Craig Mack facts for kids

Craig Jamieson Mack (born May 10, 1971 – died March 12, 2018) was an American rapper and music producer. He became very famous while working with Bad Boy Records.

Early Life and Music Career

Craig Jamieson Mack was born in The Bronx, New York. He grew up on Long Island. As a teenager, he started rapping under the name MC EZ. His first song, "Get Retarded," came out in 1988.

Craig became friends with the hip hop group EPMD. He even toured with them, helping out as a roadie (someone who helps set up equipment for concerts). After a few years, Craig got a chance to rap for Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy. Soon, Craig got a record deal with Sean Combs's new music label, Bad Boy Records.

Craig Mack became famous for his hit song "Flava in Ya Ear" in 1994. A special remix of the song helped launch the careers of other famous rappers, like The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. Craig was the first artist to release music on Bad Boy Records. However, The Notorious B.I.G.'s first album, Ready to Die, came out just one week after Craig's album, Project: Funk da World. The Notorious B.I.G.'s album became a huge success, which made Craig's early success seem smaller by comparison.

Sean Combs mentioned in an interview that he was working on Craig's second album. But this album did not come out as planned. Craig did release a second album in 1997, called Operation: Get Down, but it did not have the same success.

After trying to make a comeback in the early 2000s, Craig Mack was not heard from much in the music world. Then, in 2012, a video appeared online. It showed that he had joined a Christian ministry. From 2012 until his death, Craig lived in the Overcomer Ministry in Walterboro, South Carolina. In 2016, the ministry's YouTube channel shared a video called "Craig Mack Testimony." In the video, Craig rapped about his Christian faith. He said he planned to stay with the ministry and did not want to return to mainstream rap music.

In 2012, a new mixtape by Craig Mack, Operation Why2K? – Hosted by B-Eazy, was released. In 2017, another collection of his unreleased songs, The Mack World Sessions, came out. In 2018, a mixtape called 'That's My Word' was released.

Personal Life and Passing

Craig Mack was married and had two children. He was close friends with rapper Biz Markie.

Craig Mack passed away on March 12, 2018. He died from heart failure at a hospital near his home in Walterboro, South Carolina. His friends said he had been sick for some time.

After Craig's death, rapper Erick Sermon shared that he was finishing work on Craig Mack's newest album.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Singles

Music Videos

See also

In Spanish: Craig Mack para niños