Meet MangoThaMusicArtist, born Ricky “Mango” Manglona—an independent rapper, singer, songwriter, and visionary creative carving out a distinct lane in modern music. Rooted in California’s vibrant culture and currently making waves from his home base in Washington State, MangoThaMusicArtist crafts an authentic fusion of West Coast hip-hop, R&B, and global sounds. As a U.S. military veteran with more than two decades of dedicated service, his artistry is deeply shaped by international travel, cross-cultural storytelling, and a lifetime of world perspective.

With an impressive career that includes high-profile collaborations with West Coast legend Baby Bash, acclaimed producer M-Status, and a diverse lineup of international talent, MangoThaMusicArtist continues to break musical boundaries. Beyond his multi-genre discography, his award-winning visual projects demonstrate a rare commitment to cinematic narrative and creative direction. Whether blending soulful melodies, sharp rap flows, or worldwide rhythmic influences, Ricky “Mango” Manglona proves that independence in music knows no limits.

Dive into our exclusive interview below as MangoThaMusicArtist breaks down his artistic journey, the story behind his latest releases, his experiences working alongside industry heavyweights like Baby Bash, and how two decades of military service shaped his vision as an independent creator.

Where are you from?

I was born in Vallejo, California, and spent a lot of my younger years in Fresno before eventually moving to Washington State. California definitely shaped my love for West Coast music and culture, but the Pacific Northwest is where I’ve built much of my adult life and music career. I like to say I have California roots, PNW experience, and a global mindset when it comes to music.

How long have you been making music?

I started making and recording music around 2005, so I’ve been involved with music for more than 20 years. My journey hasn’t been a traditional one, though. Music has existed alongside my military career, family, entrepreneurship, travel, and everything else life has thrown at me. There were periods when I wasn’t releasing consistently, but I never stopped loving music. In 2021, I really started taking things seriously again as MangoThaMusicArtist when I reconnected with M-Status and released “Real One” featuring Baby Bash and M-Status.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

To date, I’ve released more than 25 songs across singles and EP projects, with music spanning Hip-Hop, R&B, Afro-Pop, Latin-influenced records, phonk, and international collaborations. My catalog has continued to grow since officially relaunching my career as MangoThaMusicArtist in 2021, with my latest release, ‘Toxic Love Affair,’ arriving in May 2026.

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?

My latest release is “Toxic Love Affair.” The record explores what happens when you know a relationship isn’t healthy, but the emotional and physical connection makes walking away much harder than it should be.

It’s about that battle between your heart and your mind. Your mind can see all the warning signs, but emotionally you’re still attached to the person, the memories, and what you thought the relationship could become.

One of the ideas behind the record is, “You were the poison and I was the cure.” That captures the feeling of constantly trying to save or repair a relationship while realizing that the relationship itself is slowly hurting you.

I wanted “Toxic Love Affair” to show vulnerability. Hip-hop doesn’t always have to be about being the toughest person in the room. Men experience heartbreak, loneliness, attachment, regret, and toxic relationships too. I wanted to make something for anyone who has ever known they needed to walk away from somebody but still found themselves looking back.

How did you first get into music, and what inspired you to pursue a career in it?

Music has always been an escape for me. Even as a kid, I was creative. I wrote fiction, poetry, and actually won a creative writing contest in elementary school. Eventually that creativity found its way into music.

I started recording around 2005 with my friend and producer M-Status. He produced some of my earliest songs, including “Get Erotic,” “Gimme Yo’ Love,” and “Let’s Go.”

Life eventually took us in different directions, but we reconnected years later. In 2021, I released “Real One” featuring Baby Bash and M-Status, and that really started the current chapter of MangoThaMusicArtist.

What keeps me pursuing music is simple: I genuinely love creating. Music has been there for some of the happiest moments of my life and some of the darkest. At this point, I’m not chasing someone else’s definition of success. I want to create music I’m proud of, work with talented people around the world, and leave behind a body of work that tells my story.

What do you think of the present music industry?

I think the music industry is simultaneously more accessible and more difficult than ever. Independent artists now have tools that previous generations could only dream about. You can record a song, distribute it globally, shoot your own video, build an audience on social media, and collaborate with someone on the other side of the world without having a major label behind you.

