Malcolm DeWayne

Name change alert! You guys remember Mac L, aka Mac Lethal, aka Mac tha Knife, right? Backpacker dude that dropped a couple of quality tapes about four years ago and then kinda disappeared? Well, he's back and going by his government name, Malcolm DeWayne — a wise decision, as it seems we've hit peak rap-name saturation — and he's dropping that incisive, erudite hotness. It's nice to have him back. - Nashville Scene

Luckily they let one of our favorite local rappers, Mac the Knife, drop a beat and actually throw down some nice rhymes. Remember those shining moments we talked about? Those all belonged to Mac, and when he masters breath control he will be a force to be reckoned with, mark our words. - Nashville Scene

Luckily they let one of our favorite local rappers, Mac the Knife, drop a beat and actually throw down some nice rhymes. Remember those shining moments we talked about? Those all belonged to Mac, and when he masters breath control he will be a force to be reckoned with, mark our words. - Nashville Scene

Up next was Mac L — aka Mickey Luciano and/or Mac the Knife — who we've been following off and on for a few years now. We still maintain that he sounds best when he's fast-rapping, but his flow has matured, tightened up and generally just gotten better over the years, growing into the '90s underground-style flow he's long been refining. Mac really hit his stride when he was joined by the evening's closer, Prophicy, for a brief set of tandem raps. The Spin is more than willing to date ourselves by mentioning that the first rap record we ever owned was Run DMC's Raising Hell, and we are not afraid to admit that we love nothing more than rap duos throwing down tag-team style like The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. We're old-school like that. - Nashville Cream

Growing up in the 90's was a special time for my generation. We caught the ending of what was always known, and saw the beginning of what was to come. Technology began taking over the world, toys became more electronic, and the line of sensory became blurred throughout the press.

Mac L reminisces on his childhood while listing off things that many of us can recall. From cartoons to our favorite toys, this track definitely hit home. Inspired by Ahmad‘s classic Back In The Day, Mac L took the idea and made it his own. - Your Strongest Ally

Mac L's new tape Raw Material is a banger, hemming closely to the classic backpack sound. He's got a flow that reminds me of the first Showbiz & AG record. I mean, it's not S&AG, but it's got that classic NYC underground feel. - Nashville Cream

Mac L's new tape Raw Material is a banger, hemming closely to the classic backpack sound. He's got a flow that reminds me of the first Showbiz & AG record. I mean, it's not S&AG, but it's got that classic NYC underground feel. - Nashville Cream

Nashville, TN emcee Mac L returns with his sophomore mixtape Raw Material. The long delayed project finally hits the circuit after technical complications, name changes, production readjustments and more. We’re glad this record finally gets to see the light of day. For those missing real lyricism over dope beats, this is a must listen. Mac is very much a a modern traditionalist of an emcee that takes on plenty of ambitious beats on this project such as classics by Nujabes, DJ Premier, Madlib and more. Even B2P regular Jonathan Lowell provides production credits. Once again, do not sleep on the South and be on the lookout for more activity from the Nashvillain. - Back 2 Pluto

Nashville, TN emcee Mac L returns with his sophomore mixtape Raw Material. The long delayed project finally hits the circuit after technical complications, name changes, production readjustments and more. We’re glad this record finally gets to see the light of day. For those missing real lyricism over dope beats, this is a must listen. Mac is very much a a modern traditionalist of an emcee that takes on plenty of ambitious beats on this project such as classics by Nujabes, DJ Premier, Madlib and more. Even B2P regular Jonathan Lowell provides production credits. Once again, do not sleep on the South and be on the lookout for more activity from the Nashvillain. - Back 2 Pluto

We have been waiting now the Raw project is here! Mac L refers to the mixtape as "a small glimpse of where I come from". Hit the jump for the track list and download, enjoy! - 1 Hip-Hop Blog

We have been waiting now the Raw project is here! Mac L refers to the mixtape as "a small glimpse of where I come from". Hit the jump for the track list and download, enjoy! - 1 Hip-Hop Blog

It was just about 10 months ago that I first met Mac L. In a number of ways the cocksure MC served as my introduction to a side of Nashville that I didn’t know much about when first moving here, and certainly a sector that isn’t entirely visible unless you’re actively looking for it: the rap and hip hop community. The night we met we talked at length about the issues facing young artists in Music City, discussing in detail the lack of cohesion between contemporaries and other factors cramping development such as scarcity of live venues in the city that are open to “urban” acts and general disinterest from the media. I was a bit taken back by the reality that Mac painted for me that night and here it is, 10 months later, and I still don’t know what to make of this city. Sure, Nashville faces issues that strike every city, regardless of location, concerning the nurturing of local artists, but Nashville also has a few of its own problems that are more specific to its community that I’m still trying to figure out.

