Rico the Zombie (aka Rick Genest), currently among the world’s most recognisable models, came from obscurity (as far as the fashion industry is concerned). Ever since Nicola Formichetti & Co. plucked him from Canada’s centre of the coolest underground culture of Montreal, the tattooed punk rock star has risen to grand heights that would have seemed unimaginable even in his wildest thoughts.

From shooting advertising industry award nominated ad campaigns for l’Oreal’s ‘Dermablend’ (www.gobeyondthecover.com – 15M views on YouTube) and headlining fashion shows in Paris, New York, Milan and Berlin during the day, to rocking out on underground DJ sets and circus ‘freak show’ acts at night, the Zombie Boy’s been living a pretty exciting afterlife. Throw in his work with Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way” as well as possible future collaborations with the world’s biggest global pop star in the pipeline and you can see why we’re so pleased to be able to announce Rico as our guest music editor for 2012.

But hey, Rico‘s not just about modelling and fashion – although he revealed to us in our exclusive interview (available on the FAULT Film page) that he makes his own clothes. In addition to a great musical taste and some tasty – if raw – Djing skills, his general savoir faire when it comes to popular culture, in terms of idiosyncratic style, good taste and an innate ability to entertain, is the embodiment of the FAULT philosophy.

Follow Rico‘s music blogs every fortnight right here on FAULT Online. More to come in the Underground Issue this Summer…and beyond…

“I’m totally psyched to work with FAULT as its guest Music Editor for Summer. Every two weeks, I’ll be sending some music I’ve been listening to your way. Later this month I’ll be DJ Hosting and hopefully improving on my new passion at the after party at Moscow’s International Tattoo Convention. Depends on the crowd but here’s hoping I can drop some Ill Bill…”