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GET TO KNOW: MCKINLEY DIXON
THURSDAY 5TH JUNE 2025
WORDS BY GEMMA IMBRIANO
McKinley Dixon is a storyteller first, a rapper second. Someone who uses music the way
others use a journal, a space to explore thoughts, emotions and experiences. Pushing the boundaries of conventional hip-hop using music as a vessel for story telling, reflection and connection.
Blending elements of jazz, soul, and hip-hop with sharp, incisive and introspective lyricism, his work redefines what contemporary rap can sound like and say. As a fond student of literature, he has crafted a unique space where narrative, vulnerability, and rhythm collide. His music resonates with emotional depth, inviting listeners into an intimate yet universally relatable experience.
Building on that foundation, his upcoming album, ‘Magic, Alive!’ channels that same energy into a compelling story of three kids trying to bring their friend back to life through means of magic. A journey which ultimately explores what it truly means to live forever. Deep diving into themes of grief, joy, identity and the power of hope.
As thoughtful and intentional in conversation as he is in his craft, we spoke to Mckinley about the magic behind the music, the stories and people that inspired the record, and the creative process that brought ‘Magic, Alive!’ to life.
The album is called ‘Magic, Alive!’. Where does magic play a part in the story of who you are, your identity?
So magic to me, I tried to use one word to describe what I wanted the concept to be. So it was like, okay, what is magic? Quick, dangerous, witty, fiery, you know? Childlike. And I think what is alive? Breathing, happiness, moments, things like that. Those words and the definition are the intersection of the concept of ‘Magic, Alive!’ and my life, they meet at the point where those words are. I try to keep my life whimsical. I try to keep my life fiery, sometimes dangerous if I can. It's really just childlike, wonder, those sorts of definitions. That's where that name and the energy also match mine.
Listening to this project in particular, what part of you will your listeners or new audiences resonate with that they might not have known about you before?
See, the thing is, I always try to keep it me. All my records have been me. That's like the theme of all of it, that it exists in my timeline in one way or the other, outside of the music. What they'll learn is that it's a little bit more playful. I think on this record there are a lot more moments that feel fun. It's like a storybook, more so. ‘Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?’ was my look through Toni Morrison novels and how I saw the world through her eyes. ‘For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her’ was me making the concept of processing the death of a friend. Before that, it's all even more deep into my history. This one is the first one where it's a straight story and it's like, how would this story look as a movie? As a book? All of that, you know? So I think that people will find it a little bit more fun.
Is there a particular story that sits at the core of this record?
Yeah! This one is cool because it revolves around three kids who lose one of their best friends during the summertime. They explore ways of trying to bring him back, including magic. Only to find out that the only way to stay alive is through stories and song and dance.
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There's the beginning, which is me presenting the album and what it is. Then there’s ‘Watch My Hands’ and then from there, the story begins. ‘Sugar Water’ is trying to bring the kid back to life, then ‘Crooked Stick’ is everybody running around the chaos of it all. Then it goes sort of to the middle of it, it gets more dreamlike. Then you meet all the friends outside, and then it eventually ends with ‘Magic, Alive!’, where it's the only way. We live, we dance, we survive. That's Magic, Alive! So, it's all sort of the story of these kids discovering what it means to live forever through attainable means, in ways.
It's always great hearing you speak of the people that have inspired you, were there any key inspirations for Magic, Alive! in particular?
I looked to a lot of storytelling from Backxwash. She's really great, an incredible artist from Canada. She just released a record ‘Only Dust Remains’. I looked for inspiration from this one artist called Diamanda Galas. She’s really cool, she makes, like, very witchy music. Yeah. She's awesome. So this one, I mean, just look at that. Look at those titles. She is really cool. It's very witchy. And I guess my friends, a lot of my peers, a lot of people on the record inspire me.
You have some incredible collaborators on this album. Is there anyone that you got to work with on this that you've been wanting to work with for a while?
Yeah. So this one was really cool because it also intersects with a lot of my friends that I've always made music with. They are on there because, of course, why would I not? They’re the best rappers ever. It’s also another way that I incorporate the childlike aspect of it, it involves a lot of the legends from my childhood. Chris is someone who I've listened to for a long time. Blu is someone who I’ve listened to for a long time. Pink Siifu, not really childhood, but like someone i’ve listened to for a long time. A lot of people that are from outside of my story are now part of it, and they're very aware of it, which is really cool.
You’ve got a tour coming up, where are you excited to play? What are you bringing to this tour?
I have a great time in London. Actually, all of the UK is really solid. Paris is really fun. I’m just excited to be on tour, to see the world. The world is always so fun. We are going to do a live band, and we have a really cool opener for it, which will be announced soon! It’s someone cool.
What are you most excited for with the Magic, Alive! era?
I'm excited to have a little bit more fun, be a little bit more like, weird. I sort of did, well, not did but do the rap thing so it’s nice to put more concepts and ideas into things that aren't usually in rap.
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