Mack 10 Takes A Chronic Vacation: Exclusive Interview

[Lunatic]

http://chronicvacation.com/2009/07/mack-10-takes-a-chronic-vacation-exclusive-interview/

Chronic Vacation staff writer Justin “Lunatic” Melo caught up with West Coast legend Mack 10 for an exclusive interview earlier this morning.  In this article, you’ll get to hear all about Mack’s new album “Soft White,” which he promises is Mack 10 at his rawest and dopest form.  You’ll also hear about Mack’s relationship with Glasses Malone, the possibility (or non-possibility) of a Westside Connection reunion, and much more.  Let’s get it!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MACK 10 (JULY ‘09)
Interview by Justin “Lunatic” Melo

CV.com: We got Mack 10 on ChronicVacation.com! How you doing Mack?

Mack 10: Oh I’m good man, I can’t complain. I’m having fun.

CV.com: it’s been nearly four years since you put out “Hustlaz Handbook.” How does it feel to finally be returning with a new record?

Mack 10: It feels good. I feel rejuvenated. I feel well rested and I feel like I have my second wind, you feel what I’m saying? It’s time to go. I’m in the booth. I had a lot of fun doing this project. I’m happy and can’t complain at all.

CV.com: Let our readers know what the release date for the project is.

Mack 10: It may be the first week in September; if it’s not August 25th. It may be a week push back. I think we’re coming the first week of September.

CV.com: Why did you title it “Soft White?”

Mack 10: “Soft White” is raw and uncut dope. It’s soft white when it’s raw and uncut. Right now that’s what I am.  I’m raw and uncut. I’m giving it to them the way my fans want it, raw and uncut. I’m just being Mack 10 right now. I’m just being me.

CV.com: Tell us about the label deal that you completed to distribute the album.

Mack 10: I have distribution through Fontana. To me, they’re the best when it comes to the independent game. I was fortunate enough that they wanted to do business with me. I gladly took advantage of that opportunity and did a deal with them.

CV.com: It’s your ninth studio album. You’re approaching double digits when it comes to solo records. How does that feel when you take a minute to look back on your career?

Mack 10: When I take a minute to look back on my career and look how God has made a way for me to provide for my family and everything else, I feel blessed. I’m extremely happy about all of that. I don’t have any complaints.

CV.com: Let’s talk about the single “So Sharp” with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. First off, why did you specifically recruit Wayne & Ross to appear on the record?

Mack 10: Well Jim Jones was on it at first. Jim [Jones] is my homeboy and it’s all love between us. He was overseas when it was time to shoot the video. We had to lock Wayne down when we could get him because he is busy. I made a phone call to Ross because I had a version with him on it. I told Ross I wanted to shoot the video and it was all love, it wasn’t anything. It was all open arms. Ross and Wayne showed up like real players and we did it.

CV.com: Tell us about the music video. Where did you shoot that at?

Mack 10: We shot it in Malibu.

CV.com: You had to keep it West Coast, huh?

Mack 10: I had to. I had to bring them to my world and my side of town. We could have gone to Miami and did it or whatever, but I wanted to bring them to my world.

CV.com: The West Coast heads have to appreciate that.

Mack 10: Yeah. Plus Wayne & Ross are two of the biggest names in the game right now and they’re real good dudes. Wayne is like family to me. He is like my little nephew. That’s family to me for real. It’s all love.

CV.com: Was the video a fun process out there in Malibu?

Mack 10: Oh man, we had 800 girls in bikinis out there with us. Come on man!  What do you think? We had a lot of fun (laughs). Wait until you see the video.

CV.com: When can we expect the video to debut?

Mack 10: It should be online today. It should be on my website today, www.theofficialmack10.com. It should be up on there today. [Editor's note: We'll have the video available as soon as it's posted right here on Chronic Vacation]

CV.com: Perfect. You were talking about Lil Wayne. You were obviously rolling with Cash Money back in the day dropping one album on the label. It’s clear you’ve kind of rekindled or relit that relationship. What’s it like to be back with that camp?

Mack 10: There was nothing to rekindle.

CV.com: Bad choice of words. I know there weren’t any issues, but I mean you’re rolling with them stronger right now.  After the “Bang Or Ball” album came out, things slowed down.

Mack 10: Yeah, it’s just family thing. Cash Money, Baby, Slim, they’re really my guys. They are really like family to me, Wayne as well. It wasn’t about business or anything like that, it’s just love homie. It wasn’t anything. They’re always just a phone call away. And it’s the same with me, they know I’m a phone call away and it doesn’t matter.

CV.com: Does the original version of “So Sharp” with Jim Jones still appear on the album?

Mack 10: Yeah, I’m gonna put it on there.

CV.com: And the version with Rick Ross will also appear?

Mack 10: Exactly.

CV.com: Tell us about the additional guest appearances on the album.

Mack 10: I have a song called “It’s Your Life” with Anthony Hamilton. I have song that is going to be my next single called “Hood Famous” with J. Holiday. I have Birdman on “Big Baller.” I have Wayne and Ross. I have Jim Jones. I have a song called “Clack Clack” with me, Akon and Red Café. I’m just having fun right now dogg. I hope I’m not forgetting anybody.

