Rashid Amin Abdallah aka Rico Single was born in Kikuu village, on Pemba island. He started music at primary school, as part of the school’s traditional dance group.

In 2001 together with friends, Rico Single created Swahili Arts Group which had more than 40 young members, performing traditional dances, acrobatics and zenji flava music.

In 2004 they had the opportunity to participate at the Bagamoyo Arts Festival, where they also attended workshops. In 2005 they released their first tracks “Fadhila za Punda” and “Hii Sanaa”, which were recorded at Baucha Records. Around the time of the general election during the same year, many of the group members diverted to other activities and Swahili Arts collapsed.

After the demise of Swahili Arts Group, Rico Single decided to go it alone as a solo artist and focus primarily on zenji flava music.

Rico Single’s rise to local fame began in 2006, when he released his first song entitled “Hili Game”, recorded at Heart Beat Records. The track generated significant airplay on Zanzibar radio and was well received. His follow up “Kasimama Peke Yake” (He Stands Alone) quickly confirmed Rico Single as a force to be reckoned with in the local music scene.

At the first Zanzibar Music Awards in 2006, Swahili Arts Group’s single “Fadhila za Punda” won a prize.

Rico Single became better known after collaborating with other local artists including Berry Black, Shirko and Small x, with whom he released “Yaache Mambo ya Club” in 2007. More successful collaborations soon followed, featuring Kasim Mganga in “Nitampataje” (2008), Sultan King in “Tuongee Kidogo” (2009), Baby J in “Wacha Waongee” and AY in Champagne (2010).

At Sauti za Busara 2015 festival in the Songs for Peace competition, Rico Single won the Bronze Award with his track ‘Amani ndio Furaha Yetu’ .