The main purpose of this article is to document and celebrate something Mac’s accomplished in the time since I first met him. To put it bluntly, I probably wouldn’t be posting this if I hadn’t told Mac many months ago that I’d help “sponsor” his mixtape (I’ve not really been blogging about much of anything lately). As time passed I about forgot my promise, but I figured why not – Mac’s my friend. This isn’t to say that his new mixtape, Raw Material, doesn’t deserve recognition however. It’s an interesting album in that it identifies a young lyricist in transition, slowly growing into the realities of the modern political and economic landscape, slowly identifying his changing perception of the country, slowly finding his place. One of the things that Mac isn’t slow to, however, is announcing his own importance as an artist, nor is he slow to suggest that his future will be anything less than successful. As irritating as his self-assured chest beating might be at times, which he does no more or less than any other MC who’s trying to gain attention, I admire Mac’s persistance – he isn’t about to let anyone tell him that he isn’t as good as he thinks he is.

A free download of the entire album is available below, and for those interested in learning a bit more about Mac there’s also a brief Q&A with him that touches on his future in the city, whether or not he’s calling it quits after this release, and why he feels that there is “no one else who makes music like me” (there’s also this interview with him from this past January). The bottom line is that Mac might not be every bit as phenomenal as he feels he is (yet?), but I’m still comfortable standing behind Raw Material and putting my name on it because it just so happens to be that in addition to being my friend, he’s also one of the select Nashvillian MCs whose work I actually enjoy. It’s my hope, as I’m sure it is Mac’s, that you too enjoy what he’s put together here. Cheers.
- Culture Bully

It was just about 10 months ago that I first met Mac L. In a number of ways the cocksure MC served as my introduction to a side of Nashville that I didn’t know much about when first moving here, and certainly a sector that isn’t entirely visible unless you’re actively looking for it: the rap and hip hop community. The night we met we talked at length about the issues facing young artists in Music City, discussing in detail the lack of cohesion between contemporaries and other factors cramping development such as scarcity of live venues in the city that are open to “urban” acts and general disinterest from the media. I was a bit taken back by the reality that Mac painted for me that night and here it is, 10 months later, and I still don’t know what to make of this city. Sure, Nashville faces issues that strike every city, regardless of location, concerning the nurturing of local artists, but Nashville also has a few of its own problems that are more specific to its community that I’m still trying to figure out.

The main purpose of this article is to document and celebrate something Mac’s accomplished in the time since I first met him. To put it bluntly, I probably wouldn’t be posting this if I hadn’t told Mac many months ago that I’d help “sponsor” his mixtape (I’ve not really been blogging about much of anything lately). As time passed I about forgot my promise, but I figured why not – Mac’s my friend. This isn’t to say that his new mixtape, Raw Material, doesn’t deserve recognition however. It’s an interesting album in that it identifies a young lyricist in transition, slowly growing into the realities of the modern political and economic landscape, slowly identifying his changing perception of the country, slowly finding his place. One of the things that Mac isn’t slow to, however, is announcing his own importance as an artist, nor is he slow to suggest that his future will be anything less than successful. As irritating as his self-assured chest beating might be at times, which he does no more or less than any other MC who’s trying to gain attention, I admire Mac’s persistance – he isn’t about to let anyone tell him that he isn’t as good as he thinks he is.

A free download of the entire album is available below, and for those interested in learning a bit more about Mac there’s also a brief Q&A with him that touches on his future in the city, whether or not he’s calling it quits after this release, and why he feels that there is “no one else who makes music like me” (there’s also this interview with him from this past January). The bottom line is that Mac might not be every bit as phenomenal as he feels he is (yet?), but I’m still comfortable standing behind Raw Material and putting my name on it because it just so happens to be that in addition to being my friend, he’s also one of the select Nashvillian MCs whose work I actually enjoy. It’s my hope, as I’m sure it is Mac’s, that you too enjoy what he’s put together here. Cheers.
- Culture Bully

During my time creating this site for a little over a year now I haven’t run into many underground artists out of Tennessee. So it’s good now to have Mac L on the radar. Raw Material is a sick full length and as I’ve said before with this guy, he doesn’t lack content in his tracks. All of them discuss issues in either his life or those around us.

