Ric Wilson Marches to His Own Beat in UGG
Ric Wilson keeps a busy schedule between rapping, live performances and giving back through activism. The multifaceted musician keeps audiences on their toes — as such, it’s only fitting that he keeps only the best on foot. The artist teamed up with UGG to showcase the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2025 range through his own authentic lens, putting his spin on the contemporary styles in the same way he infuses his music with a vivacious sense of personality.The musician grew up in Chicago, a melting pot of perspectives that he funnels into his high-energy sound. He began rapping after a chance encounter changed his path. “I was a part of this program called the Chicago Freedom School when I was in high school. It's essentially this nonprofit organization that brings kids from around the area of Chicago to this space downtown, where they would teach us about past social movements, how to become an organizing activist and identity workshops,” Wilson explained. “Every day when I went, I walked past an open mic workshop. I started going, and I would read my poetry. Then I started turning my poems into raps. It was the same open mic spot where Chance [the Rapper] would go, and Saba and lots of other up-and-coming Chicago artists.”Wilson blends funk, disco-rap and soul across his discography, and he often holds live performances at The Metro and other local live music hotspots. “The Metro is a really dope spot,” the performer says, “I also like Lincoln Hall. It's also an independently owned venue. Right now, everyone's into Salt Shed. It's our big venue.” On this particular day, Wilson decided to pop into The Empty Bottle, a venue that sticks out from the rest.“The Empty Bottle is a legendary venue,” he shared, “It’s a cool venue because it's a dive bar, but it's also a venue with a stage, and it can hold up to almost 400 people. There’s a whole room where they’ve got pool tables and arcade games. And it’s connected to a pizza spot, which is a double-wammy. What could you need for a better night?”In between performances, you can usually find the creative at open mics, in Wicker Park or bowling — an activity he grew up doing with his friends. Bringing UGG along for the ride, Wilson stopped into these spots while sporting some Fall and Winter staples, showing how he puts his own Chicago spin on the offerings.After leaving one of his favorite venues, Wilson stopped into Wicker Park and Avondale Bowl. He dove into what these spots mean to him: “I’ve attended a lot of open mic slam poetry competitions, and some I’ve attended were in Wicker Park. So that's where there can be a lot of pop-up shows, and it’s a really cool neighborhood. I also love bowling, and I grew up going to Avondale Bowl. I like an old, vintage bowling alley, and I think it’s been there since about the ‘40s.”On this Chicago tour, the artist’s UGG styles supported him all along the way. His personal favorite pair was the Men’s Classic Ultra Mini Hybrids, which he wore styled with a UGG Puffer Jacket made to face Chicago winters. He also tried out the Classic Mini GTX, Classic Ultra Mini, and Classic Ultra Mini Wrap Tech — he then expanded on his favorite features of the offerings.“Vibram has been doing some really cool stuff. I really like the yellow bottoms on the Classic Ultra Mini Hybrid boots. I think it takes a unique individual to figure out how to rock those the right way. I like that they force you to dig a little bit deeper into your fashion knowledge when you wear these. It’s a challenge.” Alongside the all-weather footwear, Wilson sported comfortable layered looks elevated by vibrant hues. He describes his personal style as a mix of two different sensibilities — both his more timid and bold sides. This is also reflective of Chicago’s dynamic nature. “When it comes to New York and California, California is not so serious. And then New York is super serious. So, I think Chicago's kind of like that middle ground of both,” he shares, “My personal style used to be really colorful and then I got into more neutrals, so I've been kind of tapping into my colorful side a bit more again.”Though his off-duty style may vary, his stage persona commands attention — much like some of the UGG AW25 offerings he wore around downtown Chicago. Wilson mentioned that when performing, he leans towards maximalist ‘70s vibes. “Sometimes when I’m recording in the house, I may wear a suit jacket. My partner used to ask me why — because I can’t make real groovy, high-fashion funk tunes in some sweatpants. I need to dress the part!”You can check out the pieces from Ric’s looks at ugg.com.Read more at Hypebeast
Ric Wilson keeps a busy schedule between rapping, live performances and giving back through activism. The multifaceted musician keeps audiences on their toes — as such, it’s only fitting that he keeps only the best on foot. The artist teamed up with UGG to showcase the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2025 range through his own authentic lens, putting his spin on the contemporary styles in the same way he infuses his music with a vivacious sense of personality.
