Mack 10's career reads like a history book: it has a definite genesis, growth period, and maturity. He entered the game without stripes-a virtual new jack. He eventually gained some acclaim for his memorable appearance as the "crimey" in Ice Cube's video, "What Can I Do?" Following the successful string of chart-topping singles, Mack 10 joined in on putting
another twist in the game with his involvement in the Westside Connection. Accompanied by label-mate and mentor, Ice Cube, and rap cohort, WC, Mack has stretched the boundaries of rap. Participation in this powerhouse trio generated much buzz in the music industry with the release of their album, Bow Down. The album went on to become one of the most talked
about rap albums of the decade. The mere mention of the group in certain circles has caused debate at best and controversy for sure. Mack 10 teams up once again with his label-mate and long time friend, Ice Cube, to put together "The Guppies." The song touches upon the "new jack" status of wannabe paper-chasers that can't compete with seasoned rhyme stylists,
like Mack and Cube. Mack flaunts skills on "Inglewood Swangin'" with the pride of out nation's anthem. Looping (and tricking) the Kool and the Gang classic, "Hollywood Swangin'" Mack 10 delves into his home team anthem with a veteran's spirit and surely a hero's welcome. To further compliment the "Story," line, Mack 10 recreates the N.W.A classic, "Dopeman."
Of course the suit has been tailored to fit one Mack 10. Alongside the classic revision, Mack also empowers the new generation of gangsta rap lovers with the second blow from the one-two punch, "What You Need (Dopeman '97)."
Just like hip hop, if ballin' -big bank, fly gear, and fast women-were a lifestyle, then Mack 10 epitomizes the top shelf. To that end, Mack 10's Based On A True Story, just his second album, is expressing not only his personal growth as an individual but also his expanded talent as a rapper. "I was a student of rap music before I even considered becoming an
artist," Mack says matter-of-factly. "This music has been the closest I've ever come to reading a book about the type of life I've lived. That's why I titled the album, `Based On A True Story.'" Mack expands on this point: "I think since I've gained notoriety as an artist I've found myself willing to handle my business on a different level than ever before,
and inside I feel like every young Black male should have this advantage. My music and stories on this album don't stray far from what made me but I can also see the lighter side of living a hard life. But I never forget the things that are important to the same people that live the way I've lived." The type of life Mack 10 is referring to is that of a struggle
and determination to go past pre-conceived limitations imposed by his skin color or level of education, as most young Black males endure, especially those who have come of age during the 80's and 90's.
Debuting in 1995 on his self-titled album, Mack 10, that dawned the smash single "Foe Life," Mack 10 has progressively built a one-man enterprise. Virtually shaking his "newcomer" jacket by the time his debut album was certified gold, without a pause Mack-Dime (as he is known inside his Westside circle) kept his grind in motion, following his gold album with a
radio-only single, "Hoo-Bangin'," from "The Substitute" soundtrack. "Hoo-Bangin'" was the only release from the soundtrack; however, it was never released as a single for sale in stores. Instead, the soundtrack was released and sold over 300,000 copies. While "Hoo-Bangin'" was busy heating up the airwaves, so, too, was Mack 10 busy heating up the studio. The next
time we heard Mack 10 was for a collaboration with Dat Nigga Daz and Kurupt Tha Kingpin, a.k.a. Tha Dogg Pound, for yet another smash single release, "Nothin' But The Cavi Hits," which was released on the "Rhyme or Reason" soundtrack, also on PRIORITY Records. Nevertheless, these two rap radio classics made the name Mack 10 synonymous with the word "hits."
Needless to say, Mack 10 had entered the game a virtual new-jack without any stripes and since the time of his memorable appearance in his "crimey" Ice Cube's video, "What Can I Do?", on to invitations from rap's hierarchy such as E-40 for appearances and duets, Mack 10 found his niche as a rap impresario. Mack 10 has lived his life in the fast-lane without much fanfare,
but while most artists are struggling to derive a steady income from this genre of music, there is a Mack 10, one who comes along and makes it all look so easy. "Little do they know," says Mack. "Sometimes all I'm able to do is live, breathe and eat rap music. The funny thing is I've gotten to a point that I don't listen to too many rap songs."
