McKinley Dixon - Magic, Alive!

Released 6th June 2025

Richmond-born, Chicago-based rapper McKinley Dixons new album, Magic, Alive! began life when Dixon received an unexpected email from English producer Sam Yamaha. Dixons early beats had inspired Yamahas own nascent work, and he wanted Dixon to listen. Before long, Dixon rendezvoused with him in London, digging through his archive to find a wealth of beats that resonated with his own approach and with the burgeoning concept for Magic, Alive! In July 2024, Dixon returned to his native Richmond, Virginia, with a tranche of sounds from Sam Yamaha and Koff, with whom hed worked before.

Alongside a cavalcade of guests and friends, from the mighty singer Anjimile and imaginative Alabama emcee Pink Siifuto trombonist Reggie Pace and harpist Eli Owens, Dixon split these beats wide open, adding hooks and horn lines and guest spots. He strung several songs together, too, so that Magic, Alive! moves like a dream or, at the very l