. He paints, shifts, evolves. He is human.
Suit & shirt: Wealthyboysclub. Shoes: Freak Vault. Rings & necklace: Rat Betty.
Collaboration is a major part of his process, but he only works with visionaries. Richard wants people who finish a project and get excited about what else they can try. He dislikes forcing anyone to work without passion. Everyone he collaborates with brings something great. In his mind, they become instruments in his orchestra. His live band, he says, is made up of the most talented musicians he knows.
Jacket: Ioedle. Vest & suit trousers: Wealthyboysclub. Rings: Rat Betty.
When asked what impact he wants to have on the world, he says he wants people to let go of expectations, make mistakes, fail, get up, hug someone, talk about how they feel, take care of themselves, and touch grass. He wants people to find solace in his music when they need it. He wants to be a conduit for the human experience, so no one feels alone.
Looking ahead, Richard Carter envisions a blend of singing and rapping with much more guitar. He just started learning guitar and says it has unlocked new fun in his craft. He is pulling inspiration from Michael Jackson, The Police, Gorillaz, punk tones, and high-pitched whispery ad libs. He is following fashion, architecture, film, photography, art, and video games, observing great things to channel himself toward them, a practice he credits to Rick Rubin’s book. In the next few years he plans to do many more gigs, as performing live is his favorite part of being an artist. He wants to make the most raw music he can, share who he is, and make it sound sick.
Jacket: Ioedle. Vest & suit trousers: Wealthyboysclub. Rings: Rat Betty.
An ARTCODED Production @art.coded.
Talent: Richard Carter @justrichardcarter.
Producer: Gina Kim-Park @ginakpark & Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth.
Creative Direction: Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth & Lucas Wilson @moja.wtf.
Photography: Lucas Wilson (Moja) @moja.wtf.
Styling: Florentyna Syperek @florentyna_syperek.
Grooming: Charli Avery @charliaverymakeup using Merit Beauty.
Brands: @theo.official @ratbetty @frouyork @ioedle @wealthyboysclub_studio @shirtfreak
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
