Ty Nic isn't your typical college student.

Currently studying business at the College of DuPage, Nic plans on earning a certificate in audio engineering after graduation. But his aspirations aren't what make Nic atypical; he is a 20-year-old transgender singer who just released his first single "Who I Am" off his freshman studio album, My Journey.

Since his junior year of high school, Nic's friends have referred to the singer with male pronouns. Nic's father, Tim Burton, still has trouble calling his biological daughter "she" instead of "he," but Nic insisted that Burton has come a long way. His father said, "I don't know anything about transgender people. But even if she is an alien living on Pluto, I still love her."

Nic struggled to find his true identity for many years, and still struggles with dysphoria, which is psychological turmoil due to feeling trapped in the wrong body. Right now, the primary negative of Nic's transition is her job. "My boss is kind of prejudiced," Nic said. "He doesn't know I am transgender and uses 'he' pronouns, but I know he wouldn't be happy if he knew I was a born a girl."

When asked about the positives of his transition, Nic said, "I honestly have the most loving family that supports me. I have the most amazing girlfriend and for the first time ever, she does not see me as a female. She doesn't see my chest or anything else. She pictures me as a male, which is who I am." And although Nic's mother forced him to wear female clothes and makeup for his high school yearbook pictures, Nic said she is starting to come around as well and simply wants her child to be happy.

Considering Nic's life experiences—including his parents' divorce at age 2 and reconnecting with his father during his teenage years after a decade of not speaking—it is no wonder the singer wants to inspire other LGBT individuals to fully accept and love their identity. "The main theme is to not be afraid of who you are just because someone says differently," Nic said. "Basically, just be you. If you don't like who I am, I'm sorry: I can't help but be me."

My Journey is Nic's roar to the world; he said it's to let young people know who they are and that all youth must be respected and encouraged to follow their true selves. He sings, "You won't listen, but you wanna give your advice / You say you love me, but you don't know what I'm feeling." Nic tells his family, friends and cynics in the chorus, "Let me paint a better picture for you."

Nic's family is quite musical; his father sings and owns a recording studio and record label in Appleton, Wisconsin. About a year ago, Nic travelled north to visit his father and they decided to jam in the studio while catching up on each other's lives. Burton came up with a beat Nic liked and the young singer paired the melody with lyrics about his transition and struggle to overcome detractors. Organically, "Who I Am" came into fruition. His father said, "Let's tell your story. Get out what you feel."

Nic has never taken a singing lesson, but his Justin Bieber-esque vocals possess more depth and drama then the fading teen sensation. Nic wants My Journey to highlight his voyage from childhood as a young girl to being bi-curious, bisexual, lesbian and then transgender. Nic wants to incorporate several genres of music into his freshman album, including acoustic and house tracks.

Burton has a message for parents with transgender offspring: Support your child. "Forget about what society says, what your church says and what other people say," said Burton. "Your child is your most important commodity and you must support him or her no matter what." Burton recently founded his record label and he believes fate brought his child back into his life at this opportune moment. He said, "Ty is a talented singer and this is something I have done my entire life. I really believe this is God's plan and I am just enjoying the ride."

Nic turns 21 on July 25, and he is excited to go out in Boystown for the first time, among other things. He has no plans to stop recording music after My Journey debuts on ITunes either. According to Nic, "I love the studio setting. I am a performer. It's in my blood and I love it."

Check out Ty Nic's single "Who I Am" on YouTube and My Journey on iTunes later this year.