{"id":12555,"date":"2024-10-10T15:00:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T19:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/femimagazine.com\/?p=12555"},"modified":"2024-10-10T15:03:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T19:03:00","slug":"2am-ricky-is-breaking-barriers-and-making-grammy-history-as-a-voice-for-the-voiceless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/femimagazine.com\/?p=12555","title":{"rendered":"2AM Ricky is breaking barriers and making GRAMMY\u00ae History as “A Voice for the Voiceless”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
2AM Ricky is breaking barriers and making GRAMMY\u00ae History as “A Voice for the Voiceless”<\/strong>
First Black Trans Man Considered for GRAMMY\u00ae in Melodic Rap Reflects on Advocacy, Loss, and the Healing Power of Music<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
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For\u00a02AM\u00a0Ricky, music has never just been about rhythm and lyrics. It has been a lifeline. Today, he stands at the threshold of making history with his single \u201cMove,\u201d up for GRAMMY\u00ae consideration in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category. If nominated, Ricky will be the first Black trans man to receive this honor\u2014an accomplishment that reflects more than musical achievement; it embodies the resilience of marginalized communities. Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to a single mother of three, Ricky learned early on how to hustle, selling lyrics to aspiring rappers in the neighborhood before he was even in high school. His alias, “Ricky,” became a shield and a safe space\u2014allowing him to be seen for his talent, not his gender.

\u201cI needed a name that could exist beyond labels,\u201d Ricky says, reflecting on the beginnings of his career. \u201cWhen I found music, I found my voice. It became a space where I could be free, where I could tell my truth.\u201d
But it was the murder of his best friend, Hesakahi McCoy, on the campus of NCCU, that crystallized Ricky\u2019s purpose. Hesakahi, more than a friend, was his guiding force, encouraging Ricky\u2019s transition and giving him the strength to embrace his true identity as a trans man. Following the loss, Ricky poured his grief into his art, producing his mixtape Hiatus, which not only helped him cope but also shed light on the circumstances of Hesakahi\u2019s death.

“This moment is bigger than just me, it\u2019s about breaking down walls for artists like me and ensuring our stories are heard”<\/strong>\u00a0
-2AM\u00a0Ricky

\u201cI discovered that music wasn\u2019t just a tool for self-expression\u2014it could be used for justice,\u201d Ricky says. From that moment, Ricky committed himself to using his platform for social change. Since then, Ricky has made strides not only as an artist but as an advocate. In 2021, he became the first Black trans man to land a #1 on any music chart with his single \u201cWhatchu On (ft. CeCe Peniston)\u201d\u2014a momentous achievement. Still, for Ricky, his wins on stage are only part of his legacy. Behind the scenes, he works with organizations like GLAAD, Lambda Legal, and the Fund for Trans Generations to raise awareness on issues affecting the Black trans community. As the founder of the MOVE Initiative, Ricky mobilizes resources to empower BIPOC trans and queer artists, working to ensure that future generations won\u2019t have to face the same barriers. Now, with “Move” up for GRAMMY\u00ae consideration, Ricky is once again pushing boundaries. \u201cThis moment is bigger than just me,\u201d Ricky says. \u201cIt\u2019s about breaking down walls for artists like me and ensuring our stories are heard.\u201dThrough the potential nomination, Ricky hopes to inspire a new wave of artists and advocates who understand that no matter the obstacles, their voices matter. The GRAMMY\u00ae consideration of “Move” signals a cultural shift and serves as a rallying cry for visibility, change, and representation. For more information about\u00a02AM\u00a0Ricky, his music, or his advocacy work, visit\u00a0www.2amricky.com\/movefyc<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
ABOUT\u00a02AM\u00a0RICKY<\/strong>

A Winston-Salem, NC native, recording artist, songwriter and speaker,\u00a02AM\u00a0Ricky is breaking barriers and making strides in the industry. An advocate for the LGBTQ community, he is bridging the intersection of advocacy and entertainment, one song and conversation at a time. Known for utilizing his platform for the uplifting of marginally perceived communities and trans awareness, he collaborates on the brand strategy, creative direction and artist development of BIPOC women and queer creatives while providing inclusion and safety education to labels, non-profits, and corporations. In 2021, Ricky became the first black transgender male artist to land #1 on any music chart, with his single “Whatchu On (ft. CeCe Peniston)” peaking at #1 on the LGBT Urban Chart. He has several sync placements with credits including CeCe Peniston, Zeus Network, Tyler Perry Studios, Trevor Project’s national campaign, and more. A published model, he was seen in the 2021 Atlanta Polo Classic Fashion Week (Alani Taylor), Lindbergh’s 2018 Fall campaign, and was the first Trans Man to grace the cover of Obvious Magazine in the 2022 Fashion Edition. Behind the scenes, Ricky is a notable songwriter and keynote speaker with expertise in branding and diversity & inclusion. He has helped educators, industry professionals and community leaders nationwide to define language and best practices for transgender healthcare and education, intersectionality, inclusive strategies, wellness for trans men, harm reduction and mental health within the music industry. In 2023, he was awarded the Artist Impact Award for his ongoing community work and efforts towards a more inclusive music industry and culture.\u00a0

2AM\u00a0RICKY SOCIAL<\/strong>
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2AM Ricky is breaking barriers and making GRAMMY\u00ae History as “A Voice for the Voiceless”First Black Trans Man Considered for GRAMMY\u00ae in Melodic Rap Reflects…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"[]","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3431,51,18,3432,21],"class_list":["post-12555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-2am-ricky","tag-black-culture","tag-femi-magazine","tag-grammy-nomination","tag-music"],"aioseo_notices":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n2AM Ricky is breaking barriers and making GRAMMY\u00ae History as "A Voice for the Voiceless" - 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