LA-based Actor/Rapper J. Nicholas Jones AKA Ricky Kent is ready to make his mark, with a TV show, songs in feature films, and a debut album hitting the industry. The rapper, who is heavily influenced by artists such as NaS , Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Big L, Childish Gambino, Tupac, Outkast, Lupe, and Fiasco uncovers a shift in his music as he reveals a fresh voice as he comes into his own a solo artist.

Originally from Florida, Ricky Kent started acting as a child, learning as much as he could from his father, an entertainer himself, and participating in local theater groups' local outreach programs. There, he acted in plays and performed all around the Florida panhandle. Kent says, “My dad also taught me how to dance and how to appreciate film and television. He sat down and watched a lot of movies with me from all genres. I learned how to really listen to music from him." His life took a turn after moving to a Military base in DC, where he spent most of his time in the less than friendly surrounding neighborhoods with friends. Gangs, drugs, and violence exposed him to a darkness that you can hear in his lyrics. To escape, Kent was always writing poems until one day his brother suggested he try making them into rap verses.

In 2015, Kent was signed to the independent label, Realize Records as part of the rap/hip hop duo Kicks & Kent. After one recording the duo disbanded pushing Kent in a new direction that landed him as a featured artist on Will Pharoah’s single “Meditation”, Kiah’s “Trippin” and others while simultaneously writing and recording his first solo album “Up Past 1 am”, in Los Angeles.

His acting debut in the TV series “Radio Gods” received critical acclaim at the prestigious New York Comedy festival in 2019. He also released his first single “Bare” a haunting track about suicide that revealed Kents own struggle with depression. His new single Kill Switch is featured in the upcoming psychological thriller film "Dark State". When asked how he feels about music, Kent says, “If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Also, remember to have fun doing it.” "Up Past 1 AM" which features 13 tracks is scheduled for release in late 2020.