It’s not always easy to be an introvert in today’s sometimes hyper-social creative scene, and St. Pete emcee Dabron Kain (aka Kxng Kain) isn’t afraid to explore that topic on a new song, “Be You,” from his new LP, Trial & Era. The cut — recorded by Ryan Copeland and mastered by Justin Colen — is an examination of the use of alcohol in situations where social anxiety might keep the best version of someone from emerging.
DO THIS: DABRON KAIN LP RELEASE AT FUBAR 04.01.17
“It takes place in my mind as I have a conversation with myself while getting drunk,” Kain, 26, told CL in a message. He says he’s never been good at small talk or working a room full of crowded people, but they’re skills he’s working on.
“I’m a funny outgoing person once you get to know me but most times I stay in my shell and just observe without speaking before opening up.”
Read: Hiphopalooza 4 — an audiovisual review
His personality shines just fine onstage (see pics of him at Hip Hop Palooza 4 here), and we expect it to do the same on the nine-track LP that gets the release party treatment on April 1 at Fubar on downtown St. Pete’s 600 Block.
For a while Kain almost let himself get in the way of actually completing it.
“I wrote songs and battled with myself on how I wanted it to sound, started losing direction, and just experimenting until a friend of mine said to ‘just let it rip," he said.
“So I stopped over thinking and got my footing back.”
Have a listen to the track, and read our full Q&A with Kain, below. Get more info on the show via local.cltampa.com.
I struggled with being me mostly because I have an introverted personality and a bit of social anxiety, so meeting new people or being around a crowd of people was hard for me. I’m a funny outgoing person once you get to know me but most times I would stay in my shell and just observe without speaking before opening up to new people. I don’t do too well with small talk either. I have improved on that though,and I had to with the line of work I’m in where I constantly meet new people and network at music events. Still a bit awkward for me, but people may not be able to tell like before. I still have not mastered letting my personality shine through when I perform, but it’s getting there. When I drink, it actually helps (laughing). I open up more and become very talkative once I’m tipsy. I don’t depend on it though, I’m sober 95 percent of the time.
You’re married? How long? How does that relationship affect your songwriting?
Yes I am currently married, it’s been about five months. I got married on St. Pete beach at the Grand Plaza Hotel October 16. it doesn’t affect my songwriting that much but now I’m more cognizant about the songs I write pertaining to females. I rap about past relationships, but I avoid misogynistic lyrics. Actually stopped that when I got in a serious relationship with my wife years ago.
You’re 26, right?
Yes I’m 26, born November 12, 1990.
Let’s talk about the LP as a whole.
The LP is called Trial & Era, it changed a lot in the process of making it actually, went from KXNG Kain EP, to Trial & Era EP to being an LP and no longer an EP. That’s mainly how I got the name. I wrote songs and battled with myself on how I wanted it to sound, started losing direction, and just experimenting with different sound until finally a friend of mine said to "just let it rip" so I stopped over thinking and got my footing back. The album is a play on the phrase "trial & error" since I did a lot of juggling of ideas on this album trying to see what works and what doesn’t. I just used a play on words and changed “error” to “era”, which reflects a time period, I told myself this project will be "the one" and that it’s my time, so "trial" represents the trials I went through creating it and "era" represents my time or "reign" that I see coming for myself, the overall theme is that your trials will build you up to make it to the top and reign.
Ryan and Justin help on the two songs you sent. Are they all over the record?
Ryan Copeland recorded my whole album at his studio Devine Productions, he did the mixing and also guided me through some of the tracks that I did singing on. He is also a musician and plays a few instruments (bass, keys, drums). I’m also the first rapper he has recorded a project for because he mainly works with singers, so that was pretty cool. We both learned from each other in the process, he was very helpful on making sure I hit the right notes and stayed on key as much as possible when I sang on certain tracks. I’m no singer, but can hold a note and know the science behind making it sound good on record. Ryan really pulled it out of me on this album though. I was referred to Justin Colen by a friend whose songs come out very clean when mastered. Justin gave feedback on my rough drafts and was more than happy to master my album for me.
How many songs are on the record? How long is it?
As of now there will be nine songs on the album, but that could change. The final tracklisting will be done in a week or so before it drops March 21. Hell, the date could even change. I’m really flirting with dropping March 14th, it will be either-or.
If you had to point to some sonic influences or artists who’ve guided your sound, who would they be?
My sound has been influenced by many artists, Nas is a big influence to me as far as being a lyricist, but Kanye West may be my biggest influence as far as creative content and production goes. A few others to name would be Tupac, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Eminem, Michael Jackson, and T.I..
Will you be playing the release show with a band? If so, who is in it?
I was going to perform with a band for my album release, but I have other plans in mind that will take up most of the room on stage. One of my openers, Joshua Cruz with be using a band, Trevor on Guitar and Julian on the keys. The remaining openers — Jroc Jones, Dynasty and Mighty Jai — have a straightforward set as far as I know. I’m definitely looking forward to their performances besides my own at the release.
This article appears in Mar 9-16, 2017.