RESPECT THE PROCESS TOO : Ricky Bats

INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTOGRAPH

Bronx, New York’s own Ricky Bats has been steadily carving his path in hip-hop, blending authentic street energy with a commitment to community and mentorship. From sharing the stage with legends like Onyx to dropping his latest LP Respect The Process 2, Ricky has built a reputation for delivering dope music, infectious beats, and unmatched vibes. Beyond the music, he’s expanding his influence through initiatives like Gotham City Kids, an after-school program that empowers young people to explore hip-hop, social justice, and creativity, proving that his vision reaches far beyond the studio.

In this conversation with Validated, Ricky reflects on his journey—from seeing his tracks featured on global platforms like Fortnite, to developing documentaries that tell stories of resilience, to producing and acting in projects like The Tunnel Series and the upcoming film Rico’s Law. With a focus on giving back, supporting emerging artists, and growing Gotham City Music Group, Ricky Bats shares the inspiration, grind, and heart behind his multifaceted career, giving fans and peers an inside look at the drive that fuels his creative empire.

VALIDATED: Earlier this month, you shared the stage with Onyx and others cheering you on—does it still feel surreal, or has it started to sink in?

RICKY BATS: It never gets old! Every time, there’s a new experience with the big bros. What’s dope is that they’re both my hype men when they bring me on stage. Lol

VALIDATED: You recently dropped the LP Respect The Process 2 — how has the response been so far, and has any feedback from fans or peers stood out to you?

RICKY BATS: Not really… it’s just a universal reaction of people saying it’s dope music, dope beats, and great vibes.

VALIDATED: How long did it take to bring your 9-song LP from initial concept to finished project, and what was the creative process like along the way?

RICKY BATS: The creative process was simple… it was just an overflow of the first project, Respect the Process. I just didn’t want to release too many records on one project, so I separated it. Again, Pauly Cicero sends the beats down the pipeline, and I bring it home.

VALIDATED: My personal favorites off the LP are “Cold Streets” and “I Remember,” but which records have really emerged as fan favorites — and does that line up with the songs you expected listeners to gravitate toward?

RICKY BATS: Right now, “New York Bounce” is my number one record. That’s followed by “Heal Me,” and I just filmed the “I Remember” video—it’s dropping soon. It was directed by myself and the film company 10 FENN FILMS in collaboration with Mark Garcia (Pointblank BX).

VALIDATED: This time around, the EP has no featured artists — was that a deliberate choice, or did it just happen naturally?

RICKY BATS: The only artists I have on it are Gotham City Music Group artists—Pop Burna, Drew Wolf, and Smiley The Ghetto Child. I went that route because I wanted to keep it in-house.

VALIDATED: Congratulations on the Roc Nation distribution deal — how did this partnership come about, and what impact do you see it having on the growth and vision of Gotham City Music Group?

RICKY BATS: They just opened the floodgates for distribution, and I gave it a try.

VALIDATED: Recently, your record “Urgency” was selected for the groundbreaking video game Fortnite — how did that opportunity come about, and what does having your music featured on such a global platform mean for you and your brand?

RICKY BATS: My record being on a platform like that is such an accomplishment. It shows the hard work that I’ve been putting in throughout the years.

I recently went to Hot 97 FM with the Hip Hop Gamer to discuss music, video games, movies, acting, school, and food giveaways.

VALIDATED: The Gotham City Kids’ after-school program continues to provide young people with a platform to express themselves through hip-hop. Which schools have you partnered with, and what impact have you seen the program have on the kids involved?

RICKY BATS: Yes, I created an after-school program for kids in the New York City Department of Education (D.O.E.), where we teach everything about hip-hop—how to write bars, make beats, draw graffiti, and understand the meaning of social justice in music.

VALIDATED: In 2025, when Gotham City Kids had their first record, “Soccer,” played on 97.1, what did that milestone mean for you and the team, and what were the kids’ initial reactions to hearing their music on the radio for the very first time?

RICKY BATS: That was an amazing day. To see the work the kids put in and hear their voices on a major platform like that was freaking dope! The main artist had braids in her hair before she heard the song on Hot 97 FM. That was on a Saturday, and by Monday, she went to school with a bald head! When asked, “How come you cut your hair? It was beautiful,” she replied, “I got my confidence back!!” That was so dope!! Shout out to May May and Marcella… #GothamCityKids

VALIDATED: You recently brought Fredo Starr to speak with the kids — what was that experience like, and what key message or advice did he share with them?

RICKY BATS: Big shout out to my big bro Fredro! He shared The Spirit of Hip Hop. He is a living testament that it can happen. I think all the teachers were more excited to see him than the kids—lol, “Ohhhh, that’s Q from Moesha!”

VALIDATED: What can you share with us about the documentary currently in the works — what inspired it, what story are you aiming to tell, and what can audiences expect to take away from it?

RICKY BATS: The documentary is still underway. My life inspired it, and I’m aiming to tell the story of an underdog with resilience.

VALIDATED: What responsibility do you feel you carry toward your community, how important is giving back to you personally, and what role does Gotham City Goods play in supporting and uplifting that mission?

RICKY BATS: It feels good to give back to people in need. I know God’s got me, and I’m just paying it forward. Shout out to the Food Stream Network and Sharing Excess, two of my collaborators who made this possible, and my partner Frankie Mena.

VALIDATED: With everything you’re involved in, it’s easy to miss something—before we wrap up, is there anything we haven’t discussed that you’d like people to know?

RICKY BATS: Yeah, we just wrapped up The Tunnel Series, directed by Fredro Starr. I’m one of the producers, and I also play an officer in the series—lol. I’m also the lead in a new movie we’re filming now called Rico’s Law, written and directed by Natalie Polanco and Kareem Gladden.

VALIDATED: For those inspired by what you’re building, where can they support Ricky Bats and tap into Gotham City Music Group, Gotham City Kids, and Gotham City Goods?

RICKY BATS: A big support in my music—follow all of those social media pages! I’ve got some new merch dropping soon and a new clothing line. Shout out to my barber, Mr. Razor Sharp, for the fresh haircut getting me ready for the movie set tomorrow.

Thank you, bro, I appreciate you. Go download that new album, Respect The Process 1 and 2!