MUSIC INDUSTRY LONG ISLAND
W
ho had the ‘Flava? Apparently Craig Mack did! There’s no need to facilitate some big surprise. He is after all a major part of Hip Hop’s history and Culture. As soon as you hear his name a well seasoned tune comes to mind. In the summer 1994 he released ‘Flava In Ya Ear under one of Hip Hop ’s most influential labels, Bad Boy. He was Bad Boy’s first platinum recording artist who paved the way, and introduced Biggie Smalls and many others on Bad Boy Records/Entertainment. The song grew even more popular across the Globe with a remix of the song that featured verses from the Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage and Busta Rhymes. He had flava and style. With iconic Hip Hop wears of the 90’s like baggy jeans, bubble coats, Timbs & Hockey Jerseys ... yeah he set the trends on the Fashion scene as well. Born in the Bronx, and raised on Long Island, he joined a cast of booming artists that set the bar in NY pretty high. Previous to his relationship with Bad Boy, he was signed to Sleeping Bag Records. EPMD, who was also from Brentwood, Long Island was on that label as well. He believed in solutions. He made it clear that it’s no secret a lot of rappers talk about what they did in the streets. His take on it was simple, and organic. “ If you’re going to talk about how bad it is and everything else... talk about what you used to have to do, and what you do...have a solution. Talk about a solution for the problem you’re talking about. “ (Courtesy of an interview with Lefty Left) The Music World and fans worldwide were sadden by the loss of this extraordinary Rapper in 2018. His music gave life, and energy to fans spanning from The Underground to Mainstream platforms. So let’s take a moment to appreciate Craig Mack making us bump our heads in the party, getting hype at the BBQ, and jamming on a weekend while cleaning up. Let’s also digest and manifest his outlook on positive thinking in our daily lives. S. I. P KING CRAIG MACK 1970-2018
(Photo) Hip-Hop Nostalgia