Earlier this year, indie rocker Ryan Cassata teamed up with alt-folk group Hello Noon to deliver an important message for young trans people: hold on, you belong.
In the final episode of TRANScendent Sounds — GRAMMY.com's three-part series celebrating trans artists while also putting a spotlight on the continuing social roadblocks faced by the trans community — watch an intimate rendition of their collaboration "Hold On, You Belong (People Like Us)," performed in front of a live audience.
The song's lyrics extend a hand to trans youth who are facing a lack of support from their loved ones, families or communities. Cassata brings his own journey to the forefront, as a message to those who may be earlier on in the process of coming out or transitioning.
"Hold on, hold on, you belong, you belong/ I once was scared like you," he sings, backed by soaring strings. "And I held on so tightly, I told them off politely/ And the going, it gets easier the longer you push through."
That message is front and center in this performance, which fits in to both Cassata and Hello Noon's artistic identities. In addition to his career as an artist, Cassata is an activist, filmmaker and public speaker, and he visits high schools and universities to discuss gender dysphoria, bullying and his own personal story.
Meanwhile, Hello Noon — whose Facebook bio explains their mission statement of combatting negativity and furthering social change — frequently works in the fields of mental health, sexual identity and more. They regularly volunteer at homeless shelters and perform at correctional facilities, and have worked with organizations like the SoCal Special Olympics, the Best Buddies Foundation and Mattel Children's Hospital.
Press play above to watch the full performance of "Hold On, You Belong (People Like Us)," and check out more TRANScendent Sounds performances — including 2022 performers Lucia Lucas and Mila Jam — on GRAMMY.com.
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