RKY
Barefoot Soul-Pop | Duluth, MN
RKY (pronounced "Ricky") is a barefoot soul-pop artist creating intimate, expansive music rooted in healing, joy, and emotional honesty. Raised on stages and first performing under the name Ruthe Kay, she brings years of experience and vulnerability to her work.
After stepping away from the spotlight to focus on growth and personal healing, RKY returned with renewed clarity and intention. She recently reintroduced her debut album, Fever Pitch (Roots Edition), as part of her evolving catalog. Her music explores gratitude, relationships, queer identity, and self-acceptance, offering listeners a space to feel deeply and freely.
Known for her warm presence and immersive live performances, RKY is building a community centered on connection, softness, and resilience. Her forthcoming album marks a new chapter in her evolving artistic journey.
Selected
Performances
- House of Blues Chicago
- Buddy Guy's Legends
- Taste of Minnesota
- Snocross National
- Reggie's Music Joint
- Duluth Homegrown
- Duluth Street Dance
- Duluth Tribute Fest
- Rock the Garden (Duluth Grandma's)
- Battle of the Bands (DECC)
Collaborations &
Mentorship
- Live Performance
- Lamont Cranston
- Ipso Facto
- Collaborations
- Dylan Salfer
- Bailey Stender
- The Shackletons
- Mentorship
- Big Walter Smith
- JD Steele
- Jimi Primetime Smith
Production
EP, Fever Pitch (Roots Edition)
RKY - Co-Writer, Singer
JD Steele - Producer, Co-Writer, Background Vocals
Cory Wong - Guitar
Yohannes Tona - Bass
Billy Steele - Keyboards
Kenyari Steele-Jackson - Drums
Media
- KLDJ KOOL 101.7
- KFAI Minneapolis 90.3 FM / St. Paul 106.7 FM
- KBEM Jazz 88.5 - Bobby Vandell Bridge to Blues
- Duluth News Tribune
- Duluth Reader
Praise & Recognition
“It is so refreshing to see a beautiful, talented young woman pursuing music- go girl! Looking forward to seeing and hearing all the wonderful things you will accomplish!”
-Sena Ehrhardt
"Havin' thoroughly enjoyed listening a few times to 'Miss Her Young Man', I can only say 'YOU ROCK!' Very cool song, it shows her range and phrasing. We will be hearing much more from this talented young lady!"
-John 'Blueshammer' Hammer
"A genuine and passionate addition to the blues movement whose talent far outweighs ego. It's been a pleasure watching her grow. She is the real deal... Look out."
-Brian Naughton
"She's a hard worker, gifted musician, and an exceptionally kind person. She's worth investing in."
-Tim Cheesebrow
"She has one of the most soulfully distinctive voices I have ever worked with. She is passionate in her delivery and connects her soul to her music."
-J.D. Steele
“I’ve watched her develop into quite a star. She has amazed me with her talents and ethics. I can say I truly watched her develop into a wonderful vocalist. I am so proud of her.”
-Jimi “Prime Time” Smith
“Has a beautiful, expressive voice; she does a great job interpreting the emotion of the lyric. She’s a special talent with a great future ahead of her!”
-Jimmi Langemo
“She's been working on music for a long time. I just think that this is somewhere that she needs to go, and I think she has the talent to do it too.”
-Tom O'Hara