Richard Preston Butler Jr. (born December 3, 1982) is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper better known by his stage name Rico Love. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but spent his boyhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Harlem district of New York City. He attended Florida A&M and earned his way into the music industry through ties with Usher, who would become one of Love’s regular collaborators, while visiting Atlanta, Georgia.
Love’s debut song in his career was “Throwback,” which appeared on Usher’s 2004 album Confessions. Love’s success continued with hit records such as Usher’s “There Goes My Baby” and “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” Nelly’s “Just a Dream” and “Gone,” and Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams,” as well as contributions to works that went on to win Grammys, such as Beyoncé’s 2009 Best Contemporary R&B album I Am… Sasha Fierce, Raymond v. Raymond, Usher’s 2010 Best Contemporary R&B Album, and “There Goes My Baby,” Usher’s 2010 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Love has also written and produced songs for Kelly Rowland, Diddy’s Dirty Money, Chris Brown, Alexandra Burke, Keri Hilson, Fergie, and Fantasia.
