M.C. Sea-Ray: The Gloomy Kid LP [Review]

Artist: M.C. Sea-Ray

Album: The Gloomy Kid LP (2013) [self-release]

Introducing a project from a young, talented, and still learning artist: The Gloomy Kid LP.

A 13-song tape that showcases the broad range of the young rapper, it is an unfinished product and has its moments of hiccups, but the potential is there and it is real.

Marco McCray, 16, born in Seattle takes his life experiences and puts them into a chorus of words about his friends, his future, his hobbies, and his family. Including a song dedicated to his mother who died in 2012. Each song brings a different tone and vibe and is certain to appeal to a wide audience of listeners. The feature song, August 1st, dedicated to his mother displays Sea-Ray in his rawest and truest form. You can hear the emotion in his words and in his vocals. Though the song would benefit from a female feature to sing the hook, the song features a good track and he keeps pace well. The lyrics are a bit choppy at points but nothing that a quick word swap couldn’t fix. One of his strongest songs on the album, and for good reason. Rest in paradise, Karen. We love you, and we miss you.

One of the more unique songs on the tape, Mrs. Complaint has some of the strongest potential and could easily be a single release. The only downfalls of the song are that Sea-Ray’s tone of voice seems to change a 1/3 of the way through the song and never goes back to normal. It is a noticeable difference. The secondary voice switches between a young girl, or a young boy. It is hard to tell. Lyrically, this song is creative and original. Again, just a few word swaps and a quicker delivery to go with the beat. Sea-Ray’s intelligence shows with this song.

Being that he is a minor, it is always interesting to hear raps about marijuana and alcohol, but none the less Late Night Thoughts and Smokey Poetry Remastered feature Sea-Ray at what seems to be his easiest. His lyrics are smooth, transitions work well and the delivery is on point, particularly in Smokey Poetry Remastered. It is evident that Sea-Ray likes to not only rap, but sing in his songs as well. He’s going to have to take some singing lessons or start singing in his lower, natural voice in order to avoid the moments where his pitch is off.

Soul Fuud is a feel-good song with a happy, summertime like beat. You wouldn’t expect this type of beat from a 16-year old by any means. His lyrics are good but they do tend to travel a lot of places. Tightening up the lyrics and a louder delivery would give this song the punch it is missing.

Another unique song, but with not as good execution is Missile Aliens. The first minute or so the song is potentially his best one on the album. However, there is this auto-tune break that happens and never seems to go away. It starts to sound like somebody is dragging their fingernails across a chalkboard, you want it to stop. This song could do without that tune entirely, but if not certainly shorten/limit the amount.

Overall the album is a strong debut showing for Sea-Ray. Hopefully he’ll continue to work on his craft and make the right connections to build his brand.

Strongest Songs

Smokey Poetry Remastered // August 1st

Sleeper Jams

Class Notez // Mrs. Complaint // Rigamortus Freestyle Remix // Walk on By

TB