Hip Hop Habit: Mike Mack & Harlem

posted in: FeaturesUrban

Mike Mack & Harlem. Say that name a couple times over in your head. Now look at the picture down on the right. If their blunting moniker and shady street side pose don’t scream rough riding east coast smack-you-in-the-mouth ’90s rap then I don’t know what does. I’m not sure that’s more because Mike Mack looks (and sounds) remarkably like Biggie, or because the other half of this duo originally hails from (and goes by the name of) Harlem, but that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth for the group that define their sound as soul hop. Hell, they even reference Mr. Feeney and Screech in their rhymes.

Mike Mack and Harlem black and white seattleOut of all the duos covered in Hip Hop Habit, Mike Mack and Harlem seem to be the most well balanced. These two find themselves on different ends of the spectrum in geography, tone and physical size”three aspects of their style that when combined appear at first glance more like an experiment in contrast. Not surprisingly, both have followed strikingly different musical paths to reach where they are today. Mike was born in central Seattle and discovered his love for music after winning a spot in the choir that was selected to back up Celine Dion at the Key Arena when he was in 5th grade. For Harlem (real name Hugh Brown), the passion was basketball until a move to Seattle at the age of 13 introduced him to Mack and the enthralling forces of hip hop. That’s right”the twosome has been developing their act since their teenage years, drumming out beats on middle school cafeteria tables and freestyling on school bus rides home. After some trying lineup changes and temporary hiatuses, they’re now here to stay.

The group loosely defines their invented genre soul hop as smooth hip hop, the best example of which can be found in sunny feel good anthem Check It. Primarily featuring a chirping string sample from The Jacksons ostensibly recalling the late ’70s soul era, MM&H don’t let you forget their hip hop origins by throwing in a beat overcrowded with thumping bass drum. Lyrically, they use these optimistic instrumentals as an opportunity to defend the art form they love, of course without missing any chance to inject some good natured self affirmation as well with lines like off the grid my lyrics are uncharted/ and the game’s integrity I’ve guarded and a chorus howling check it check it/ let’s take it to the essence/ this is real hip hop you gotta respect it/ the games in danger/ we gotta protect it.

Mike Mack and Harlem Seattle Hip HopMike and Harlem relay their vision for the future in Look Into My Eyes, a track subtly sending listeners the message that they’re secretly in on something that’s going to be big. Simply put, if the two are ever financially strapped, this song would make potential investors feel very, very comfortable. Harlem’s tightrope flow perks all inspirable ears on the moving chorus, rapping “look into my eyes/ tell me what you see/ can you see the hunger that’s growin’ inside of me/ can you see the vision I’m trying to get you to see/ can you see the h-i-p h-o-p with almost methodical deliberateness. To offset his crisp sound, Mack comes in during the verse like a midnight freight train, rhyming what most everyone is already thinking: I’m sure you can see the hunger/ there’s no reason to wonder/ why every track I make strikes hard like thunder. The beat is a lethargic jam, structured around effected bass and percussion interplay, and accented with synth chimes that when combined compose the sonic incarnation of cultivation.

For the time being MM&H are performing around beautiful Washington State from Seattle to Tacoma, but if their vision turns into reality, they’ll be hitting the road nationally soon. With plans to play a number of showcases this year, release their second album Soul Hop and land their songs on a variety of radio stations, chances are you’ll be hearing them sooner rather than later. As always, check out their material in the player below and let us know how you like them in the comments!