Multi-faceted trap-hiphop artist SlicKo Dicaprio shares his debut EP ‘Cosmic Highway’, out now on all streaming platforms. Watch the music video for the lead single ‘Won’t Rest Can’t Rest’ here.

“I want listeners to experience this EP as a journey through a varied emotional spectrum”, says Slicko about ‘Cosmic Highway’. Naming Yeat, Playboi Carti, Lancey Foux and Cochise as his biggest influences, Slicko effortlessly combines elements of trap, rage, hip hop and emo rap on an EP that feels out of this world with the creative instrumentals and flow that he brings. Slicko thrives on pushing the boundaries when it comes to genre, and his new EP is sure to set the bar for what can be accomplished in modern day hip hop.

Slicko DiCaprio’s creative world is an ever changing place: a universe of growth and introspection governed by love and instinct. His energy is felt intensely through work that ranges from subtle investigations of heartbreak to synthesised rage, and has led to a strong catalogue of music and numerous prosperous collaborations. He projects a strong identity across many disciplines. DiCaprio is at once rapper, singer, producer, and director, always studious and looking to learn through artistic dedication.

DiCaprio’s voice is uncompromisingly unique. He sings in a driven glide and raps in tight bursts, often swapping between the two in an instant. Across full length projects like ‘22’ and ‘Mortal Bodies’, stories are told as a collection of unpredictable jigsaw sequences. He’s also a keen collaborator, having worked closely with blkglam, AKMZ, Heartbreak SZN, and The John Williams Syndicate. Often mystically produced, these songs are given a sense of reality by DiCaprio’s consistently open use of emotion – each hazy beat and catchy hook is an invitation to truly feel the journey unfold.

Now based in London, Slicko DiCaprio has committed to exploring new ideas. He’s never content with stasis, and never loses sight of his artistic language; whether in music, video, or any one of his other roles, he remains committed to fashionably intricate style, pushing as hard as ever to make space for creative ideas.

What’s your story as an artist? 

I first properly fell in love with music when I was around 9 years old and my friend played lil wayne and eminem’s song ‘No love’ to me. I had never heard music like that before and I became insanely infatuated with Hiphop, from the culture to the story telling and incredible technical abilities displayed through the genre. I was part of school choirs and orchestras throughout my education but never really took it seriously, it wasn’t until I was 16 and realised I really enjoy freestyling that I linked up with some local rappers in Doncaster called MTID (music till i die ) and began recording my first tracks with them. Naturally, it took awhile to get the hang of things but once I did we were able to get a bit of buzz in the local area and throw a few shows together.

I decided to go on my own route, leaving the rap group in 2019 and deciding to move to London as I felt a deep hunger to develop further as an artist overall and be able to lay solid foundations for my career. I never really felt comfortable sitting in the comfort zone and as always was eager to spread my creative wings, which eventually led me to learning how to sing, produce and mix and master on top of my skills as a rapper.

What inspired this last release?

Cosmic Highway was the result of me looking to explore my creativity via new mediums as my old way wasn’t working out too well due to the effects of the pandemic. I spent a lot of time looking at artists such as Young Thug, Future, Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi and studying their catalogue of work. This led me diving deeper into the atlanta trap scene as I realised the way some of the tracks are produced and executed were so well done and I could envision the potential this direction had. As I was learning production at the time, I took this as an opportunity to develop as a producer and an artist, taking in from these inspirations and adding my own flavour to see just how far I can take it. Around a third way through working on this release I got introduced to psychedelics and the title is actually taken from a quote I said during a trip, something like “we’re all just drifting along a cosmic highway”; to which my partner at the time reminded me and I thought it fit just right. As a result some of the later made tracks such as “Trance” are inspired by rave sounds and trippy aesthetics. 

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

I am secretly the biggest nerd you will meet so my external inspiration tends to come from reading manga, watching anime or video games I’ve been playing. Currently I’ve been following Attack On Titan and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime and a few others. I love art and have done a few paintings/drawings here and there but because of the pandemic I have yet to go to an art gallery here in London! 

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?

I was on the peak of a trip during the recording of fire n desire, so naturally it took me a while to get the recording down as the laptop screen was constantly moving in accordance with the music.

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

I actually enjoy writing whilst on the move, just walking gets the brain thinking so well. Other than that I really prefer a nice quiet environment where there’s not too much (or too little ) going on so I can focus on an idea. 

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

Albums like To Pimp A Butterfly, Blonde and Whole Lotta Red have to be shining examples for me. Each project is far from “safe” and takes creative risks that are just executed so expertly I can’t help but feel in awe of them all. They each redefine what it is to be in those artists’ shoes and to take a glimpse of their perspective.

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

Kanye West, Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Childish Gambino are all the artists I look up to the most in all areas. They’re all insanely gifted individuals who reinvent conventions time and time again, fearlessly doing them in all regards and to me they are exactly what artists should be. 

What excites you the most about what you do ?

As of late I am obsessed with production, I love trying out new production styles, buying new VSTs, messing around with new genres I haven’t done yet and just overall experimentation. I feel that’s what it’s all about, experimentation. 

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your

music?

I believe the terms only serve to categorise and make finding music or artist easier but never should define or constrain an artist completely. I want to be able to express myself in any given format at any given time as I feel that’s exactly who I am as a person, fluid and malleable. Always growing and always changing. 

What does music and art mean to you?

Ultimate freedom of expression. Without art, life is mundane and grey, and with it, life is a boundless adventure for all to enjoy! 

How would you describe your act in one word?

Iridescent