TRAGICALLY MAGIC

Invincible Misfortune

The Resilient Music of Tragically Magic

by Lydia Plantamura

After cheating death, the kids started calling him “Black Magic.” Chad Kinnear, the artist better known as Tragically Magic, faced numerous life-threatening situations growing up, and the experience has shaped his music. He seems invincible, surviving things like severe burns, dislocated limbs, electrocution, and poison. Until the release of his new album, INSIDE, many fans were unaware of Magic’s tragic history. Although he alludes to personal struggle in his lyrics, there were never any direct references to specific experiences. A former boxer, Tragically Magic is opening up old wounds from his days of competing. Fighting in local gyms around the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, his professional career was cut short at the young age of 16. Magic trained too hard, packing on 35 pounds in just two short weeks. The added muscle mass was too much for his body to handle, and Tragically Magic’s feet and ankles were crushed under his own body weight. His only backup plan was to join the military, and, suddenly, Magic’s hopes and dreams vanished.

Young and uncertain of his future, Tragically Magic gravitated toward music. Writing songs helped him carry on through serious injury, harsh life circumstance, and sporadic mental stability. Music became a therapy for Magic, and he noticed how writing about his trauma helped both himself and others. Derived from pain, the darkness in his music gives perspective on difficult situations, allowing listeners and even the creator himself to transcend it, crossing into the light on the other side. These days, he treats every moment as if it’s his last, recognizing that you don’t really know when it all ends.

INSIDE, Tragically Magic’s latest project continues to carry that strong, fighting energy. It’s a monumental drop for Magic, since the 20-song album is being released in 2020 while he’s 20 years of age. The album is already gaining listens on streaming platforms, and it’s building momentum. While many rap artists focus their lyrical content around drugs, gangs, and throwing shade, Tragically Magic avoids all that mess. Instead, his music is offering fans something that they can actually relate to. He listens to how fans are responding to his music, and delivers according to demand. His reach is growing, and Tragically Magic is expanding his audience. 

His music sounds dark, lowering your mood when you want to turn down, or picking you up when you’re feeling low, and pushing you forward. Tragically Magic is a boost of support for his fans. He personally makes himself available to his followers, and leaves his social media pages open for messages. He’s been through tough times and knows what it’s like to need someone. “You are not alone,” he tells his fans.

When he started making music, Tragically Magic was still processing his past hurts. His first album, “Left Behind,” was looking at what was behind him. It is about a bleak time-frame when Magic was loosing friends and family. He needed to write about that feeling of abandonment so he could move through it. It was a life-changing piece, a major project that came very early in his career. His second album, “Things Change,” followed the next month, taking a look at the brighter side to things. It was optimistic turn, as Magic focused on being thankful instead, this time finding a way of giving back to those who had been there for him, honoring the people who actually stayed when things got rough.

Tragically Magic says he’s an over-thinker, so he channels that abundance of mental energy into his music. He gets a lot of ideas from conversations. A single sentence uttered by a friend can lead to an entire song for Magic. When he hears a beat, or picks up a rhythm, he gets to work. He can write anywhere, occasionally changing his scenery when he needs a boost of creativity. He loves the moment of anticipation in the studio, right before they start recording. In this moment, Magic always turns to his producer, Burlee, and asks, “Are you ready to make history?”

Burlee and Magic have bonded over the last year of recording music together. They’ve been busy too, turning out dozens upon dozens of tracks in the short time they’ve been working together. Magic is a maniac when it comes to making music, though. In his first year on the scene, he wrote over 100 songs, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

With most shows canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tragically Magic is postponing his debut performances until concerts are safe again. For now, he’s working on new songs to hold his fans over. Even more fresh tracks will be hitting streaming services this fall, so be sure to follow Tragically Magic on your preferred music app. His music brings a bold perspective to audiences, and is sparking positive change for the greater good of humanity.