Too Sick: “Circulate” | “Breathe” | “Sooner Or Later” | “You Don’t Hear Me”

So Sick: “Overdose” | “Letter To The President” | “Wildstyle” | “In The Mood” | “Back In The Day” | “Walkin’ Out”

Sick: “Coordinates” | “Raw Material” | “Mac Is Back” | “The Art Of War” | “40 Blades” | “Excursions 2011? | “Hoodgrown” | “Sooner Or Later Remix”

I’ll start off with “Circulate” which is my favorite on here. I’ve heard people tackle this beat before, but Mac L has the best version of them all. “You Don’t Hear Me” was leaked about a month ago. He tackles a lot of social issues on it, basically showing how fake a lot of things really are. Similarly, on “Overdose” he moves his cross-hairs to the music industry where once again he shows how lame a lot of rappers are today. The song “Breathe” is one many people can relate to. He airs out his frustration of spending four years grinding in college only to graduate and not be able to find a job. This seems to have become the trend now for college graduates in our nation. I, myself am one of them. While all these tracks address current issues he then turns around on “Back In The Day” to reminisce about how things used to be. Lastly, he shows off a strong old school type sound on “Sooner Or Later”.

He refers to the tape as “a small glimpse of where I come from”, referring to being heavily influenced by East Coast Hip-Hop. “Raw Material is me in my purest form. When you break down how certain products are made, you have the raw materials, which are the main materials used to create that product. That’s what this mixtape is.”

I strongly agree that he embraced the East Coast Hip-Hop sound with this. It’s a strong lyrical project with important content related to the streets. My only complaint would likely be that the songs are a bit short, rarely going over the 3 minute mark. Give them all a listen below. It’s a ‘name your price’ download so do just that, feel free to support Mac L by entering a dollar amount. - Too Sick Muzik

During my time creating this site for a little over a year now I haven’t run into many underground artists out of Tennessee. So it’s good now to have Mac L on the radar. Raw Material is a sick full length and as I’ve said before with this guy, he doesn’t lack content in his tracks. All of them discuss issues in either his life or those around us.

Too Sick: “Circulate” | “Breathe” | “Sooner Or Later” | “You Don’t Hear Me”

So Sick: “Overdose” | “Letter To The President” | “Wildstyle” | “In The Mood” | “Back In The Day” | “Walkin’ Out”

Sick: “Coordinates” | “Raw Material” | “Mac Is Back” | “The Art Of War” | “40 Blades” | “Excursions 2011? | “Hoodgrown” | “Sooner Or Later Remix”

I’ll start off with “Circulate” which is my favorite on here. I’ve heard people tackle this beat before, but Mac L has the best version of them all. “You Don’t Hear Me” was leaked about a month ago. He tackles a lot of social issues on it, basically showing how fake a lot of things really are. Similarly, on “Overdose” he moves his cross-hairs to the music industry where once again he shows how lame a lot of rappers are today. The song “Breathe” is one many people can relate to. He airs out his frustration of spending four years grinding in college only to graduate and not be able to find a job. This seems to have become the trend now for college graduates in our nation. I, myself am one of them. While all these tracks address current issues he then turns around on “Back In The Day” to reminisce about how things used to be. Lastly, he shows off a strong old school type sound on “Sooner Or Later”.

He refers to the tape as “a small glimpse of where I come from”, referring to being heavily influenced by East Coast Hip-Hop. “Raw Material is me in my purest form. When you break down how certain products are made, you have the raw materials, which are the main materials used to create that product. That’s what this mixtape is.”

I strongly agree that he embraced the East Coast Hip-Hop sound with this. It’s a strong lyrical project with important content related to the streets. My only complaint would likely be that the songs are a bit short, rarely going over the 3 minute mark. Give them all a listen below. It’s a ‘name your price’ download so do just that, feel free to support Mac L by entering a dollar amount. - Too Sick Muzik

Another DOPE submission. This tape comes from Nashville TN. Mac L definitely impressed us with this tape. I suggest you hit that jump if you know whats good for you. Kudos Mac. - CSNW

Another DOPE submission. This tape comes from Nashville TN. Mac L definitely impressed us with this tape. I suggest you hit that jump if you know whats good for you. Kudos Mac. - CSNW

