Autobiography

Roy Kinsey is an anomaly when it comes to tradition in his respective industries. Where being a black, queer-identified, rapper, and librarian may be an intimidating choice for some, Roy Kinsey’s non-conformist ideology has informed his poignant releases, BLACKIE: A Story by Roy Kinsey, Kinsey: A Memoir, and most recently 3 RINGS. KINSEY: A Memoir, and Blackie: A Story by Roy Kinsey, capture the darkness of his shadow work, as sinister, yet sincere lyrics provide a potent musical performance by Kinsey. “Kinsey’s observations are strong on ‘Memoir,’; shaped by early traumas that threatened to debilitate his belief in himself as well as the abilities of his family. His music is the manifestation of a black queer man, coming of age in Chicago.” - Leor Galil Chicago Reader.

Gracing the the cover of prominent publications like Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune, Billboard, LA Times, NPR, WBEZ’s Vocalo, and WGCI to name a few, this coverage proves that Kinsey’s goal to preserve rap as a literary art form resonates. His contributions are offerings to the cannon of black queer literature, and hip hop.

Kinsey’s visual for his record BSAYF (B****, She Ain’t You Friend), exploring black queer identity, friendship and spirituality, premiered at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), the Art Institute of Chicago, the Harold Washington Cultural Center and the Du sable Museum. Kinsey has shared his lyrics on the stages of the legendary Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, the Silver Room Block Party, Pride at the Park in Grant Park, First Avenue in Minnesota, Thalia Hall, Soho House, Empty Bottle, and House of Blues.

His professional development in librarianship has fueled his desire for self-examination, reporting his findings, in rhyme. He believes his creative works touch the hearts of many because it comes from the heart.

kinsey: a memoir is the 6th studio album by Roy Kinsey.

kinsey tracklist + credits

  1. I Don’t Beg (produced by Wildersee)

  2. Knows (produced by Wildersee)

  3. Awwright Now (produced by Wildersee)

  4. Invisible Man (produced by Wildersee)

  5. Balloons (produced by Lucas Hart)

  6. Kitchen, Barber, Beauty Shop (produced by Lucas Hart)

  7. Fetish (produced by Spoken Thought)

  8. Freedom Time (produced by Mike Jones)

  9. Everything is Everything (produced by Spoken Thought)

  10. Devil Be Busy (produced by LPXIV)

  11. 400 (False Idol) (produced by LPXIV + Wildersee)

running time: 46 minutes

written by: roy kinsey

executive produced by: mike jones

mixed by: darwin derequito

brought to you by: hom/fantastic sound

release date: february 20, 2020

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blackie: a story by roy kinsey, is the 4th studio album by chicago born, queer-identified, rapper and librarian, roy kinsey. this new, highly anticipated release, is a message-oriented project, covering the effects of racism, the Great Migration, addiction, violence, mental illness and sexuality.

.blackie tracklist + credits

1. blackbird (+migration) (produced by mike jones)
2. mississippi mud (produced by mike jones)
3. citadel blues f. joshua torrez (produced by nick castle)
4. rbg (produced by phoelix)
5. jungle book (produced by mike jones + spoken thought)
6. great aggin [reprise] f. pete sayke + stik figa (produced by mike jones)
7. for colored boys (+ meditation) (produced by mike jones)
8. ring, ring (produced by phoelix)
9. function (+medication) (produced by ill brown + mike jones)
10. MRMR (produced by ill brown)
11. .blackie (produced by nick castle)

running time: 44 minutes

written by: roy kinsey
executive produced by: mike jones
mixed by: ill brown
brought to you by: fantastic sound/futurehood

release date: february 14, 2018

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