MeRCY has always released music that is backed by a theme, purpose or some type of message. His latest album comes in the form of a collaborative effort with producer FVNTVNV titled Ink Blots, and just like its predecessors, it too carries a purpose. So what’s that theme or purpose behind the album? Well, in his own words, MeRCY says that Ink Blots is “an attempt to digitally induce musical psychology by convincing hip-hop fans to care about music with substance again”.
The South Florida lyricist began his mission with the lead single “Psycho Michael” delivering compelling bars over the funky canvas like “life been a gamble checking out my parlays/you can go and party/that’s where we part ways/rather go the hard way/listen to what your heart say”. After the release of the single the scene was set for what Ink Blots would end up sounding like for fans of both the rapper and producer. The opening track “Lake Of A Thousand Tears” stays on course with the single showing MeRCY flex his pen game with lines like “In a lake full of guppies and I was the lone shark/this is Mozart/with this beautiful music homie/and that’s where I show art”. Big Man G and Franco East also provide some help as features on the set of sounds as they lend their pen to the collaborative effort. “Can’t coach a king/ask Darvin Ham/couldn’t tell you ’bout him/I am not Shams/in the kitchen my Gordon Rams/play with the heat/they are not Bam” – Franco East on “Smokey’s Breakfast“.
The album weighs in at 10 tracks and all provide a sound we aren’t used to hearing MeRCY tangle with, which even threw him for a loop when connecting with FVNTVNV. “He had a unique style of production which I gravitated towards easily. So working with him was a smooth transition” says MeRCY. Both artists had never worked with one another before so for fans to get a collaborative album only adds to the odd aura surrounding Ink Blots. “FVNTVNV informed me he’s a producer and engineer. I needed a song mixed which I sent him and then after he was sending me beats. It felt like it was meant to be, we were meant to collaborate and do some music” – MeRCY
Along with the release of Ink Blots comes the official video for track number six “Ocean Drive“. The visual was shot at the Hollywood Beach boardwalk in Fort Lauderdale, bringing some 80’s VHS vibes to accompany the official audio. It’s not Christmas yet but it does seem like it so go ahead and open your present and hit play on the new music from both Merc and FVNTVNV below via Spotify. Be sure to tap in with them on their social media accounts. Handles can be found below.
@musicbymercy
@fvntvnv
Be Known.