Been looking forward to this project. Should be a good listen. - The Tape Deck

Been looking forward to this project. Should be a good listen. - The Tape Deck

Last but not least, we must show love to Nashville artist, Mac L. Recently unleashing his latest project, Raw Material, Mac L continues to grind out through his music. Catchy punchlines, old school beats, and all around quality production are all included on this project. A few of our favorite tracks are Coordinates, Overdose, Mac Is Back, and 40 Acres and a Deal. - 2L's On a Cloud

Last but not least, we must show love to Nashville artist, Mac L. Recently unleashing his latest project, Raw Material, Mac L continues to grind out through his music. Catchy punchlines, old school beats, and all around quality production are all included on this project. A few of our favorite tracks are Coordinates, Overdose, Mac Is Back, and 40 Acres and a Deal. - 2L's On a Cloud

Alright ya'll, time to introduce you to someone you're going to be hearing a lot of fire from in the very near future. My dude Mac L is an upcoming rapper from Nashville, TN who submitted his music to me. Now, I'm not usually a southern rap kind of guy, but as soon as I listened to the two cuts he sent I knew I had hit something special. He's smart and witty, and his lyrical content and his view of his music and the business as a whole reflects his education and the way he truly uses hip-hop as his craft. As an artist. The two cuts I've shared here will be on his upcoming mixtape, titled Raw Material. - Hip-Hop Reviewz

I have to admit that I usually don’t like it when rappers try to do their own thing over a released track but I’m digging this. I like it mostly in part because what he’s saying is so simple and honest and he’s not “trying” to emulate Kanye like most people have done over this beat. - Theory of Culture

I have to admit that I usually don’t like it when rappers try to do their own thing over a released track but I’m digging this. I like it mostly in part because what he’s saying is so simple and honest and he’s not “trying” to emulate Kanye like most people have done over this beat. - Theory of Culture

Despite still only being in his early 20s, Malcolm Lockridge has had plenty of time to gauge where he stands amongst Nashville’s hip hop community; where he stands and what he stands for. Growing up in a rough neighborhood has helped guide him toward who he has become, certainly instilling in him the idea that he needed to brand himself to reflect a tougher image (Mac’s stage name has evolved from the harder sounding Mac tha Ripper—which he used as a college DJ—and later Mac tha Knife), but in speaking to Mac he makes no bones about not wanting to promote an image that isn’t indicative of where he’s at in this stage of his life. He recognizes his upbringing as a chapter from his past, but also feels as though it would be unfair to front as though that image was still a reality as he moves on with his life; something many MCs struggle with as they evolve as not only artists, but people. Now having graduated college, Mac explained how the move to change his name once again was motivated to reflect a “more professional” version of himself; but all that assuming the modest stage name of Mac L really does is go to further suggest the MC’s willingness to be upfront about who he his and what he’s about right now.

Earlier this month Mac performed on a bill ringing in the new year at the grand opening of the recently rebranded Epic 9 (formerly Avenue 9). Following a performance by Tasha T—an uneven set that still inspired a solid reaction from the modest crowd—Mac quietly took to the stage and rolled through a half dozen songs. Despite his confident presence however, the already scattered audience appeared to take an unannounced intermission from partying by the stage and slowly cleared out over the course of the MC’s set. Watching the performance, it became immediately clear that the setting wasn’t optimal for Mac’s brand of lyrically focused rap. But he rolled on. Opening with “Music City,” a song unfortunately heavily influenced by crowd interaction, Mac persisted, determined to do shrug off the awkward light show and clubgoers’ dwindling interest. As the performance went on though, Epic 9's off stage hype-man perked up and chimed in, eventually barking the clichéd “this is real hip hop” chant; in this case however, he wasn’t simply bullshitting to stir things up. In the face of a disinterested audience, now only waiting for the next Waka Flocka track to overtake the dance floor, Mac remained confident and established his voice amongst the chaos.

The MC might not fit in when considering Southern Hip Hop as a brand, but Mac fits like a glove when considering that he’s inspired by a sense of community that the south is largely known for. It’s unfortunate though that the rap scene in Nashville is, at least on the surface, about as divided as his reception at Epic 9 might suggest. This isn’t meant to push the man as some messianic hope to change things in the country-music capital of the world, but Mac has a bigger picture in mind and is excited to see whether or not the city’s scene can grow into a full-fledged movement. Whatever you think of his music, you have to give it up to him for pressing on with such faith and determination despite being in such a minority. Recently Mac and I touched base, discussing this conflict, his upcoming album, Raw Material, and the local artists who he feels are some of Nashville’s finest.

