Discovering your dreams and aspirations can be simple when you own it. Mack Wilds has done this by covering the acting and singing game effortlessly.
Wilds is known for his roles on The Wire and run on the revamped CW hit 90210, but with his transition to music, the “Own It” singer is covering the arts in his own special way. Since he was a child, inspirational people like Spike Lee, Jay Z (his distant uncle), and famed producer Salaam Remi have surrounded Wilds, helping him to stay on the right track.
At the age of 15, Wilds worked with Spike Lee for the Teen Nick (formerly The-N) mini series Miracle’s Boys and Remi helped produce Wild’s debut album, New York: A Love Story. During his breakout role as Michael Lee on the critically acclaimed series The Wire, Wilds starred in a few music video cameos, including Jay Z’s “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is…)” video.
What’s the best piece of advice ‘Uncle Jay’ has given the 24-year-old star? Keep a clear mind and concentrate on your dreams.
“I think, ‘Don’t let the fame blind you,’” he said. “It’s a great game; it’s an amazing game. But a lot of people let the excess of it all take away from what we’re actually here for, which is the artistry of the music. So stay focused, I think that was the main thing everyone says. Just stay focused.”
The star has continued to do exactly that. He recently performed at Hot 97’s Summer Jam for the first time on the Festival Stage and will perform at the BET Experience during the BET Awards.
The Grammy-nominated singer holds both talents dear to heart, proving that you can always have more than one dream to catch.
“I can’t even choose,” he said. “Had you asked me this a few years ago, I would have definitely said music. But I love acting so much, that I can’t even choose. Acting has shown me my love for creativity and creation, and building character, but performing, writing songs, singing songs, rapping the songs, making them into something dope, something great! Actually creating something, I love that more than everything else that I do.”
With his new single “My Crib” currently on the airwaves, Wilds continues to ride the path to his dreams, hungrier than ever before.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
