After going viral with his single/video “Mumble Rapper vs. Lyricist,” Vin Jay has turned a corner in his career that continues to produce his most compelling music yet. And his latest release, the Karma EP, proves that point by packing thoughtful, tack-sharp lyricism into its five tracks. From bravado-laced bangers to meditations on mental health, the Long Island native covers a variety of concepts with his signature slick pen game.
Karma kicks off with a powerful statement in the track “Brain Dead,” an inspiring anthem that absolutely slaps. Vin Jay deftly blends braggadocious lyrics with messaging that he hopes will help listeners reach their full potential. It’s actually that message—doing the work to be your best self—that runs through the entirety of the EP. You can also hear a similarly uplifting, chest-pounding message on the track “What’s Doubt,” where he spits, “Go ahead, turn this shit loud/ ‘Bout to show the whole world what I’m ‘bout/ Motherf*cker, what’s doubt?”
Even when Vin Jay is at his lowest on Karma’s standout track “Break Down,” he balances it out with plenty of heart and hope. “That’s a storytelling record that speaks on the struggles of depression,” the emcee says. “I wanted to let people know they’re not alone and that there really is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Vin Jay also wasn’t alone in crafting this EP, which includes one guest feature that he really makes count. Rapid-fire spitter Krizz Kaliko shows up for “Killer” and the two embraced the challenge of having similar energy while trying to outdo one another. “I am very competitive,” Kaliko says, “And this song was 100 percent a challenge that I loved being part of.”
You can hear that love on “Killer” and the rest of the Karma EP, which shines thanks to the passion Vin Jay, his one guest, and his producer lineup bring to the fold. Karma is available now via Vin Jay’s label imprint in partnership with Compound Interest.
