Music Meets Fashion 2018 Bryan Michael Cox

FADE INTOM.A.C
rom the glitz and glam of today?s Hip Hop
comes an original perspective. Here, the catchy
hooks yield to rap in its most organic form. Fade
to black...MAC the Black Sheep that is. In the
chorus that is current Hip Hop his voice actually
stands out.
Mac The Black Sheep, a native North Carolinian,
is far more than a rural kid with urban
ambitions. He?s a maverick who not only
marches to the beat of his own drum but also
dictates his own life?s soundtrack as well.
?It was the freedom to say whatever you wanted
to say that drew me to Hip Hop,? MAC explains
when asked what about the music initially
attracted him. ?My dad used to play Martin
Luther King speeches and his ?Drum Major?
speech always stood out to me?. With legendary
speeches, from transcendent figures such as Dr.
King as his muse, rap became a logical choice. ?I
used to rap at the school lunch tables and got
ooze & ahh?s. Then I entered a talent show and
got the same reaction. Then it just became a
way for me to channel all my negative energy?.
?I chose my name as an artist because I was
always considered the Black Sheep of my family.
Everyone in my family is 6ft 4 or taller and plays
basketball. Anyone who chooses to do
something different doesn?t get the same
support or enthusiasm behind them?.
?The way I came up made me numb to a lot of
stuff but it let me know that I was strong enough
to get through certain things?. Mac the Black
Sheep is not your typical rapper. There?s a depth
to him that his music inevitably displays. ?As an
artist it gives me something to talk about. It also
makes me want to give somebody something
they can relate to; get them through that hard
time in their life?. Mac uses his pain and turns it
into inspiration which is a musical quality that
makes his music ultra relatable.
?A lot people compare me to J. Cole obviously
from the Fayetteville connection?, he quips when
asked how he characterizes himself as an artist.
Mac The BlackSheep is from a town called
Southern Pines which is only about an hour
from Fayetteville, NC where J. Cole grew up. ?We
LEVEL21 MAGAZINE-PG.46
have similar stories with both of our mom?s being on drugs?.
According to Mac that?s about where their similarities end. It?s not
because he doesn?t respect J. Cole?s music. He simply wants to be
his own artist. He doesn?t want to be in anyone?s shadow.
There are countless artists, however, that he?d like to share the
spot light with. Mac would love to collaborate with Icons such as
Farrell and Snoop to Neo Soul legends Jill Scott and Erykah Badou.
He even envisions working with the likes of Stevie Wonder which
is a testament to The Black Sheep?s range. His vision spans far
beyond the scope of music. He has his own clothing line
affectionately called Pineology. Mac looks not only to impact rap
music but the culture surrounding it as well.
His latest eat musical project is an album entitled ?Everytime?. It
features a side for guys and one directed specifically for the
ladies. ?My favorite track off this album is probably one called
?Lame S* * t?. I lost a lot of people recently to violence and prison?.
The song features an acoustic guitar uniquely designed to
highlight and accompany his emotional lyrics.
Mac the Black Sheep is an artist who is not afraid to take the road
less traveled in Hip Hop. Whether it?s anger, sadness or pain he
encapsulates it all. The result is a introspective journey with a very
personable feel. Mac the Black Sheep is a refreshing flow to a very
predictable track in Hip Hop.
Written by Chris Pointe