The Interview: Macs

​AUTHOR: JUSTIN GROME

Stream Macs' Halloween EP titled "Two Faced" below:

We had a chance to talk to Clonefluence's artist Macs and ask him how the music scene was around him. Specifically asking questions like what brought him to where he is today within music and even outside of it to shape the person that he is today. He began to explain where he first discovered his passion for music, his overall message to everyone who listens and supports, how long his music career has been going on for, and bright plans for the future.
​

• Where are you from? Have your surroundings shaped you in a creative sense, and in what way?
I’ve lived in a couple different towns just north of Boston, but the town I grew up in was Newburyport, MA. It’s a very touristy area, but I always found a way around that. The kids I  went to school with were very preppy and proper in the sense that they were almost sheltered from the world. I did whatever I could do to break free from that. I always wanted to see the world for what it truly was. I wanted the good, bad, and the ugly. This made me push my limits and do things the kids around me wouldn’t usually do, and in turn this tended to put me in situations that I probably shouldn’t have been in.


• What’s your background like? Where do you stand on the music scene in your area?
I had a very tight knit group of friends and we were easily the most reckless kids in town. There are so many nights that I’ll never forget. As for my family, my parents were always very supportive, but at the same time I was always in caught a stressful and just generally hostile home. I had to go through so many things that a child should never have to go through, but it made me who I am today.
As for the music scene in my area, I wish there was more of it. You see Atlanta popping off, you see Cali, you see NYC, but nobody talks about Boston. We are definitely putting in work though. You see people like Cousin Stizz killing it out here, and he’s really repping Boston heavy. I remember watching that ‘No Bells’ music video and saying damn, thats my city. We need more of that.


• What did you start doing first, producing or rapping? How did you get started?
I started rapping with my buddies about 7 years ago around the age of 13. I remember getting high off our asses and someone throwing on a RZA or Nas beat and we would go around and freestyle. I was trash. As we got older, my buddy Alex and I would sit in my room and bump an instrumental on repeat and we would sit there and write for hours. Eventually one of us would speak up and be like, I got something. Then we would spit back and forth and talk about how dope we were. I wasn’t that good, but Alex was actually talented. I took it as a challenge to be better than him, and I’m excited to say he’s featured on the next project.


• Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor? How has their help or advice shaped you?
I never really had a mentor, but I’ve had so many people come in and out of my life that have changed the way I think. I take every interaction with someone as a chance to see the world through a different set of eyes.
I’m very observant nowadays, always trying to figure everything out, and always looking for things hiding in plain sight. There are some people who I've only spend an hour with, but I’ll remember them for the rest of my life.


• What is one experience in life that, without it, you wouldn’t be the artist you are today?
Two things. First, my Mom getting admitted to a memory care facility, and second, going to rehab.


• What do you hope to accomplish this year?
I want fans that say, “damn, I can’t wait for Macs to drop this next project.”. I can’t keep doing the same thing every day, and I’m working as hard as I can to break free from this regular day to day life style.


• What does your work aim to say?
I just want people to be themselves. I express myself in any way I can, and I’m not scared to talk about things most people wouldn’t touch. I’ve been through a lot and it would be easy for me to lay down and give up but theres so much more in life to do. I don’t intend to slow down anytime soon.


• Who are your biggest influences and what do you like about them the most?
When I was younger my dad had the Marshall Mathers LP, and we used to play it all the time. I love how Em was always so blunt and couldn’t care less about what you thought. Now you can catch me listening to J.I.D, Chris Webby, Jay Rock, 6lack, Kendrick, Flatbush, everyone rolling with Hopsin, and the whole Strange Music label.


• How would you describe your own style?
I feel like I have the ability to go off on some crazy Jarren Benton shit, then still be able to drop a record about my Mom the next day. My mind is not exactly what you would call normal. I’ll be writing bars about burning down a Krispy Kreme on some Ronny J beat one minute then the next you'll catch me singing along to Frank Ocean. I just write whatever I’m thinking about and try to turn it into something you’ve never heard before.


• In what ways has your newest music changed from when you first started?
I used to be ridiculously monotone and only use basic rhyme schemes and flows. Now you’ll hear me bring out some weird ass voice and hit flows that I haven’t ever heard before. My buddies will hit me up and be like, bruh how did you come up with this shit!?


• What are the main inspirations for the lyrics you write?
To put it simply, my life. Everything I write can translate to something I’ve been through in some shape or form.


• What would be your dream venue in which to perform?
I know its not a big venue, but House of Blues in Boston. I grew up going to shows there, and I always dreamed I would be on that stage. It would feel so good to see a crowd full of people from where I live coming to see me preform. That’s the dream.

​
• What’s a song you have stuck in your head these days?
Bruuuh by J.I.D. That song just goes off, period.

REACH MACS HERE: