Harry Mack explains how he creates a rap-style mix of ‘positive vibes’ and jokes (exclusive)

“Hip hop wouldn’t be hip hop without diss tracks,” Rising Rap Star harry mack He says hollywood life. Harry, who has partnered with Starbucks to “reverse roast” fans on Twitch by creating personal at-home coffee recommendations based on their personalities, knows that while many shadow and fire rappers would normally pen a verse, it now becomes a killer tweet, the diss track still dominates the hip hop scene today. “If you trace the genre back to its roots, it was about battles! Battles between B-boys on the dance floor, battles between DJs and emcees on stage or in parks, graffiti artists trying to outdo the competition by displaying their murals more prominently or flaunting an original and extravagant style.

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“This swagger is a big part of the hip-hop language and culture is about expressing yourself and your lived experiences,” she says. hollywood life. “That said, my guy The style is all about positive vibes, hence my association of Reverse Roast with Starbucks, lifting people up instead of tearing them down. This partnership is truly amazing due to our shared love of personalization. I’m passionate about connecting with people through one-of-a-kind, instant raps created just for them, and Starbucks also celebrates personalization with its line of house coffees, whether you like K-Cups or whole beans, dark roasts, or flavors . All.”

Those who missed the “Reverse Roast” show can experience Harry’s style when they see him on tour. For many, this may be their first time seeing Harry live. He went viral in 2017 with a Venice Beach freestyle that saw him appear on talk shows where he crossed paths with Kendrick Lamar, Soulja Boy and Joey Bada $$, all in awe of Harry’s dynamic freestyling skills. . The talent for improvisation and flow is difficult to master and makes for exciting live performances.

“My live show is very unique because I don’t go on stage and perform pre-composed material that the audience knows word for word,” he explains to HL extension “Instead, my show is top-down improvisation, based entirely on the opinion of the audience. Each show is a totally unique 1-on-1 experience. I’m very proud of the way my team and I have taken freestyling from its traditional context of a few people gathered around a boombox to big stages in front of thousands of people. It really is something special!

“The 2023 Odyssey Tour is going to be my biggest tour and I can’t wait to get there,” he adds. “I truly feel that anyone who loves good music, good vibes and live music who really needs to be there to experience it will connect with my show. Each performance is completely different from the last and from what fans have told me after the shows, the interactive aspect of involving them in my creative process makes a huge difference in terms of the level of impact I can have with my audience.”

And something that will push the Odyssey Tour? Starbucks. Creating a new show every night on the go takes energy and creativity, which you can find from Starbucks in the coffee aisle to most local grocery stores or your local coffee shop (there’s probably one within walking distance of you right now) . “Coffee is literally what gets me out of bed in the morning,” says Harry. Does not know. When asked about of the coffee order, since his “Reverse Roast” was about him playing the local Starbucks barista to his fans, keeps it simple.

“I love the ritual of sitting down right away with a cup of hot coffee. It’s a great opportunity for me to tackle a busy day of creative work, and it’s especially essential when we travel to different cities every night, longing for something that feels like a ‘normal’ routine,” she says. “I drink my coffee black, and my favorite coffee has been Veranda lately because it’s smooth, flavorful, and light at the same time.”

For those who don’t know Harry, he gave hollywood life an EXCLUSIVE playlist of songs to help the uninitiated get to know you better. As you listen as you brew a Starbucks at home, read on to learn more about Harry’s hip hop roots, how the style came about, and who he considers his biggest influences. And if you’re interested in finding homemade Starbucks coffee just right for you, visit ReverseRoast.com.

HollwoodLife: What was the first rap line/verse that made you stop when you heard it? Was it one that energized you like a triple hit? Was it one that made you giddy with laughter, like a macchiato topped with whipped cream? Or was it a sober line, like drinking black coffee?

Harry: The first rap verse that really stopped me was Gift of Gab in the Blackalicious song “Blazing Arrow”. I had heard a lot of traditional rap on the radio at the time, but Gab was the first underground lyricist I came into contact with. I remember my friends Brady, Elan and I huddled around the boombox, and about 20 seconds into that song, we all looked at each other with our chins on the floor.

I’ve never heard anyone rap with this level of technique and lyricism. I would definitely say that he energized me like a shot of espresso and started my creative journey as a presenter. While we use coffee as inspiration, I think music and coffee have a lot in common, which is one of the reasons I wanted to partner with Starbucks for this “Reverse Roast” campaign. For both, there are so many genres and types, and something to suit any mood or occasion. It’s about personalizing and being open to finding what fits your mood or taste. Today I was practicing my freestyles with some Starbucks Veranda in my cup.

Also, what is a verse/measure that you consider your current masterpiece/work? For example, when you finished saying it, you said, “This is for the highlight reel.”

It’s hard for me to tell because, as an improviser, I’m always looking at the next rhyme instead of reflecting on the one I just spit out. That said, I’ve always been a fan of rappers like Big L, who are very clever in their ability to play with words and come up with mind-blowing metaphors and jokes. Once on Omegle, this young lady suggested the clothing brand “Dior” as a word to incorporate into my freestyle. After doing a few more fashion lines, I turned around and said, “A-plus lyricism that blows you away / Other rappers just get Dior F.” [as in D or F].” I love extending the meaning of words and creating wild twists like this one.

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You are known for your freestyles, which you have taken to Twitch and Omegle. How were these computer ciphers born?

I’ve always been very interested in freestyling and improvising on top of the dome. Since this particular style of rap is generally best experienced live, most of my freestyles from ages 12 to 26 weren’t recorded. It wasn’t until 2016 that I made my first YouTube video and started to really see the power of the internet, and video platforms in particular, to showcase my improv skills. My first videos showed me in Los Angeles freestyling for strangers in public places. When Covid hit, like many artists, I had to turn around and find new ways to keep creating. Since I couldn’t keep rapping for people in public, I started experimenting with live streaming and sites like Omegle so I could keep freestyling and creating content. I had no idea how big these two platforms would be for my freestyle career, but it’s been great to capture this momentum and channel it into new ways, like brand collaborations. It’s been a fun experience for me to bring my freestyle to not only Starbucks as a brand, but the food department as well.

Who do you consider your role models or your main influences on your music?

When it comes to hip-hop, I’m a fan above all else, and there are so many artists who have influenced me over the years. In addition to the people I’ve already mentioned (Gift of Gab and Big L), I’ve been heavily influenced by Nas, Black Thought, Rakim, Kendrick Lamar and MF DOOM, as well as many of the classic 90’s bands, especially Wu-Tang , Gang Starr, Tribe and De La, to name a few. As an improv freestyler, I am endlessly inspired by the legends Supernatural, MC Juice, Eyedea and the Freestyle Fellowship.

Catch Harry on tour this spring and summer.

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