MangoThaMusicArtist, born Ricky “Mango” Manglona, is an independent rapper, singer, songwriter, and creative with California roots and a home base in Washington State. A military veteran with more than 20 years of service, Mango transforms experiences with relationships, struggle, travel, and different cultures into music that crosses genres and borders. His catalog includes collaborations with Baby Bash, M-Status, and international artists, blending hip-hop, R&B, West Coast influences, and global sounds. For MangoThaMusicArtist, music is about authenticity, connection, and creating without boundaries.
Where are you based?
I’m currently based in Washington State, but my roots are in California. I was born in Vallejo and spent much of my younger years in Fresno before eventually moving to Washington. I consider myself a West Coast artist with a global mindset because traveling and collaborating internationally have become such important parts of my music and creativity.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been making music for more than 20 years. I started recording around 2005 with my longtime friend, artist, and producer M-Status. Life and my military career took me in different directions over the years, but music never left me. In 2021, I really began a new chapter as MangoThaMusicArtist with the release of “Real One” featuring Baby Bash and M-Status, and I’ve continued building from there.
What genre would you consider your music to be?
Hip-hop and R&B are probably the foundation of my music, with a strong West Coast influence, but I don’t like putting myself into one box. I’ve experimented with Latin-inspired music, melodic records, international sounds, and different styles of hip-hop. I want MangoThaMusicArtist to be an artist where you don’t automatically know what the next record is going to sound like. If I connect with the music and it feels authentic, I’m willing to explore it.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Music has always been an escape for me. I started writing creatively when I was young, from fiction to poetry, and eventually that creativity found its way into songwriting and recording. Music has been there through some of the happiest and darkest periods of my life. After more than two decades of military service, a deployment to Iraq, relationships, fatherhood, travel, entrepreneurship, and everything else I’ve experienced, I have a lot of stories to tell. At this stage of my life, pursuing music isn’t about trying to fit someone else’s definition of what an artist should be. It’s about creating something meaningful, enjoying the process, connecting with people, and leaving behind a body of work that represents who I was.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Growing up in California, West Coast hip-hop had a major influence on me. Tupac is one of the artists I really respect because he wasn’t afraid to show different sides of himself through his music. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony also had a big impact on me. “E. 1999 Eternal” was actually the first album I ever bought, and their ability to combine rapid flows, harmonies, melody, and hip-hop showed me how creative you could be within the genre. As I’ve gotten older, my influences have expanded beyond individual artists. Traveling, experiencing different cultures, and collaborating with musicians around the world have all influenced the way I approach music today.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
I’m an independent artist, and I’m proud of that. Being independent means wearing a lot of hats, but it also gives me creative freedom. I’m involved in songwriting, music production, video concepts, directing, videography, graphics, marketing, and the overall direction of MangoThaMusicArtist. I enjoy having the freedom to make a personal record like “Toxic Love Affair” and then turn around and make something completely different like “Pretty A$$ Girl$.” I don’t have to stay inside one particular lane.
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
My biggest challenge has always been balancing music with real life. I’ve served in the U.S. military for more than 20 years, including a deployment to Iraq, while also balancing family, business, travel, and other responsibilities. There have been times when music simply couldn’t be the first priority. Being independent is another challenge because you’re responsible for so much more than recording songs. You’re essentially running a small business while trying to remain creative. I’ve learned to overcome those challenges through resilience and adaptability. My military experience taught me that conditions are rarely going to be perfect. Sometimes you have to use what you have, adjust the plan, and keep moving forward.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
To date, I’ve released more than 25 songs across singles and EP projects as MangoThaMusicArtist. My catalog has continued growing since I returned to releasing music consistently in 2021, and it includes hip-hop, R&B, Latin-influenced records, melodic music, and collaborations with artists and producers from different parts of the world. For me, the catalog is really a reflection of my evolution and my willingness to keep experimenting.
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
My latest release is “Toxic Love Affair,” and it shows a more vulnerable side of MangoThaMusicArtist. The song explores what it’s like to know a relationship is toxic while still feeling emotionally connected to that person. It’s about the conflict between your heart and your mind—the attraction, loneliness, heartbreak, memories, and the difficulty of finally walking away. One of the ideas at the center of the record is, “You were the poison and I was the cure.” It represents constantly trying to save or repair something while slowly realizing the relationship itself is hurting you. I wanted the song to be relatable because a lot of people have experienced that type of relationship. Men experience heartbreak, attachment, loneliness, and vulnerability too, and I’m not afraid to put those emotions into my music.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
Absolutely. There’s always something being created. I’m continuing to work on new music, visuals, and international collaborations while experimenting with different genres and sounds. One of my goals is to keep expanding MangoThaMusicArtist globally by collaborating with artists and producers from different countries and cultures. I’m also putting more energy into filmmaking and the visual side of my music. Having my “Been Thru It All” music video receive a Chinook Award at the 2024 American Advertising Awards motivated me to push that part of my creativity even further. The next chapter is really about evolution. I don’t want people to know exactly what they’re going to get from the next MangoThaMusicArtist release. I want to keep surprising listeners, taking creative risks, and building a catalog that represents all the different chapters of my life.
FOLLOW ON: INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
The post Interview with mangothamusicartist first appeared on Indie Music Spot.
