2AM Ricky: Breaking Barriers and Making GRAMMY® History as “A Voice for the Voiceless”
For 2AM Ricky, music is not just about the beat or the bars. It’s about survival. It’s about telling his story in a world that often refuses to listen. Now, with his single “Move” up for GRAMMY® consideration in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category, Ricky stands on the brink of making history. If nominated, he will be the first Black trans man to ever receive such an honor—a moment that marks not just a personal victory, but a seismic shift for marginalized communities in the music industry.
Ricky’s journey began far from the bright lights of fame. Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the son of a single mother raising three kids, Ricky learned early on how to hustle. He sold lyrics to aspiring rappers in the neighborhood before he was even in high school, building a name for himself, not just as a writer, but as a force. His alias, “Ricky,” became more than just a name—it was his shield, a way to navigate a world that constantly tried to label him, to fit him into boxes he didn’t belong in.
“I needed a name that could exist beyond labels,” Ricky recalls. “When I found music, I found my voice. It became a space where I could be free, where I could tell my truth.”
That truth became even clearer—and heavier—when tragedy struck. The murder of his best friend, Hesakahi McCoy, on the campus of North Carolina Central University was a devastating blow that shook Ricky to his core. Hesakahi had been more than a friend; he was Ricky’s guiding light, the one who encouraged him to embrace his identity as a trans man. After Hesakahi’s death, Ricky turned to what he knew best—music. His grief flowed into his art, and the result was Hiatus, a raw, emotional mixtape that became his way of coping, of healing, and of honoring his friend’s memory.
But Ricky didn’t stop there. Hesakahi’s death ignited a fire in him—a commitment to use his platform not just to express himself, but to fight for justice.
“I realized that music could do more than just make you feel—it could make you see,” Ricky says.
Since then, Ricky has become a trailblazer, both in the studio and beyond. In 2021, he shattered ceilings by becoming the first Black trans man to land a #1 on any music chart with his single “Whatchu On (ft. CeCe Peniston).” It was a momentous achievement, but for Ricky, it was just the beginning. He wasn’t satisfied with just topping charts. He wanted to create real, lasting change. That’s why, behind the scenes, Ricky works with organizations like GLAAD, Lambda Legal, and the Fund for Trans Generations, using his platform to raise awareness and support for the Black trans community.
Through his MOVE Initiative, Ricky is empowering BIPOC trans and queer artists, providing them with the resources and opportunities that were often denied to him. “I don’t want future generations to face the same barriers I did,” he says.
Now, with “Move” up for GRAMMY® consideration, Ricky finds himself once again pushing boundaries. “This moment is bigger than just me,” Ricky says. “It’s about breaking down walls for artists like me, and ensuring our stories are heard.”
The GRAMMY® consideration of “Move” isn’t just a nod to Ricky’s musical talent—it’s a signal of change. It’s a moment that could inspire a new wave of artists who know, deep down, that their voices matter, no matter the obstacles.
Through his music, advocacy, and sheer determination, 2AM Ricky is doing more than making history—he’s rewriting it. And in doing so, he’s proving that the power of a voice can break any barrier, no matter how high or impenetrable it seems.
For more information about 2AM Ricky, his music, or his advocacy work, visit www.2amricky.com/movefyc.
What's Your Reaction?