CV.com: We’re going to get into a few of those features. A lot of those are new names that you’ve never worked with before such as J. Holiday and Akon. Did you want to try something new and fresh with this record?

Mack 10: Yeah and plus you have to roll with the times and stay current. That’s important. Anybody that is stubborn enough to think that what they were doing in the 90s or the early 2000s will fly in 2009 is silly. It just doesn’t go like that. You have to stay current and move with the times. I stay buying new cars and switching up body styles every time a new one comes out, so it’s the same way with my records. I have to stay current.

CV.com: And at the same time just by hearing some titles of the records,  “Hood Famous”, “Clack Clack” with some of those new guest appearances, it still sounds like something regular Mack 10 fans can enjoy and appreciate.

Mack 10: Oh you’re definitely going to appreciate it because it’s me.

CV.com: Yeah, it doesn’t sound like you stepped way out of your element.

Mack 10: I can’t step out of my element dogg; I only know how to do me. That’s why I named this album “Soft White.”  It’s just me - raw and uncut.

CV.com: The joint with Anthony Hamilton should be hot.  Any time we get to see Mack 10 hook up with singers of that caliber, it comes out classic - like “Money’s Just a Touch Away” with Gerald Levert. Tell us about this record you did with Anthony Hamilton.

Mack 10: That’s a special record. That’s a special one dogg. It’s really a special one. It can be an inspirational record for the kids. That’s a real special record right there. Everybody is going to like that record. Anthony [Hamilton] did his thing right there. And I did my thing, three hot verses and that hot hook. That’s going to a special one just like “Money’s Just a Touch Away” and “Testimony”, one of those special records and all that kind of stuff. That record will forever be a special Mack 10 record.

CV.com: Tell us about some of the producers you worked with.

Mack 10: I worked with Don Vito from Atlanta. He did “So Sharp.” I worked with Green Lantern; he did “Clack Clack” for me, Akon and Red Café. I worked with EP, Ervin Pope. Shit, who else produced on this record?  I can’t even think right. I worked with Mike City. He is a hell of an R&B producer and he did a song called “Street Shit” for me and Glasses [Malone.]  I worked with Dow Jones of The Bizness too.

CV.com: “Street Shit” is the record with yourself, Glasses and Butch Cassidy?

Mack 10: Yeah. That’s still on the album. That was like a leak record that turned into a classic leak record, you know what I’m saying? It was very well received.

CV.com: You said that you’ve been smiling all year and it’s clear you had a lot of fun making this record. What’s your overall demeanor like right now?

Mack 10: Happy. I’m happy and smiling. I’m looking like money. I don’t really have anything to complain about. I’ve been through a couple of things in my life over the last few years but I overcame everything and I’m standing tall in a great position. I don’t have a reason not to be smiling right now.

CV.com: On the lead single “So Sharp” you rap, “It’s millions every year if records drop or not,” so tell us about some of the other business ventures you have going on.

Mack 10: I’ve always been a good businessman. Hopefully I’ll one day make the mogul status when it comes to real estate. My real estate game has always been crazy. I’m trying to be a real estate mogul one day other than a music mogul. I wanna be a music mogul, a real estate mogul and a mogul in whatever venture I try my hand at, I want to be a mogul at it. I like to win. I’m a winner. I’ve positioned myself and have done a couple of things that turned out to be real good for me. It’s millions every year if records drop or not.

CV.com: Nate Dogg was on the lead single for your last album. He’s had a few unfortunate situations lately. Have you had a chance to speak with him?

Mack 10: No I haven’t. I’ve been checking on him on a regular basis. His family kind of has the situation real close right now. I haven’t had a chance to really speak to him.

CV.com: Everyone knows you have Glasses Malone signed to your Hoo-Bangin’ imprint. What is up next for Hoo-Bangin?

Mack 10: Glasses’s record is going to drop shortly before mine or shortly after mine. The next album will be a Mack and Malone album. It’s called “Money Music” and it’s Mack and Malone - a new group consisting of me and him. And then I have another record coming maybe the beginning or mid next year some time called “2000-1-0.” That’s my next solo record and it’s almost done. My next album is almost done.

CV.com: Damn, so you don’t plan on taking another 3-4 year break?

Mack 10: I can’t. I’m at it, both feet in. and you know when I’m at it and getting it, I’m really getting it. I’m not gonna let my foot up off the gas at all. I’m gonna keep my foot on the neck.

CV.com: What was it about G. Malone that made you want to work so closely with him? You’ve clearly taken a liking to him.

Mack 10: He reminded me a lot of myself. G [Malone] is a real genuine guy and you can tell that he is authentic. The shit he talks about is authentic. You can tell he’s been there and done that. He knows something about the shit he talks about. That’s what made the situation attractive to me. He reminded me a lot of myself. And G. Malone is here to stay. He won’t be a one hit wonder or anything like that. The Hip-Hop world will deal with him as long as he wants to do music.

CV.com: One thing all of the West Coast fans will always cherish closely is the Westside Connection. Have you bumped into Cube or WC at all and spoken lately?

