Hailing from the Bronx, July Quin re-imagines the feels of every young adult with his album 'Dealing with Doubt' (released April 4)- an album so relatable you get a little paranoid because you're sure he's writing about you. "I needed it to make sense and connect with people. I took a long time with it because I knew that it meant something to not only me, but to other people."
With lyrics like, "I was born in the belly of the beast, my love. Never was told that I could be someone. I never graduated out of high school, sir. They ain't expect me to grind like such", Quin takes you on a his journey of dealing with doubt from himself and others while still trying to accomplish his dreams. "When you're young, you think you can be what you wanna be", Quin explains. "It's so hard to be everything that you want to be instantaneously. It doesn't happen overnight."
It's easy to categorize 'Dealing with Doubt' as a sad album, but it is actually quite encouraging. From the heartfelt back and forth from Quin and Dizzy SenZe in 'UhHuh' to the reflective and vulnerable Quin in 'Run' you get a push to strive just a little bit more. The composition of this largely self produced album is melodious, cohesive, and rounded. Quin draws you in with the timbre of his songs, but you definitely stay when you hear his resonant vocals.
“This is happening a whole lot more within my community than what I’m aware of.”
When you’re trying to accomplish a dream that seems bigger than yourself it can feel daunting. You reach a level of tunnel-vision that creates the "me against the world" stigma. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s a special warmth you get when you are able to connect with others who are also striving for their dreams.
"The reason I love this album so much and the reason why I want to connect with people as much as I do with this album is for when my friends start not believing in themselves and talking about how they wanna quit because of how society is or whatever the case may be. I just wanna be that person to open the door and be like, 'yo, there’s definitely more to this than what you see right now.'"
In the subtly amiable song 'Wonderland', Jessie Davis accompanies Quin in nurturing the kings and queens who dream. "We reside in the art they claims illegal- but this is one of the closest ways to get to people", the rapper recites which allows you to feel connected to not only his art, but to his doubt as well.
Doubt can be the killer of the human spirit. It is a self conscious struggle that can paralyze every thing you've set yourself up to accomplish. "People stop because their doubt is so loud that they don’t allow themselves to achieve everything that they can be."
Doubt can be the killer of the human spirit. It is a self conscious struggle that can paralyze every thing you've set yourself up to accomplish. "People stop because their doubt is so loud that they don’t allow themselves to achieve everything that they can be."
"Sometimes we only get one chance to engage people ‘cause the attention span for music is pretty short so if you’re not captivating anybody for their personal interest you only have one chance to really wow them. If you get the opportunity to give somebody an experience than you've already captured them. Focus on capturing people’s attention and giving them something to talk about. Invite them in. Don’t make them so distant from you."
You can listen to the breathtaking album here:
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(Lead Image: NinoConqueso, Other images: dealingwithdoubt.tumblr.com)
