Richard Preston Butler Jr. (born December 3, 1982), better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.

He attended Florida A&M and, while visiting Atlanta, worked his way into the music industry through connections with singer Usher, who became one of Butler's frequent collaborators.

[5][6][7] He has worked with artists such as Kelly Rowland,[8] Mario,[9] Chris Brown,[10] Alexandra Burke, Keri Hilson,[11] Fergie,[12] and Fantasia.

[13] As a recording artist, Butler has released two studio albums: TTLO (2015) and Even Kings Die (2018); the former spawned the single "They Don't Know", which moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100.

[21] Love wrote his own poems and went on to joining the African American Children's Theater where he recited Langston Hughes and acted.

"[21] While in college at Florida A&M University Love stayed involved in his music by winning many rap battles and talent shows.

[29] After 8-year hiatus from his solo career and signing his label Division 1 to a distribution deal with Interscope Records, Rico Love would release an extended play entitled Discrete Luxury, on February 27, 2014, which would be re-released.

[36] On February 18, 2015, Rico Love announced he would be releasing his debut studio album, titled Turn The Lights On, on May 19, 2015.

Love wrote the song "Throwback" at the request of Usher which was a part of the 2004 triple Grammy-winning album Confessions.

[43] In May 2008, "Energy" was released as the first single by Keri Hilson from her Gold album In a Perfect World....[44][45] The song was co-written and co-produced by Love for the Grammy-nominated artist.

[46] The song was featured on the deluxe version of her triple Platinum album The Dutchess and also the Gold-selling soundtrack to the film Sex and the City.

[12][47] In November 2008, Beyoncé's double Platinum[48] and 5× Grammy-winning album I Am... Sasha Fierce included four songs featuring Love's songwriting and production.

[49] By the end of 2008 in December, another Love co-written and co-produced track was released as a single for the Grammy-nominated artist Pleasure P.[50][51] "Boyfriend #2" reached No.

[54] At the end of March 2010 the single "Hello Good Morning" penned by Love for Diddy – Dirty Money was released.

[20] The song went on to achieve Gold status and was performed by DDM and Rico Love on season nine of American Idol.

[57][58] Nelly's 5.0 album, released in November 2010 contained eight works featuring Love's songwriting and production skills.

[59] Love wrote, produced, and appeared as an artist on Jamie Foxx's Best Night of My Life album released December 2010.

[7] He has also written and produced for Fergie, Chris Brown, ASAP Rocky, David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa, and Mary J.

[68] In November 2010, Love launched Division 1 which originally partnered with Universal Motown but later moved the venture to Interscope Records.