Ricky Hil: Beneath The Darkness

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Ricky Hil?

I was so interested in clothes growing up and, to me, the people who looked the coolest wearing them were rappers and rock ‘n’ roll singers. I thought that if I wanted to dress like that, too, I had to make music. I also saw Lenny Kravitz, B.B. King and Eric Clapton live with my dad as a kid, and that music got into my soul. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was 8 or 9 years old.

Now you’re from Fairfield County, CT, correct? So growing up in the “Constitution State,” who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Jimi Hendrix, just because there are so many aspects to his music, and it just makes me feel the best. Also, a lot of East Coast rappers inspired me growing up…like Jay-Z, Jadakiss, all those New York guys. Rappers from Philly; like Philly’s Most Wanted and Cassidy, all of them inspired me.

At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

I think I was 13 years old, and you couldn’t tell me there was anything else I wanted to do. I got a DJ vinyl set for Christmas that I had set up in my dad’s attic, and I used to rap over instrumentals. Once I started doing that, there was nothing else I wanted to do.

With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

I would say it’s vulnerable.

In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?

I don’t pen my lyrics because any time I’ve tried that, it sounds like I’m reading lyrics. It’s not a lot of thought that goes into it; it’s just a flow of subconscious. But I’m inspired by everyday life. I’m inspired by past heartbreak that still hurts me. It’s like therapy for me, so when I hear a melody that hits a note with me I can speak to that.

Your latest single / video is entitled “Tryin” — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?

A year ago, we had a really great sample from a friend, and then Benny [TrapMoneyBenny] came into the studio and started playing a crazy bass line on there and added drums. The whole thing came together in a couple hours.

“Tryin” comes courtesy of your brand new LP, Same Shit Different Day — Conceptually, although pretty self explanatory, still tell me what that title represents both to and for you?

The name came from an inside joke with my manager, Jake, and I. We realized we were just doing the same shit every day, so we thought we’d call the project, Same Shit Different Day.

How then does SSDD either differ and / or compare to previous bodies of work?

I think it follows my past projects, SYLDD and Candy Painted Coffins, nicely. There’s no features, which is different for me. I think the production compliments my other albums because it’s the same energy that I like to make.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

I want people that relate to it to try and find the message beneath it all. In a lot of the songs, where I have a lot to say, there’s a hidden message in there. Beneath the darkness, there is a positive message to where I’m offering a solution and help to people who are like me.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Lee “Scratch” Perry. I just think that he’s a prophet sent straight from God.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Definitely Madison Square Garden. When I was a kid, my uncle Andy (Hilfiger) took me to a sold out Jay-Z show, and that changed my life. It gave me goosebumps! And that was right around 2003, around the time when I decided that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

I’ve been around for a long time. Some people blow up overnight, and that’s cool, too, but it’s hard to sustain something that was built overnight. I have a strong foundation, like a house. I’ve been trying to build my house forever. It’s fallen down a lot, and I just keep building it back up.

Do you have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I wish I could learn to tattoo one day. I love to draw; I love art. One day when I’m old and bored, I’d love to write a movie, too.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop music?

As long as there’s Hip Hop still around, I’m happy. It’ll change all the time. People can’t help that they like the music they grew up with, more than the music that’s out now. It’s just what it is.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Dropping this album, SSDD, for sure.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Touring, singing, smoking weed; same shit, different day!

As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Ricky?

We’re going to put out another song. I’ve got a whole freestyle tape that I did that I want to put out…and then another album! Also, I can’t wait to tour when it’s safe to do so.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Please enjoy the album.