The downside is that there is an enormous amount of content competing for people’s attention. Sometimes artists feel like they have to become content creators first and musicians second.

I try to look at the positive side. Technology has allowed me to collaborate internationally and remain independent. The challenge is finding ways to cut through the noise without sacrificing who you are just to satisfy an algorithm.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your music?

Growing up in California, West Coast hip-hop naturally had a big influence on me, but I’ve never wanted to limit myself to one genre or sound. I love hip-hop and R&B, but I also pay attention to Latin music, international music, and whatever catches my ear.

At this stage of my career, I’m probably influenced just as much by life and different cultures as I am by individual artists. Traveling and working with musicians from different countries has changed the way I hear music. I want someone listening to MangoThaMusicArtist to never be completely sure what I’m going to do next.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a musician and how have you overcome them?

Time has probably been my biggest challenge. I’ve spent more than 20 years serving in the military while also balancing family, business, travel, and music. I even deployed to Iraq, so there have obviously been periods when pursuing music couldn’t be my first priority.

Another challenge is being an independent artist. You’re not just the artist. You’re marketing, networking, budgeting, creating content, planning videos, finding collaborators, and trying to understand the business side at the same time.

I’ve overcome those challenges through resilience and adaptability. The military taught me that plans change and circumstances aren’t always going to be perfect. Sometimes you have to accomplish the mission with what you have available. I’ve carried that mentality into music.

How has your music evolved over the course of your career, and where do you see it going in the future?

My music has become much more fearless. Earlier in my career, I think I was more concerned about what category I fit into. Now I care more about whether the song feels right.

I’ve become more comfortable singing, experimenting with R&B, incorporating international sounds, telling personal stories, and collaborating outside of traditional hip-hop.

Going forward, I want MangoThaMusicArtist to become increasingly global. I’ve already worked with people from several countries, and I want to continue creating records where cultures and genres collide in ways people aren’t expecting.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

I’ve been fortunate to work with artists and producers from all over the world. One of my biggest releases was “Real One” featuring Baby Bash and M-Status.

I’ve also collaborated with Stalon Griffey from Ghana on “Without You,” with the music video being filmed in both the United States and Ghana.

Beyond that, I’ve connected and created with artists and producers from places including Thailand, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Cuba, the Philippines, Ghana, and the United States. International collaboration has become one of my favorite parts of making music because it proves how universal music really is.

Can you describe your creative process and what goes into making a song or album?

There isn’t one formula. Sometimes I hear a beat and immediately know what I want to talk about. Other times I have a concept, title, melody, or emotion first and then build the record around it.

I’m very visual too. I don’t always hear just a song—I start imagining the music video, locations, colors, characters, and story.

That’s probably because I’m involved in more than performing. I write, produce, direct, shoot video, and work with graphics, so the music and visuals often develop together in my head. I like creating a complete world around a song rather than treating the audio and video as two completely separate things.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?

My dream collaboration, dead or alive, would be Tupac Shakur. Growing up in California, Tupac’s music had a major influence on how I viewed hip-hop. What I respected most about him was that he wasn’t afraid to show different sides of himself. He could make a record about struggle and social issues, then turn around and make something emotional, aggressive, reflective, or uplifting.

I relate to that because I don’t want MangoThaMusicArtist to be limited to one sound or one version of myself. I’ve experienced struggle, military service, relationships, fatherhood, success, failure, and different cultures around the world, and I want my music to reflect all of those experiences.

If I could have made a record with Tupac, I’d want it to be something meaningful—two different generations of California artists talking about struggle, survival, growth, and what it takes to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan.

What was the first album you bought?

The first album I ever bought was “E. 1999 Eternal” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. That album definitely left an impression on me. Bone had a sound that was completely their own—the harmonies, rapid-fire flows, melodies, storytelling, and the way they could blend rapping and singing together.

Looking back, I think that album helped shape my appreciation for artists who aren’t afraid to experiment with melody and step outside of what people traditionally expect hip-hop to sound like. That’s something I carry into my own music today. I don’t want MangoThaMusicArtist to be limited to just rapping or one particular style. I want the freedom to sing, rap, experiment with different genres, and create whatever feels right for the record.

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

One of my favorite sayings is, “Leave people and places better than you found them.” I’ve experienced enough in life to realize that success isn’t only about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s also about the impact you have on other people. Whether it’s through music, military service, business, volunteering, or simply helping somebody when you can, I want my presence to have a positive impact.

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

If I had to sell my entire music collection tomorrow and could only keep one album, I’d keep Tupac’s “All Eyez on Me.” That’s one of those albums I can go back to at different points in my life and hear something differently. Pac could give you aggression, pain, confidence, storytelling, vulnerability, and something to ride to all on the same project. That versatility is something I’ve always respected and something I try to bring into my own music.

What is your favourite saying?

One of my favorite sayings is, “Leave people and places better than you found them.” I’ve experienced enough in life to realize that success isn’t only about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s also about the impact you have on other people. Whether it’s through music, military service, business, volunteering, or simply helping somebody when you can, I want my presence to have a positive impact.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I have a lot of interests outside of recording music. I love traveling, experiencing different cultures, learning about history, and exploring ancient sites and ruins. I’m also into videography, directing, graphic design, photography, fitness, martial arts, and entrepreneurship.

Travel is probably one of my biggest passions because it changes your perspective. I’ve had opportunities to spend time in different countries and build genuine relationships with people from completely different backgrounds. Those experiences inevitably make their way into my creativity.

I also enjoy giving back and volunteering in my community. At the end of the day, music is a huge part of my life, but it’s not the only thing that defines me.

What do you want people to remember about MangoThaMusicArtist?

I want people to remember that I never allowed age, circumstances, or somebody else’s definition of success to determine what I could create.

My journey hasn’t been the traditional artist story. I’ve served in the U.S. military for more than 20 years, deployed to Iraq, built businesses, traveled the world, worked with people from different cultures, and pursued music through all of it.

I’ve learned that your journey doesn’t have to look like everybody else’s. You can reinvent yourself. You can learn something new. You can start again. You can pursue something you’re passionate about while still handling your responsibilities in life.

If someone discovers MangoThaMusicArtist and my story motivates them to finally pursue something they’ve been putting off, that’s bigger than another stream or view to me.

What’s one of your proudest accomplishments as an independent artist?

Having my music video “Been Thru It All” recognized with a Chinook Award in the Music Video category at the 2024 American Advertising Awards was a special moment. I’m passionate about the entire creative process—not only making the song, but creating the visual world around it.

I’m also extremely proud of how international this journey has become. I’ve been able to create and build relationships with artists and producers from different parts of the world. Music can connect people who may have completely different languages, cultures, and life experiences. That’s one of the things I love most about it.

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?

My newest release, “Toxic Love Affair,” represents a more vulnerable side of MangoThaMusicArtist. It’s about being caught in a relationship you know isn’t healthy but still feeling emotionally connected to that person.

The song deals with attraction, heartbreak, loneliness, regret, and that internal battle between knowing you should walk away and still wanting to hold on. The idea of “you were the poison and I was the cure” really summarizes that dynamic—constantly trying to save something that’s actually hurting you.

I’m at a point creatively where I don’t want to put boundaries around myself. I might make a hip-hop record, an R&B song, something Latin-influenced, or collaborate with an artist halfway around the world. “Toxic Love Affair” is another piece of that evolution. I want people to hear the person behind MangoThaMusicArtist, not just the rapper.

What’s in the pipeline after this project?

There’s definitely more music coming. One of my biggest goals moving forward is to continue expanding internationally and collaborating with artists and producers from different countries and cultures.

I’m also putting a lot of energy into the visual side of MangoThaMusicArtist. I love filmmaking and directing, and having “Been Thru It All” receive a Chinook Award in the Music Video category at the 2024 American Advertising Awards motivated me to take that side of my creativity even further.

I’m not chasing one particular genre or trying to recreate the same record over and over. I want the next song to surprise people. Whether that’s hip-hop, R&B, Latin music, an international collaboration, or something completely different, I’m going to keep experimenting.

Ultimately, I’m building a body of work that represents all the different chapters of my life.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music. 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and music with ArtistRack and everyone reading this interview. I never take it for granted when somebody takes the time to listen to my music or learn more about the person behind it.

To everyone who has streamed a song, watched a video, shared my music, collaborated with me, or supported MangoThaMusicArtist in any way—thank you. We’re just getting started.

Much love,

MangoThaMusicArtist

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