Introducing… MaG

Finishing up our week long look at up and coming artists on the scene is the Bronx’s own MaG. A long time reader of the site, MaG finally hit me up with some of his music. I gotta say I was impressed with his skills. He’s worked with a bunch of familiar cats in the game; it’s amazing I hadn’t heard of him before. You’re gonna be seeing more of MaG on the site as we’ll be doing some work with him on some side projects. But for now, let’s get to know MaG…

“The future of NYC hip-hop” said Buckwild, famed producer, when speaking of MaG. Born and raised in the birthplace of Hip-Hop, Bronx, NY, MaG began his emceeing career at the age of 18. MaG can be heard on new mixtapes/albums by Chanudon , Rich London, DJ Denox, and DJ Wristpect, among others. MaG released the mixtape/album Reaganomics, featuring Darien Brockington, G.O.D. of Pitch Black, Torae, Skyzoo and others and was produced and mixed by MaG, Vega Benetton (“XXL”, Scratch”) and Dan the Man (mixed albums by Lil Kim, Big Pun, the Boot Camp Click, Skyzoo, and others). MaG was a featured artist on hiphopgame.com. MaG was also the winner of DJ Green Lantern’s Sonicbids Mixtape compeition where he landed a coveted spot on Green Lantern’s “Alive on Arrival” mixtape. MaG is currently working on his follow-up mixtape as well as other projects in the upcoming year, marking the transition from MaG the emcee to MaG the artist. Look for more projects and collaborations from MaG, and as hiphopgame.com put it, “this Bronx-bred emcee is worth checking out.”

Where You Reppin?

Born and raised in the birthplace of hip-hop: Bronx, NYC

Introduce Yourself:

I’m MaG. I’m an artist. I make dope music. I love what I do. Just hoping everybody else will too.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

Working on a few solo mixtapes, some collaborations and an EP in the works. Just finished up a soundtrack for a short film. Trying to stay busy.

Previous work that we should know about:

My first mixtape Reaganomics [download], some work with producer Buckwild, Chaundon’s “Carnage” album, mixtapes with Green Lantern, Wristpect, D-Dub, Denox, and Rich London; tracks with Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo, Torae, Kev Turner, Math, Gif, 6th Sense, Wildabeast, to name a few.

Main musical inspirations:

This isn’t a specific order but B.I.G, Jay-Z, Nas, Mos Def, Andre 3000, Jadakiss, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones. I just love people who make honest music.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song?

Little Brother’s “Dreams” off their GetBack album. We all got dreams. Everyday I wake up I set out to make those a reality.

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

I just want to keep making quality music that can stand the test of time. I want people to play my music and understand me and feel like they can relate. I try and make music for the people. Some people gonna love it. Some people gonna hate it. But at the end of the day I’m always me. I go to sleep comfortably knowing that. People want you to be this cookie-cutter image of what “hipster hip-hop” or “backpack hip-hop” is. I just love making music

What’s next for you?

More music. More mixtapes. More interviews. Right now I’m just trying to push the MaG name and get people fully involved in the music and me as an artist.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Nas’ “No Ideas” off the Lost Tapes LP. I burnt a whole in that cd having that song on repeat. The joint is very poetic and Nas just goes in from beginning to end.

Any shout outs or last words?

Producers, emcees, music lovers, get at me. I think right now, especially in NY, we’re missing that collaborative spirit. If you’re nice then I’m working with you. Hit me up on the myspace, download the mixtape, and make sure you tell a friend!

DOWNLOAD REAGANOMICS

KN.COM EXCLUSIVE – REAGANOMICS BONUS TRACKS

• myspace.com/mrmag