Depression is real people. Let’s start with that, because in hip-hop and many other forms of life the condition of depression is an issue that is dismissed without proper attention far too often. To the reported 9% of the American population dealing with depression and its adverse affects that is unfair. It’s important for people to pay attention to the signs and find ways to push through certain feelings. For Jackson Mississippi’s Ray Kincaid, he finds a sense of solace in the midst of madness by creating music.
With the release of his latest EP “Artistic Depression”, Kincaid fuses a title from two words that evoke very different thoughts. As mentioned before, Depression comes with an aura that isn’t the most positive, artistic ability on the other hand can win you universal acclaim. The mixture of two concepts on opposite ends of the spectrum fits well into the whole package presented with the project. Elements of pop, hip-hop, jazz, grunge and more are all touched on at one point or another. Such a willingness to use different sounds can sometimes work for the worse, but in this case it only adds layers that work well together.
From the start of “Artistic Depression” it becomes clear immediately that Ray Kincaid is out to make a statement as a rapper to reckon with, but also tell his story. Leading with the radio-ready “The Shameful Turn Up”, we find Ray Kincaid over a smooth production letting out his inner thoughts in free fashion. “Suicidal, tryna find my salvation in this bottle. We going full throttle, but it’s never enough. I got that drank in my cup and I got that weed in my blunt.” It’s confessional-like how honest is he is with his battles with vices and more, but done in a manner that makes this song a head-nodder.
https://soundcloud.com/ayekincaid/sets/artistic-depression
Not everything here is focused on such dark topics, but it is all done with skill. From the soulful trip to the past on “In Search of Good Vibes”, the faded sexual tones of “The Lust Interlude”, or uplifting ode to the women “Queen”, Ray Kincaid’s versatility is put on full display. It proves the first half of the title, with his artistic vision on full display. In my own interpretation, while depression is certainly prevalent on the record, it’s not the most common force on the EP. Kincaid mainly comes across as someone using music to channel feelings greater than that which come from depression. Music acts as the escape to another mindset. That being said, one that does give some negative views of that same escape for the MC is the standout “The Rope and Radio Theory”.
It focuses on the fine lines an artist has to tightrope across in this day and age. Almost every MC comes to a point where they have to decide if they want to write music about what’s most true to them, or make music for what the masses may want to hear. To complete the concept Ray Kincaid gets two totally different pieces of production for a two-track-in-one effect that display both sides of the game. One of the more well put together songs I’ve heard come from the state this year.
There are a few hiccups, I do feel some songs would be better without features. That’s in no disrespect to Keem, he is a fine rapper in his own respect, but for such a personal project it feels to me that Ray Kincaid should have taken a “J. Cole” approach to forming it and kept the workload solo outside of contributions for hooks. At the same time though I must commend the collaborative skills on “The Handshake”, my personal favorite on “Artistic Depression”. This particular joint has a force of ferociousness on a largely mellow set. The song sounds almost like something that can be played at a Black Panther Party meeting if they took place in the era of Hip-Hop. The chorus-sampling production fits perfectly with Keem and Ray’s strong lyricism that was obviously their focus when creating the song. Well done.
All-in-all, I would say that the best way to describe this EP would be as an experience. You come out in the end feeling as though you know more about Ray Kincaid as a person. His struggles, the things that make him happy, his flaws…they are all there on clear display. I would say this is one of the better projects I have heard come from Mississippi in 2016. Be sure to check it out.
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