KenicRay - All Work No Play (EP)

The Midwest always breeds that hardcore talent & Kenic Ray is the latest to add to that mix. The confidence in his flow is so sinuous as he’s weaving his way gracefully into each bar, reminding lovers of lyricism, such as myself, of the lost art of the long verses. You know, the song that’s just one long verse of them firing off what needs to be said & showing off just how effortless this rap shit is to them. It’s child play the way Kenic smacks this intro around; the beat provided by Big Tex Johnny sounds like a takeover as he reigns along with it. He’s going head to head with his demons off rip, so you know he’s going to slay them before they do.

Kenic has got an equal amount of angels and demons & they’re constantly colliding with one another. Sure, he keeps to himself, but he’s peeping everything that’s going on & I don’t think he likes what he sees. Nobody seems to care for a lot of fraudulence, but at least he’s about everything he talks about in his raps when you are rapping with this level of raw conviction. It leaves no doubt in your mind that they’re not to be toyed with, personally & lyrically. You know what, musically, cause the production is top-notch & a lesser MC wouldn’t dare try to top what he’s done here. Did you ever think to rhyme “root canal” with “juvenile”? No, I didn’t think so.

On “Pimp Walk,” Kenic is on his kingpin shit; it’s such a hauntingly subtle banger. The production alone puts you in a trance, like you’re strapped down & forced to see & hear what stands before you, so if you weren’t heeding his warning shots prior, you indeed are now. He’s absolutely levitating over this beat, he’s just so much further up that inclination, watching you slide further down the more you climb up it, trying desperately to get on his level, but it’s never going to happen. I had never heard of Kenic before this & I must say, he left quite the impression & I look forward to more of this hardcore lyricism; it’s “All Work No Play” with him so put some in before you try.