When his young son pulls off a trick, the first person he searches for is his father. If he takes a tumble, he looks again. For rapper Priddy Ugly, those small moments matter more than any crowd reaction: they are reminders that being present for his children is irreplaceable.
Fatherhood reshapes his idea of success
His son is only one year old and is far too young to grasp the career connected to his dad’s name. Still, Priddy Ugly says the child simply enjoys having “his paps” nearby. That happiness has given the musician a more personal definition of accomplishment. Beyond being celebrated through music, he wants to remain the father his children can always turn to.
He has learned that children remember missed milestones more clearly than professional accolades. “My daughter doesn’t remember how many awards and prizes she’s won,” he says, “but she remembers every time I wasn’t at that practice or prize giving.”
For him, providing for a family is not only about financial support. It also means noticing what matters, setting aside time and understanding that a child may feel a parent’s absence more intensely than adults realise.
Becoming a father has also influenced the values he hopes to pass on. He wants his children to know that achievement has value, but that losing a football match should not spoil his daughter’s entire day.
- He hopes they grow up with love, respect and kindness.
- Gratitude is another lesson he wants them to carry.
- He also wants them to enjoy life without treating themselves too seriously.
Redefining strength, identity and partnership
In an industry where toughness can often be rewarded, Priddy Ugly believes masculinity should also make room for gentleness. He says men should be able to show vulnerability, acknowledge when they are broken and give themselves space to heal.
He also sees leaving a situation as potentially braver than choosing conflict, particularly when arriving home safely matters more than protecting one’s pride.
That mindset informs the divide he draws between his public persona and his private self. “Priddy Ugly is the narrator of Ricardo’s life,” he explains. The artist reflects his experiences, ideas and lessons, but does not represent every part of who he is. As he puts it, “Priddy Ugly is a personified journal of the man, but not the man himself.”
Understanding that boundary has made it easier for him to handle criticism. He no longer allows every negative opinion about his music to become a verdict on his personal value. Discipline and self-awareness help keep him aligned with his principles, although he openly acknowledges that he does not always get it right. His perspective leaves room for errors, growth and trying again the next day.
His relationship with Bontle has required the same ability to set ego aside. “We’ve learnt selflessness in its truest form,” he says. Both partners have made sacrifices to ensure the other has space to thrive, and he believes it is important to show up at the finish line regardless of whether the result is joyful or disappointing. Their support network has helped them maintain that commitment.
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Using music with greater responsibility
The responsibility he feels as a parent also reaches into the studio. “I wasn’t trying to be a role model when I started,” he admits.
As his profile grew, he became more aware of how carefully younger listeners follow his words and actions. He says he has removed profanity from his rap lyrics, pushing himself to communicate challenging subjects through different creative approaches.
He is especially mindful of the narrow gap between discussing personal pain and making harmful conduct appear desirable. “There’s a very thin line” between expressing trauma and glorifying it, he says. Choosing words that respect difficult lived experiences while considering how they may affect listeners has become central to both his artistry and his role as a father.
Home, happiness and the legacy he wants to leave
When asked what private success means to him, Priddy Ugly’s answer is rooted in his home life: “How happy my family is to see me when I get home.” His dog also forms part of that image of security and belonging.
For him, moving forward means making fewer of the same mistakes and becoming more consistent in creating the life he wants.
His vision of legacy goes beyond wealth, trophies or public recognition. He wants his children to receive a sense of purpose, ownership over their creativity and a moral compass that can guide them long after he is gone.
“Legacy is in what people feel and say about you once you leave the room.”
For Priddy Ugly, that legacy starts at home, through the simple act of continuing to show up.
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