The musician grew up in Chicago, a melting pot of perspectives that he funnels into his high-energy sound. He began rapping after a chance encounter changed his path. “I was a part of this program called the Chicago Freedom School when I was in high school. It's essentially this nonprofit organization that brings kids from around the area of Chicago to this space downtown, where they would teach us about past social movements, how to become an organizing activist and identity workshops,” Wilson explained. “Every day when I went, I walked past an open mic workshop. I started going, and I would read my poetry. Then I started turning my poems into raps. It was the same open mic spot where Chance [the Rapper] would go, and Saba and lots of other up-and-coming Chicago artists.”
Wilson blends funk, disco-rap and soul across his discography, and he often holds live performances at The Metro and other local live music hotspots. “The Metro is a really dope spot,” the performer says, “I also like Lincoln Hall. It's also an independently owned venue. Right now, everyone's into Salt Shed. It's our big venue.” On this particular day, Wilson decided to pop into The Empty Bottle, a venue that sticks out from the rest.
“The Empty Bottle is a legendary venue,” he shared, “It’s a cool venue because it's a dive bar, but it's also a venue with a stage, and it can hold up to almost 400 people. There’s a whole room where they’ve got pool tables and arcade games. And it’s connected to a pizza spot, which is a double-wammy. What could you need for a better night?”
In between performances, you can usually find the creative at open mics, in Wicker Park or bowling — an activity he grew up doing with his friends. Bringing UGG along for the ride, Wilson stopped into these spots while sporting some Fall and Winter staples, showing how he puts his own Chicago spin on the offerings.
After leaving one of his favorite venues, Wilson stopped into Wicker Park and Avondale Bowl. He dove into what these spots mean to him: “I’ve attended a lot of open mic slam poetry competitions, and some I’ve attended were in Wicker Park. So that's where there can be a lot of pop-up shows, and it’s a really cool neighborhood. I also love bowling, and I grew up going to Avondale Bowl. I like an old, vintage bowling alley, and I think it’s been there since about the ‘40s.”
On this Chicago tour, the artist’s UGG styles supported him all along the way. His personal favorite pair was the Men’s Classic Ultra Mini Hybrids, which he wore styled with a UGG Puffer Jacket made to face Chicago winters. He also tried out the Classic Mini GTX, Classic Ultra Mini, and Classic Ultra Mini Wrap Tech — he then expanded on his favorite features of the offerings.
“Vibram has been doing some really cool stuff. I really like the yellow bottoms on the Classic Ultra Mini Hybrid boots. I think it takes a unique individual to figure out how to rock those the right way. I like that they force you to dig a little bit deeper into your fashion knowledge when you wear these. It’s a challenge.”
Alongside the all-weather footwear, Wilson sported comfortable layered looks elevated by vibrant hues. He describes his personal style as a mix of two different sensibilities — both his more timid and bold sides. This is also reflective of Chicago’s dynamic nature. “When it comes to New York and California, California is not so serious. And then New York is super serious. So, I think Chicago's kind of like that middle ground of both,” he shares, “My personal style used to be really colorful and then I got into more neutrals, so I've been kind of tapping into my colorful side a bit more again.”
Though his off-duty style may vary, his stage persona commands attention — much like some of the UGG AW25 offerings he wore around downtown Chicago. Wilson mentioned that when performing, he leans towards maximalist ‘70s vibes. “Sometimes when I’m recording in the house, I may wear a suit jacket. My partner used to ask me why — because I can’t make real groovy, high-fashion funk tunes in some sweatpants. I need to dress the part!”
You can check out the pieces from Ric’s looks at ugg.com.
