Some artists are placed directly into the industry, with their pasts and personalities seemingly having no bearing on how they got there or why. Others unfold right in front of us, and invite everyone along for the come up. Seattle MC and producer Mackned belongs to the latter category.Straight off the back of a collaboration with Chief Keef earlier this week, Mackned is on the precipice of dropping a full release produced by The Flavr Blue - a Seattle pop project that sees the city's hip-hop scene staples Parker Joe and Lace Cadence working with Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, director, and all-round extremely talented human Hollis Wong-Wear. And it's quite something. Bouncing between Seattle and Manhattan, Joe and Cadence produced and co-wrote the album with Mackned, and each feature on a track. We're premiering the first single called "Dope Man", featuring Parker Joe, below.With Mackned's Xanax-coated vocals and The Flavr Blue's sinister, syrupy production, "Dope Man" is the sonic intersection between glamorous and dangerous. It's a symbolic joining of forces - a lush and versatile project that takes Soundcloud rap out of the bedroom and into club culture, as everyone involved takes another step from Seattle domination towards wider recognition.
Mackned will play with The Flavr Blue at Neumos in Seattle on March 12 to culminate The Flavr Blue's 'Love Notes' Tour, with more collaborative shows to come.