Mack Wilds is a new young artist from the Big Apple ready to let his voice be heard by the masses. Fresh-faced and familiar this young singer-rapper is caught in a love affair with his city and his wants everyone to know about it. Tristan “Mack” Wilds joins the long list of actors turned music makers. Not to be confused with Drake, this child star was never in a wheelchair. Instead, his character “Michael” on the legendary HBO show “The Wire” sold drugs to provide for his little brother.
Luckily for the listeners, his music seems to be staying far away from the cliché drug-rap-gimmick and instead focuses on more relatable topics like love and relationships. The video for his lead single “Own It” features classic New York elements like graffiti and dancing in the street. It also features the artist in various scenes, one in particular show him on a rooftop, in a sleeveless shirt that may conjure images of a young LL Cool J. There is no doubt that Mack Wilds is attempting to make the ladies love him. The song itself is about his need to share his love with someone and live life as if they “own” the city.
Mack Wilds influences include Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, JAY Z and Nas. His sound will straddle the line between Hip-Hop and R&B, and that’s usually a formula for success. Luckily, he has historic hit-makers at his helm. Grammy-nominated producer Salaam Remi who has worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Usher and Miguel just to name a few, has started his own label Re Mi Fa / Louder Than Life and signed Mack Wilds as his first solo act. Music superstar Ne-Yo also has his hand in this project as co-writer and co-producer of the lead single “Own It”.
The transition from actor to musician is never easy for anyone. For every Will Smith, there is at least two Eddie Murphy’s. Hopefully, Mack Wild will take a cue from the greatest actor turned musician we’ve seen so far; Drake, and make honest music that is more about quality than quantity.
For more Mack Wilds, just click here.
