Interview With Trel Mack (SKE Records)

Trel Mack is a new artist who is making a serious buzz in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA, the blogs and on the radio.  Trel has been able to take advantage of every opportunity that has come his way.   However, he is not only an artist but a businessman who happens to be the co-owner of SKE Records along with his partner Q The Question aka Quinton Hatfield.   In this interview with Solovibes, Trel discusses his new single "Charizma", working with Philly R&B artist Mel Alston Jr, Battle Rap, the Philly hip-hop and SKE records.

Sincere: Who were your musical influences growing up and what made you decide to pursue music on a full time basis?

Trel Mack: Well my musical influences are many artists. I loved Mase growing up and I loved his album “Harlem World” and my favorite rapper of all time is Tupac.  Tupac’s music just reached so many people and it’s a reason why he’s a legend.  Also I love Earth, Wind & Fire as well. Overall I just love music, Mase, Jay-Z, Tupac, Big L, Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, the list goes on and on.

Sincere: For some people they fall prey to the street life.  What made you avoid the negative influences and stay on the positive path to success growing up in Philadelphia?

Trel Mack: Well for one I have three children and I have to be there for them.  But yeah Philly is just a rough city and I always stayed on the positive side of life.  As we say in Philly I just try to stay out the way and just pursue my career and provide the people with great music.  Living in Philly it’s easy to fall into the negative life but I’m happy to say I chose to do otherwise as that decision is not easy for many people.

Sincere: What makes you different from the average emcee?

Trel Mack: Well my style coming from Philly alone says a lot. Philly is known heavy for it’s street-oriented style and I always did my own lane.  I just love to write music not to take nothing away from the street music Philly provides but I just love to take my music out the box.  When you listen to records like “Still Here”, “Dreams of a Winner” I think those records alone put me in a different light.

Sincere: Your latest single "Charizma" which was produced by Epik will be featured on your upcoming EP "The Night Before The Dawn."  Have you decided on an actual release date or is that still up in the air?

Trel Mack: Don’t have a release date but trust me, I’m working so hard on this project.  Going through beats, me & Q The Question are looking for artist on the daily to collaborate with, it’s so much to do.  Q recently found this incredible singer from Sweden named Charlotte Eriksson aka The Glass Child, she is amazing, me and her will do something soon.  Listen to her songs “Stay” and also “I’d Like to Remain a Mystery”, she’s so incredible, Q has a great ear for talent.

Sincere: You were recently on Mel Alston Jr's remix "Dreamer II" along with Rich Quick for the upcoming Sorry mixtape.  It's a record I truly enjoy listening to.  What was it like working with Mel Alston Jr?



Trel Mack: Awww man, Mel Alston Jr. is a beast.  I first heard of him through Q again, Q has a great relationship with Troi Dickey of The Bynum Agency who works with Mel.  I remember one night me and Q was going through his records and was going crazy how hot his music was especially his song “Purple”.  It was only right we had to do something. We plan to do a video as well once everybody schedules clear. Mel new album is out now too go grab that “Movie Muzik”.  Shout to Rich Quick too.

Sincere: Can you elaborate on how you hooked up with Q The Question to form SKE records?

Trel Mack: Me and Q met back in 2006, it a funny story too.  Q used to work at Rita’s Waterice at the Gallery mall as I used to be down there a lot.  But I would also see him at the local library often in the downtown area so we just knew each other as “Oh what’s good you the dude from Rita’s” as I was a daily customer.  Come to find out we was both in the library on the music grind.  I was an artist that would go online to get my music out and Q was a journalist too for many hip-hop sites on the side.  So when we used to talk we exchanged info and that was the birth of SKE Records as he fell in love with my music and told me how he always wanted to start a record label.

Sincere: Being a co-owner of SKE records, Q and yourself have decided to take your music internationally to Spain, Portugal, South Africa, etc.  What made the both of you decide to tap into that market?

Trel Mack: Well Q also does the publicity for SKE Records artist and has crazy ties.  One of the main reasons is that Q is bilingual and speaks Spanish fluently, it’s amazing too his ties in many South American countries and in Spain along with the Dominican Republic.  I remember the days when Q spoke nothing and told me he was going to teach himself Spanish and actually became fluent in the streets learning from the Dominicans here in Philly. But yeah we did our research how so many artists have crazy online fan bases and avoid the crazy politics in their hometown. I was shocked to see how Dom Kennedy is touring overseas. Overseas is where it’s at and we had to take advantage, shout to DJ YRS Jerzy he is a huge part of SKE and does a great promo job for us each time we drop something.

Sincere: I have come across artists who give their albums away for free.  Do you think this concept devalues an artist in the long run?

Trel Mack: I think each case is different depending on your status in the game at the moment.  If you are kind of new with no following, or trying to reestablish it, it could be best to give away. Where if you are established you have to make revenue and see how you stand with your fans and if they are willing to support.  I do feel though if you have real fans they will be supportive and it can show your worth.

Sincere: Philly has some great new talent such as Chill Moody, Damo, Twizzmatic, Fess Gotchu, Rhyshon Jones to name a few.  Who should we look for in your camp that will make a serious mark in the industry?

Trel Mack: Well from the SKE Camp we have Petter Jones he is next up, his video to “Three” is coming soon featuring myself and Shawn Archer and he has a dope record out called “Moments”, he killed it.   Also we have our Spanish R&B singer from Spain Adry Sawza.  His new video dropped not too long ago “Nunca Crei” and his EP “Humble” is coming soon too.  We are international with it LOL.

Sincere: Grind Time, 106 & Park, Smack, UW Battle League, etc has expanded across the country and the world.  Eminem has started his own battle league called Total Slaughter.  Do you see this as a trend that will be around for another 10 years or will it fade away?

Trel Mack: Well it depends, all those are great outlets for that lane. I read the Eminem news as well and he such a household so maybe he can take it somewhere it has never been.  I’m not shocked Eminem made this move either, he comes from Battle Rap and was a beast at it.

Sincere: Who do you think will win in a battle. Common or Black Thought?

Trel Mack: Wow, tough call, Common is one hell of an emcee but Black Thought got some super bars, might have to ride out with Philly on this one.

Sincere: If you had the opportunity to work with one producer who would it be?

Trel Mack: Ryan Leslie hands down, I want to work with him bad. I believe me and him will make some magic.

Sincere: What advice would you give to a young artist who wants to pursue their musical dreams full tie?

Trel Mack: Be passionate, because the strive to have success is going to be a long hard road.  When the passion is there, you will be fine, but if you in for the money you will not last because money is the objective so when moments of frustration arrive you might quit, because money is the objective.

Sincere: Any shoutouts or final thoughts?

Trel Mack: Shout out to the whole SKE Records team.  We have a show June 18th at Voltage Lounge, Petter Jones will rock hard, shout out to Home Grown Philly as well and much love to Wiggz & Wooten!  Follow me on instagram and twitter @trelmack.

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