——————————————————————————————————

Chris DeLine: This isn’t meant to incite a shit-talking session or anything like that, rather I’d like to work on building on the positives. In 2009 you wrote a post on your blog that read, “Nashville is notorious for its crab mentality. Nobody wants to work together. There’s alot [sic] of hate in the city. There are too many cliques that call themselves movements, and they stand for nothing. It’s really disturbing.” Do you feel that Nashville has enough talent to develop into a hotspot on the national scene? If so—in relation to the points you made a few years back—what do you think Nashville artists have to do to start heading in that direction?

Mac L: Nashville has more than enough potential. The problem is people are either too afraid or too stuck in their ways. When we start working together and start going outside our comfort zones, I think that’ll start a great change. We also need to start being professional and stop trying to continue the “hood” mentality. Don’t get me wrong. I’m from the hood. I left the hood.

CD: Why do you think MCs in Nashville have come to the point where they are only looking out for themselves like you’re saying? Elsewhere the saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” applies in many cases, and you’ll have whole communities working together to reach their individual goals. What is it here that isn’t working?

ML: That can really be applied to life. I say it is experience (or lack thereof) that makes people want to fly solo. What is also hurting us is that everyone wants to be the star. Everyone wants to be Kobe [or - Culture Bully

This Summer is going to be filled with incredible music releases. One of them will be the B2P-hosted Raw Material mixtape by Nashville’s Mac L (formerly known as Mac tha Knife). This is the thunderous title track off the project. Notice how this doesn’t sound anything like the usual southern aesthetic. Complete with one of the most banging piano samples I’ve ever heard, Mac goes for the jugular. Guess what? This is only the intro track. We’ll keep you updated with the progress of Raw Material. - Back 2 Pluto

Believe it or not, Nashville is home to a huge underground Hip-Hop scene. There are dozens of artist who, although generally shielded from the more ‘mainstream’ music industry, none the less are striving to have their voices heard.

One of the more vocal and talented of these artist is Mac tha Knife - a crazy talented rapper living in Murfreesboro and attending MTSU. Mac tha Knife’s “Music City” is the best take on this town, and the music industry, that I’ve heard.

Half freestyle, half written, and all skilled, in “Music City” Mac takes you on a trip around the whole city. Each hood is represented, and it tells it like it really is out on the streets – but remains positive and without the normal stereotypes you typically think of when you hear hip-hop/rap. No foul or offensive language – just intelligent lyrics – which is the most difficult hip-hop to do (most anyone can throw a negative rap together in order to assert their ‘cred’ – but it’s much, much harder to remain intelligent, whitty, and positive).

“I don’t what you been told but the steets are grimey -if you’re on tha wrong side of town you may end up dying – but tha hood ain’t all guns and crack – we in tha streets but there’s more than one way to make a couple of stacks… “

Which means all roads lead to Music Row:

“They call it music city but all you see is Gospel, Country, and Rock, like they only can prosper – but still we got Hip-Hop, rb and jazz – any other kind of music you can name is what we have…”

Mac tha Knife has been working the streets in feestyle battles since turning 14. When he turned 17 he released his first mixtape “The Great Paper Chase”. Since then his stature has grown and he was a featured artist in Cricket’s Nashville Music Showcase.

Mac has his own publishing company Fresh City Publishing and is a member of SESAC. He’s currently working with other Nashville artist KDV and J. Roca as a member of the group Fresh City, is a member of another group based in Murfreesboro named Soundmind Productions, and he’s also part of a supergroup – a collective named The Family.

It’s not a stretch for me to believe that Mac tha Knife is going to have a positive influence on Nashville – and especially the hip-hop/rap scene. He’s driven by a passion for what he does (don’t let the title of his mixtape fool you) and the impact he knows he has the ability to create – even as he creates it. Nashville, just like life, is an up and down adventure – good times and bad – but I really do believe that anyone can create a better life for themselves by living a better life (intelligently) and being a positive influence. And in living that better life, they can make life better for everyone around them (make them step up their game so to speak). Mac tha Knife is a leader that’s set to take the Nashville music establishment on and take it to greater heights. In the next couple of years, if he continues to work as hard as he’s working he might even become Nashville’s first Hip-Hop mogul – and the industry will be better as a result.

So will Nashville. - Nashville Hype