Photo: Courtesy of Huey Mack
First appearing on the Billboard charts in 2013 with his independently-released “Pretending Perfection,” Huey Mack is a proper example of a DIY-style hip-hop artist. While his native West Virginia has yielded its fair share of successful entertainers – filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, drummer Brian Wolfe, and indie-pop duo TeamMate as some examples – it took getting out of town for Huey Mack to start building a name.
Huey’s “Things Change” album – featuring collaborations with Cisco Adler, Afrojack, Twista, Bones Thugs & Harmony and the aforementioned TeamMate – will released on June 23rd. In support of the release of “Things Change,” Huey headlines The Studio At Webster Hall on August 4th. He answered some questions for Downtown via e-mail, showing a lot more depth than many have assumed he has.
What do you wish more people knew about Huey Mack?
Huey Mack: Honestly, I wish people knew me as a good person (laughs). I have people come up to me at meet-and-greets or bars all the time and they’re like “woah, you’re actually a nice person, I kind of figured you’d be an asshole.” That’s always a little funny to me, but certain people only know you for a song or two about partying or sex, so they draw their depiction of who you are from that.
Being from West Virginia, what was your first exposure to live hip-hop?
H: It took me a while to remember this one. My step-sister is about 10 years older, and from Akron, OH, and she was visiting or something. I remember her freaking out over an episode of TRL when “The Real Slim Shady” came on and she was like “THAT’S MY BOY, I LOVE EMINEMMMM,” and I remember watching like, “wow, I like this guy.” Where I’m from, there’s a lot of country and I like country music from time to time, but with my upbringing, I felt more of a connection with these “rap” artists of the early 2000s who were really putting their lives out there. Although there was a lot of B.S. put out, and I never shot a gun or sold a drug, it really helped me figure myself out in the long run. If you listen to a song like “Sing For The Moment” when Eminem says “or anyone who’s ever been through shit in they life, so they sit and they cry at night wishing they’d die, till they throw on a rap record and they sit and they vibe,” it kind of explains what rap did for me at an early age. Although I was never a depressed kid, per say.
To someone who’s heard your music, but hasn’t seen you live before, what should they be expecting from your gig at Webster Hall?
H: Man, it’s just fun, plain and simple. We like to party with everyone else and just give them a very fast-paced, energetic show that leaves them like “woah, what a night.”
What do you think the biggest misconception is about rapping for a living?
H: That you’re super-rich. At the end of the day I’m an independent artist and I’m running my own business trying to work myself up, so I’m not some millionaire, but sometimes people will make weird comments to me at the bar or something like “you should buy everyone shots with all that money you’re making,” and I’m just like, “what?” (laughs).
For you, is rapping the end game? Or do you have other things that you’d like to do professionally?
H: I wouldn’t mind if it is. I love creating music and honestly, that’s my passion, but I’m an entertainer at heart. I would like to get into acting seriously at some point. People say I’m goofy and funny enough that I’d be good at it. Even though I feel like the term “goofy” is a bit of a backhanded compliment (laughs).
Beyond touring in support of “Things Change,” what’s ahead for you?
H: Honestly, I don’t know right now. I’m getting back to work on some music, but I’m so proud of this album that I’m just focused on all things “Things Change” right now.
Finally, Huey, any last words for the kids?
H: Don’t do drugs and buy my album.
Check out “Favorite Song” here:
-by Darren Paltrowitz
