For The Critics

Searching for an Outlet

In every city you’ll find new artists grinding. You’ll also hear them scream that they’re the best in the city…Well Pittsburgh’s no different and we got to sit down and talk with Rell Mac, an upcoming talent out of the Garfield section of Pittsburgh. Here’s the conversation we had with Mac about music, politics and how it feels to be Searching for an Outlet in a city that’s losing it’s biggest voice for Hip Hop

ForTheCritics.com: What’s the inspiration behind the music you create?

Rell Mac: My family is my inspiration behind my music helping the Beenafactors get into a good situation drives me to make good music. My e Beenafactors family (J-Brown, Geo, Amen, MV, and AO) their my inspiration they keep me humble and keep me sharp we always have a lil lyrical exercise to make sure everyone is where they should be if not better that inspires me. My dude that passed away George “Killa” Kyles I know he’s looking down and that inspires me to make good music and strive to be the best.

ForTheCritics.com: Besides the Beenafactor family keeping you inspired how do you keep that motivation with the state of the game the way it is currently

Rell Mac: I stay motivated by being around people that understand good music, that lets me know there are poeple who still understand it out there. And people that want to make good music, like I’m one of those people that grew up on Classic albums such as: illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Ready to Die, OB4CL, ect and I want my name being brought up in the conversation when those artist are named. I want my music to be remembered, I want people to play my music 10 yrs later and still value it I want to make timeless music thats what keeps me going and inspires me

ForTheCritics.com: Who were some of your biggest influences in not just hip-hop, but music?

Rell Mac: My biggest hip-hop influences would have to be the late 80’s and 90’s music cuz thats when I feel in love with hip-hop. From Daddy Cane, Rakim, Kool G, NWA, The Bad Boy Era, The Rocafella Era, The Death Row Era. Other than hip-hop I would have to say “The oldies but goodies” such as, Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, Mike Jackson, music during that time cuz growning up in the household I grew up in thats what you heard. Sunday morning ya moms down stairs cleaning and she’s jamming to the oldies, you just learn to love them as you get older.

ForTheCritics.com: Your last mixtape was 5101…Based on a true story, Where did the name come from? What do you plan on naming your upcoming project

Rell Mac: The name 5101…Based on a true story came from the house that I grew up in as a child. That was my address in Garfield, 5101 Columbo Street. I wanted to give people a look at Rell Mac from a different light and understand where I come from. Like saying you might know me now but understand why I am the way I am and see things through my point of view. As far as my next project I want to continue with inviting people into the households I grew up in so I plan on naming the next one 7037….The worst of Rell Mac cuz thats the next house we moved into. Plus that was the worst time for me growing up so thats the reason behind the name.

ForTheCritics.com: What made that the Worst of Rell Mac?

Rell Mac: Thats at that point in my life when we were living in 7037 it was the worst time in my life. My father wasnt around I started running the streets and things like that. If I tell you too much its gonna take away from some of the surprise concepts I have. But thats where the general idea came from

ForTheCritics.com: What type of direction are going in with this mixtape creatively?

Rell Mac: I’m giving people the opportunity to look at a rapper from the inside out something thats not being done. Yeah someone could say they did this and did that but if theres no foundation and no one can honesty agree and vouch for what that person is saying then it doesnt mean anything. I’m giving people the chance to know Tarelle before they know Rell Mac and people that I grew up with and people that where around at that time can honesty stay he’s not lying and he’s giving people the real him not a make believe person

ForTheCritics.com: As far as where you’re standing in the mix of Pittsburgh artist right now, How do you feel it’s being represented…Positively? Negatively? What changes in the city’s hip hop scene would you like to see?

I like Pittsburgh rap I feel like its moving in the right direction, like 10 yrs ago we weren’t where we’re at now. It’s being repped in a good way. We got people like Boaz thats not only holding his hood down he’s holding the city down. People like Wiz who holds 412 down so Pittsburgh is moving in a great direction and is being repped great in my eyes. The only change I would like to see is more people from everyewhere coming together to try to bring the city up. We are all trying to reach the same goal and thats get in the industry and be heard which is great but it seems like once one person reaches a certain level other people want to bring them back down. (Crabs in a bucket) I love my city and I support everyone’s movement from the biggest name to the smallest name cuz I want my whole city to shine.

ForTheCritics.com: Where do you envision your career later on in the future?

Rell Mac: In the future I want to be the greatest (just like everyone who ever picked up a mic) I want to lead or if not help lead my city reach the level where I think it could be. I just want to be remembered for good music thats all I ask.

ForTheCritics.com: If you got the chance to collab with any artists on ONE track, who would it be? and Why?

Rell Mac: One artist? This is a tough question but I would have to say Jay-Z. For the simple fact it would bring out the best in me cuz I would be the underdog. Cuz you already know what HOV can do so it would be a great exercise lyrically for me.

ForTheCritics.com: Do you think what you bring to the game is in it’s own lane creatively and what the industry should hear?

Rell Mac: Yeah, hip-hop is always looking for the next “thing” or the next “wavy” and I feel I have that.

ForTheCritics.com: In your opinion, what’s your best work that you’ve done up until now?

Rell Mac: 5101 was def my best work from the concept behind the record to the lyrics, overall it was something that I’m proud of but I’m just getting started and I have my whole career ahead of me so the best is yet to come. Look out for that Beenafactor mixtape/album “THE BALCONY” COMING SOON and 7037….THE WORST OF RELL MAC also coming soon!