Featured artist: M.a.K. - Making Waves with the MidWest
Below is a short interview with the upcoming underground artist M.a.K..
How did you decide to become an artist?
M.a.K.: I’ve been in love with music my whole life. When I was 6 or 7 years old I remember hearing Snoop Dogg’s first album, Doggystyle. My mom had the album because she loved the single ”What’s my Name” and I played it all the way through at any given chance. I fell in love with that old school funk sound he incorporated in his music. The whole West coast waas my early influence honestly. The first actual rap record I owned was a Warren G single cassette with ”Do you see” and ”What’s Next” on it. I was always learning every word of every song I heard that I was jamming. This continued up until I heard Eminem’s first full length, and that’s when I first felt like a white MC could be taken seriously. I also started to listen to Twista, Bone Thugs, and Tech N9ne around the same time and was spitting all their songs word for word with my buddies as a competitive thing. I started realizing if I could keep the pace with the fastest rappers doing it why not try to write for myself. I had wrote music before that point but that’s when I shifted my entire focus on being another rapid fire MidWest MC.
First time I met Tech N9ne and told him he was an inspiration to me he gave me daps and pulled me in and said. ”that’s what I do this for, keep showing Love Imma show it right back.”
What about concerts? Do you play live?
I love being on the road performing live. There’s no better feeling than putting your music out with full energy on a stage and the people embrace it fully.
Best punchline you ever wrote?
I used to be bashful now I take beats and dissect em so they callin me an asshole if your plans were to takeover the streets, I rectum.
What are you currently working on? Did you release something in the past?
The EP Red Eye Muzik is set to release soon, along with a couple mixtape projects also due out in 2014.
Last but not least: Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I wouldn’t sign a major label deal only because I want to maintain control creatively of my music. To me Strange Music is a major label by the moves they make and the artists on the roster, but technically the label is ”independent” The huge labels are mostly ran by yuppies who just want to line their pockets and want to make records to comply with radio standards and sell records compared to a specific ”in” artist. In my opinion there is not to many pro’s in the long run of your career to signing with the suit and tie labels.
Any last words?
I want to send a HUGE shout out to the support I get from the state of Indiana as a whole. Hoosiers show mad love and support with everything I do. Shout out to Nasty Nate for everything he does up front and behind the scenes. A Rod, my brother for the video work and sharing the same vision for where this is going to go. Shakey and all of 21 Jumpstreet Ent. for taking this exactly where it needs to go. Big shoutout to my brother Lil Wyte for all the opportunities and every time we kick it turnin up til the rest of the party taps out. Mad love to M-Eighty for everything he’s done for my career. Much love to any and everyone rockin MidWest Stress and Homegrown gear to represent us…
Where can we contact you?
M.a.K.: http://www.facebook.com/therealMaK
Thank you for your time. We wish you and your career the success it deserves.
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This interview was done by Amanda Aselia, a long time blogger and entertainment journalist specialized in the underground hip hop music field.
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