Mack Wilds stirred up his hometown of Staten Island last night, giving his all to native fam, friends, and oodles of screaming girls. The Grammy-nominated artist performed hits from his debut album New York: A Love Story and his underground EP Remember, Remember at Clove Lakes Park, showing off his range and diversity of influences.
The party kicked off with Peter Rosenberg of HOT 97, who got
the crowd hype with Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," juxtaposed with SWV and Chris Brown
remixes, Wu-Tang and Mary J. Blige. He steadily brought it to the new school
before introducing the guest of honor, Mack Wilds.
Mack started off with “Wild Things,” and followed it
up with “My Crib-359” and “Henny.” “This is the craziest feeling,” he exclaimed
about being back in his hometown to a bunch of excited fans. He followed up
with songs from his EP, “Cold” and “This Ain’t Your Everyday Love Song.”
Wilds sang "MaGic!!!," then introduced “Keepin It Real” with the phrase, “When
keeping it real goes wrong…,” before slowing it down with “Don’t Turn Me Down,”
and exclaiming his yearnings in “A NY Love Story.”
Then Mack proverbially turned the tables, and started performing a mix of
hits on a music head’s ultimate playlist, such as Amy Winehouse’s “Just
Friends” and Musiq Soulchild’s hit of the same name; he followed with DMX’s “Ruff
Ryder’s Anthem,” Biggie’s “Hypnotize,” and “All About the Benjamin’s.” Then he took
it back to the present with Fetty Wap’s “My Way,” and danced to Silentó’s
“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).”
Call and response ruled “Duck Sauce,” before Mack got
intimate with the crowd, happy for his hometown appreciation yet in mourning of recent tragic events (passing of loved one Alize). As a tribute to life, he told his audience to “Own It,”
and performed his last song amidst some tears that were overcome by audience cheers.
Parting words from his crew: expect more music to come from Mack Wilds; a sweet
culmination to a royal homecoming.--GB
Propers--GB
Propers--GB
