Today, alternative singer/songwriter Ricky Hil releases his latest single and music video “Tryin,” out now via 10K Projects. Following up the success of his November single “Break My Heart,” “Tryin” gives fans a glimpse into Ricky’s next full length project, SSDD, out soon. “I strive to bring the gritty truth of my generation into my music and lyrics,” he says. The music video for “Tryin,” directed by Aidan Cullen, captures that feeling visually, as Ricky walks through the dark-lit streets of LA, singing “life is unfair to you / life is unfair to me.”
Since his debut project The Lonely Limo—a fearlessly personal mixtape featuring guest spots from heavy-hitters like Lil Wayne—Ricky Hil has brought an unapologetic honesty to his music. Over the years, that approach has left a powerful impact on an entire wave of musicians in the underground scene, including a number of rappers/singers who’ve emerged as major cultural figures (Kid Cudi, XXXTentacion, The Weeknd, Juice WRLD, to name just a few). In his upcoming project SSDD, the consummate artist’s artist sheds even more light on his demons, and embraces a stronger sense of purpose than ever before.
“A lot of the time in my songs I’m saying shit I don’t really even want to say—but I do it anyway, because I know there are people out there that feel the same way I do,” says Ricky.
Born in Fairfield County, Connecticut but based in Los Angeles, Ricky first started experimenting with making music as a kid, armed with a turntable set-up and a stack of vinyl. “I fell in love with it, and I’d stay up all night every weekend—I didn’t care about anything else, I just wanted to create as much as possible.” Although South Philly rappers like Beanie Sigel influenced his early work, Ricky later discovered singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan and focused more heavily on sculpting potent melodies and sharpening his songcraft. Mostly raised on rock-and-roll, he later played in a punk band, infusing his songs with a kinetic energy that still permeates the music he makes today.
Ricky has recently refined his vision, and fully leaned into his love for darkly charged beats and slow yet dynamic tempos. “I went into all these new songs just wanting to be completely myself,” he says. As part of that creative revitalization—which includes recording up to five songs a night—he’s also begun drawing his own cover art, naming famed tattoo artists Jack Rudy and Mister Cartoon among the main inspirations on his artwork.
Make sure to follow Ricky Hil on Instagram, Soundcloud and Twitter.
