This week’s Artist of the Week is Mackenzie Nicole, Tech N9ne’s pop protégé. Learn more about the pop sensation below!
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- Introduce yourself!
Hello, hello. I’m Mackenzie Nicole, independent pop artist out of Kansas City, Missouri, signed to Strange Music Inc.
- How did you get started in music and performing?
Growing up in the music industry, I’ve always absolutely loved music and performance of any kind, which led me to classic vocal training and theatre, both of which have bled into my persona as an artist–I’m very linguistically focused and theatrical. Professionally, I got my start featuring on my labelmate Tech N9ne’s music when I was nine, after which I continued to work with other Strange Music artists as well. My first released solo track was actually “Actin Like You Know,” which was on Strange’s label-wide collaborative album Strangeulation Volume II. I never intended for the song to get any major traction, but it actually ended up being the top track off the album, thus here we are.
- What is your style like now, and how has it evolved throughout your time as an artist?
Considering I only have one song released, a lot of what I’m describing will make more sense upon the release of the work I’ve been developing since Actin Like You Know. Actin Like You Know was the beginning of a long process for me as a non-pop-listener trying to create pop music I would want to listen to. Presently, I would describe my style as having an emphasis on writing and lyricism. My sound is heavily influenced by two totally contrasting yet integral parts of my background – classical operatic training and a rap-based upbringing.
- Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I LOVE THIS QUESTION, because many different artists inspire me in many different ways. I love the iconicism of such stars as Prince, Tupac, the Doors. But, I’m more vocally inspired by Aaliyah, Rihanna, or TLC. Flume and Halsey have some very heart-stopping production. As you can see, I’m all over the map.
- What is your favorite part of participating in a creative process? (i.e. writing, performing, etc.)
I am so in love with every part of the creative process. Writing and recording is so amazing because that is where it begins; your project, your future, and your life are all dependent on what you write down in your notebook and record in the booth.
- Whats your current go-to playlist look like?
Say It // Flume
Three Strikes // Terror Jr.
Hit Em Up // 2Pac
Bailando (Spanish version) // Enrique Iglesias
Lush Life // Zara Larrson
Pity Party // Melanie Martinez
The Way I Do // Bishop Briggs
Bitch Better Have My Money // Rihanna
Doin’ Time // Sublime
Not Mine // Joseph
- Any dream collaborations?
I would love to work with Flume. Like I said, that production is so good it kills me.
- Where do you see yourself and your music in 5 years?
I try not to anticipate too much, because I don’t want to set any specific standards. So far, everything has been exciting and unexpected, and I would love to keep it that way. The best I can hope for is success.
- If you could go back in time to any concert/live performance, who would you go see?
I would love to see TLC in concert because those girls are so inspiring to me and Left Eye is my hero, rest her soul.
- What’s one must-have item when you’re on tour?
N/A (I haven’t toured yet)
- Craziest or weirdest tour story?
N/A (I haven’t toured yet)
- What’s one instrument you wish you knew how to play?
I want to learn the violin! I have this weird thing where I will get a certain instrument stuck in my head, so I have to learn how to play it. I’ve had violin music stuck in my head since last August.
- If you had the chance to play a sold out show in any city in the world, where would you go?
Hmm. I would love to play for troops on a U.S.O. tour in the Middle East. My labelmates have done so and it sounds like an incredible personal experience.
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