The captivating electronic artist from Fort Worth, known as Squanto, Rickey Kinney, has gone missing in Los Angeles. Kinney, who made a name for himself in the late 2000s to late 2010s, was recognized for his innovative electronic music and for producing music videos for local bands such as Oil Boom and Son of Stan. After relocating to Los Angeles in 2019, he spent time with family in Oklahoma before returning to the West Coast on October 1, 2024. Recent updates indicate that his family last heard from him on July 24, 2025, after which he ceased all communication.
Upon seeing the missing person alert, a sense of dread washed over me. The last message I received from Rickey was on November 14, 2023, when he texted me at 1:58 AM, asking if he could stay on my floor. Regrettably, I saw the text hours later and did not respond. I was aware that he had been struggling, facing the harsh realities of life in Los Angeles, which had taken a toll on him. Despite these challenges, he always seemed to carry a weight that wasn’t tied to substance abuse but rather to the pressures of daily survival—bills, the relentless grind of modern life, and the confusion brought on by late-stage capitalism. His art grappled with these contradictions and absurdities, reflecting his unique perspective.
As Squanto, Rickey blended punk elements with an intricate mix of electronic beats and noise, creating a sound that retained a connection to pop music. His work incorporated trip-hop influences, transforming them into frenetic, anxious soundscapes. The music videos he produced felt like surreal late-night infomercials infused with psychedelic elements, perhaps a way to address the anxieties that come with contemporary existence. His art was a striking fusion of the bizarre and the beautiful, encapsulating both darkness and an underlying sense of hope.
In a 2015 interview with Fort Worth Weekly regarding his debut EP, clrtvdth (pronounced “color TV death”), Rickey expressed his frustration with societal distractions. He noted, “I’m driven by what everybody’s paying attention to, getting frustrated about. What is this bullshit we are paying attention to? I’m on the same boat… We’ve all been affected by it for a long time.” He admired musicians who combined humor with deep artistic expression, drawing inspiration from figures like Frank Zappa and Ornette Coleman, whose work pushed the boundaries of music.
A decade later, the situation has not improved, and the news of his disappearance only heightens my concerns. If anyone has information regarding Rickey Kinney’s whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 213-996-1800 or the Missing in America anonymous tip line at 844-MIA-LOST (844-642-5678).
