Genre-defying recording artist and cultural disruptor 2AM Ricky is back with a bold new single, ‘TDLR’—a high-octane, dance-fueled anthem that captures the spirit of a Southern summer cookout, Freaknik-era Atlanta, and the freedom of Black joy in motion. Following the success of his groundbreaking single ‘Move (feat. GODZENA)’, which debuted at #3 on the iTunes Electronic Chart, Ricky once again blurs genre lines with a sound that’s part bounce, part house, and all energy.
Produced by Mike Gamas, ‘TDLR’ arrives just in time to set the tone for summer. With deep 808s, nostalgic synth stabs, and infectious percussion, the track doesn’t just knock—it commands. Crafted to make bodies move, the hook itself gives the choreography: “Hands up, both knees, legs bent, slow sleep… left, right, put it in a lean.” It’s a song built for movement, memories, and block-party liberation.
“I wanted ‘TDLR’ to feel like a party I was never supposed to be at—but somehow found my way into,” says Ricky. “It’s a tribute to those overheard convos between my mom and her best friends, when they’d talk about Freaknik, the outfits, the music, the chaos, the joy. That energy lives in this song.”
Ricky’s lyrical approach on ‘TDLR’ is purposefully minimal and hypnotic—this isn’t about bars, it’s about bounce. And while it feels like a throwback, it’s also fresh, genre-blurring, and undeniably current. With no live instruments, the entirely electronic production is designed to hit hard on club speakers and street corners alike.
This release follows a remarkable year for Ricky, who made history as the first Black trans man to chart on iTunes, earned GRAMMY® consideration for Best Melodic Rap Performance, and garnered sync placements in projects like Tyler Perry’s Caught Up, Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest, and Zeus Network’s Baddies West. His critically acclaimed EP ‘Listen If You’re Lonely’ offered a vulnerable exploration of mental health, grief, and chosen family, cementing his place as both a cultural voice and a musical powerhouse.
On June 8, 2025, 2AM Ricky will bring his signature energy to the main stage at World Pride, joining a lineup that includes Khalid, Brooke Eden, and Doechii—a major milestone in a career built on breaking barriers and building community.
As founder of M.O.V.E., an initiative uplifting BIPOC trans and queer creatives, Ricky continues to champion visibility, wellness, and sustainability in the arts. He’s been honored as a Forbes BLK History Maker, named Pioneer of Culture at the Trans Life Awards, and received the Community Honors Award from Georgia State Representative Park Cannon.
With his debut album Don’t Forget to Call set to release in July 2025, and ‘TDLR’ already heating up playlists and dance floors, 2AM Ricky proves once again: he’s not just an artist—he’s a movement.