Following the successful string of chart-topping single releases, Mack 10 joined in on putting yet another twist in the game, The Westside Connection. Accompanied by label-mate and mentor Ice Cube and rap cohort WC, this powerhouse trio proceeded to release one of the most talked about rap albums of the decade. The mere mention of the Westside Connection in certain
circles caused debate at best and controversy for sure. The album, Bow Down, was preceded by solo releases from WC and the Maad Circle, Curb Servin', which featured the single "West Up;" and the Mack 10 album which featured the single, "Westside Slaughterhouse." Both records served to wave a high-sign to gansta rap and to acknowledge the West Coast specifically, but
was more perceived as a direct dis toward their East Coast counterparts. Whatever the perception was, The Westside Connection came to set the record straight, as it were. But for the commercial press, the song titles were left to speak for themselves rather than any actual words being heard. The album is currently platinum-plus and still selling. The so-called "beef"
spoken of in the records, such as "All The Critics" and "King Of The Hill," have been debated, combated and, in specific regards to Cypress Hill, Kam and Common (formerly Common Sense), squashed. "The Connection was formed to do one thing: Put West Coast rap on the map once and for all. We felt like we (gansta rap artists) had been dissed by certain artists and groups
and most importantly by the rap media." Mack continues, "West Coast artists always received the most critical reviews, the least amount of respect and always the most flack about our records." With his voice rising, he continued: "So, Cube, got us, me and Dub, together to really address all of these issues in the biggest way possible. And we did that." Then Mack's demeanor shifts to confidence as he closes with a grin. "There's at least two million people that see that album as important."
As if you didn't believe he had time to do anything else, not only has Mack come a long way as an artist, he's also risen in the ranks of entrepreneurial status. In 1996, MACK ONE-O Productions became official. He penned two important deals in the continuing string of Westside Connecting. First, Allfrumtha-I, a duo, featuring Squeek-Ru and Binky, who will release their
debut album on Priority in '98. The Comrads, the second group signed to One-O Productions, is another duo that features Gangsta and K-Mac. The Comrads have already released their debut album on Street Life/Scotti Bros. and so far have spawned at least one heavyweight single, "Homeboys." "`Homeboys'" is also their debut single," Mack adds, "for the record." You may recall
both groups debuted on the Westside Connection's album, the single titled, "Hoo-Bangin' WSCG Style," and the remix of Mack 10's original, "Hoo-Bangin'." Mack 10 is still handling his b-i(sness), continuing the string with his newel formed HOO-BANGIN' Records distributed through PRIORITY Records, as well as his and Cube's up and running Westsiiiiide Design, which is a full-service graphic company.
Fast-forwarding through some three years of building, Mack 10 is proud to present his sophomore effort, Based On A True Story. "This is the album that certifies me as an artist," Mack says assuredly. The album, as the title suggests, is not the normal "reporter from the hood" anecdote but rather an extremist argument for the "been there, done that" naysayers about gangsta rap.
"Based On A True Story" is far from dead. Interestingly, Mack takes precise steps in revitalizing some hip hop staples. "Roxanne, Roxanne" has been tricked and lowered (low rider lingo for fixed up and bass added) only to change the title to "Mack 10, Mack 10," using both his groups, Allfrumtha-I and The Comrads, for convincing ol' school word-play. The first single, "Backyard
Boogie," expresses Mack's desire to see everyone rise and enjoy the fruits, if only for a day. Taking us all on a journey to the high-life, "Backyard Boogie" delivers the easy-going atmosphere from rhyme to chorus to break...The single also furthers the notion of both Crips and Bloods finding a common ground through entertainment. And the "...Story" doesn't stop there. "Can't
Stop," featuring E-40, which was also released by Priority Records on the Ant Banks compilation, Big Thangs, still remains a stand-out favorite of Mack's. As he tells it, "When Ant Beezie (ebonics for Ant Banks) first asked me to collaborate with Forty-water, I was like, `Whoa,' but then I realized I was gonna get a chance to shine with someone I really respected in this game.
See, Cube helped me shake the idea of being a guppie a long while back, but I never thought I'd be rappin' with the likes of Forty or even Tha Dogg Pound for that matter."
With "Guppies" being said, Mack 10 teams up once again with his label-mate and longtime friend Ice Cube to put together "The Guppies," touching upon the "new-jack" status of wannabe paper-chasers who can't really compete at the level these two are on at this point. Also, as rappers do-represent-Mack delivers "Inglewood Swangin'" with the pride of our nation's anthem. Looping
(and tricking) the Kool and the Gang classic, "Hollywood Swangin'," Mack 10 delves into his hometeam anthem with a veteran's spirit and, I'm sure, a hero's welcome. To further complement the "...Story" line, Mack 10 also re-creates the N.W.A classic, "Dopeman." Of course, the suit has been tailored to fit one Mack 10. Even more, alongside the classic revision Mack also empowers
the new generation of gangsta rap lovers with the second blow from the one-two punch, "What You Need (Dopeman '97)."
Before the "Based On A True Story" book closes, Ice Cube and Snoop Doggy Dogg aid Mack in rounding out a "platinum only" for fun track, "Only In California." Finally, when you're absolutely convinced Mack 10 has pulled out all the stops, he reinvents himself and presents the album's title track, "Based On A True Story." The story itself submerges the preconceived depth of Mack 10 even
further and takes on a delivery that encapsulates everything he has learned in the last few years and, from start to finish, you find yourself re-reading the best-seller by Mack 10, Based On A True Story.
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