Mack 10: Nah, not at all.

CV.com: Not at all? There is no opportunity to rekindle that?

Mack 10: I mean…I ain’t really tripping off it. I’ve been moving forward at such a fast pace, I’m in the fast lane again homie. When I’m in the fast lane, I’m rolling and don’t have time to think about none of that stuff that is behind me. I’m rolling forward and my foot is all the way on the gas right now. I haven’t even thought about it. I’ve been so busy with all of this Hoo-Bangin shit and the Cash Money stuff with Glasses and everything else, I don’t have time, dogg. But I don’t have a problem with anybody. I’m just moving.

CV.com: So it would be all love if you bumped into each other, but right now you’re just moving forward?

Mack 10: Like a muthafucka! (laughs)

CV.com: (Laughs) I feel you. To close things off, why should fans go cop “Soft White” when it’s in stores?

Mack 10: Yes sir. They should go get it simply because it’s Mack 10 at his best. I think it’s going to be refreshing to hear Mack 10 like that. Mack 10 brings something to the Coast that nobody else brings. I paint this picture for real from here. You can tell I represent this properly. I had the biggest names in rap out for my video on my Coast. I represent it properly and that’s what’s been missing from my part of town for a while.

CV.com: Mack 10 is moving forward and doing it big with Cash Money and everybody, but he’s still keeping it West Coast all the way! Make sure you go cop “Soft White” when it’s in stores. Do you have any last words for Chronicvacation.com?

Mack 10: Yeah, I’m blazing one right now.

CV.com: (Laughs) That fits perfectly for Chronic Vacation!

Mack 10: Believe that!

If you read it and leave a comment, be sure to click the link as well to show us that love! I did this THIS MORNING y'all! Strapped down and typed it up to get it out there to y'all asap! 

[Lunatic]

I know y'all reading this...

[kuruptDPG]

I know y'all reading this...

dope interview. lol you couldve told me it was done already, i gave you questions like today as well.

shame no westcoast cats are on his album

[Lunatic]

I know y'all reading this...

dope interview. lol you couldve told me it was done already, i gave you questions like today as well.

shame no westcoast cats are on his album

when u gave me the questions, it wasn't done yet..it hadn't been done..that's how fast i work homie   i did it, strapped down and finished it quick..

[kuruptDPG]

I know y'all reading this...

dope interview. lol you couldve told me it was done already, i gave you questions like today as well.

shame no westcoast cats are on his album

when u gave me the questions, it wasn't done yet..it hadn't been done..that's how fast i work homie   i did it, strapped down and finished it quick..

lol ok kl no prbs. its a shame though, why do westcoast cats go to a diffrent direction to try to get recognized again, jus do it westcoast style.

[Lunatic]

^at least he still keepin it mack 10 though..just with a few big names here..

[mrkmaidog]

dope interview knocc, damn we need mack,cube & wc to do another westside connection album!!! u should've asked him about Game, and if he'll ever work with him, it's only right that both of em collab together on a legendary blood track.... *that big wy track doesnt count*  so its distributed through fontana, too bad they suck at promoting...(look at daz's album only on the left), unless mack's label is promoting the album... suprised its not going through cash money/univeresal....can't wait to cop this cd.

[kuruptDPG]

^at least he still keepin it mack 10 though..just with a few big names here..

yh thats true

[Lunatic]

 so its distributed through fontana, too bad they suck at promoting...(look at daz's album only on the left), unless mack's label is promoting the album... suprised its not going through cash money/univeresal....can't wait to cop this cd.

i also thought it was Cash Money/Universal. To be honest, I prefer it to go through Fontana. At least we know it'll actually come out. Cash Money doesn't really put anything out unless your name is Wayne or Baby.

And promo wise, I'm guessing some $$ went into this project after seeing the guest lineup, videos, etc.

[DTG Entertainment]

so its distributed through fontana, too bad they suck at promoting...(look at daz's album only on the left), unless mack's label is promoting the album... suprised its not going through cash money/univeresal....can't wait to cop this cd.

i also thought it was Cash Money/Universal. To be honest, I prefer it to go through Fontana. At least we know it'll actually come out. Cash Money doesn't really put anything out unless your name is Wayne or Baby.

And promo wise, I'm guessing some $$ went into this project after seeing the guest lineup, videos, etc.

Yeah, Fontana basically let your shit sit on the shelf if you don't promote it right. They'll get it out there, but no one will know fuck all about it. I know this via personal experience.

[dubsmith_nz]

Good interview. So is "Street Shit" not on the album or did he just forget about Malone and Butch being on it?

Damn at Malone still not having a release date, boy needs to drop!

[Lunatic]

Good interview. So is "Street Shit" not on the album or did he just forget about Malone and Butch being on it?

Damn at Malone still not having a release date, boy needs to drop!

He said Glasses is on "street shit" and I mentioned Butch being on it.

[Sofa_King_Awesome]

Wow, dude is really delusional

[Lunatic]

Wow, dude is really delusional

about?

[acgrundy]

well I can already say with 100% certainty that this will be his worst album