Billboard Top Hip-hop
Get to know about Mac and A.K – Exclusive Interview
Journalist- Hello !!! How are you ?
I’m good fam
Journalist-Please, Introduce yourself?
My name is A.K. the other half of Mac & A.K. We are rap group based out of East Palo Alto in the Bay Area in Northern California.
Journalist-What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
My twin brother Mac did, as he was always involved in talent shows and eventually joined a group called Black Jack also based out of East Palo Alto. Black Jack went on to put out an album in the early 90s through Triad Records/Ichiban. That group made a lot of noise when they came out, but they had creative differences and my brother left the group.
I had always been a student of the game and was writing rhymes and my brother asked me to form a group with him, and Mac & A.K. was born. We started out to just make an album for the hood, but one of the homies who managed groups heard about us and he asked to manage us. We eventually cut a demo and shopped it to several labels and Tommy Boy Records based on New York (Dela Soul, Queen la Tifah, Naughty By Nature, Coolio, House Of Pain) signed us.
We released an EP called West Bound for Riders only while on Tommy Boy and also, earned a gold plaque for a song called “Way 2 Saucy” featuring Mac Mall (from Vallejo California). The track was featured on the “Nothing 2 Lose” movie soundtrack with Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. At some point we realized Tommy Boy wasn’t an good fit and we left the label and formed E&K Music Group, with Mac being Co-CEO. We put out 3 albums. The first was Money Rhymes, then Hustle Music and finally Legendary.Througout our journey we have collaborated with The Game, E-40, Above The Law, Planet Asia, San Quinn, JT The Bigga Figga, Lil Ric, Sean T, and many more great Westcoast artists. Unfortunately, my twin brother Mac passed away in 2013, so I am picking up the torch and keeping the legacy alive.
Journalist-Tell us about your new single. And what’s the story behind it?
The new single is “Don’t Play With Me” FT King Cydal and Money $ Mont AKA Mr Fetti and it is a song letting folx know not to mess around and to respect where we are coming from. It’s an anthem with a hard beat and dope lyrics.
Journalist-What makes your music unique?
Our music is unique because we use a lot of live instrumentation like live guitars, live drums, and keyboards and no samples. We focus on making meaningful ill lyrics and contents and not rapping to just to be rapping. You can hear the professionalism and experience in each verse.
Journalist- What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Take your time and hone your craft and don’t follow trends because they fade. Don’t try to do music because you think you are going to be the next big thing. Do it because it is what you love to do and fame and fortune will eventually come to you.
Journalist-And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I’m open to collaborate with dope artists from everywhere, but focusing on me for now.
Journalist-Any upcoming projects?
I have a new single and video called King of The Grind coming in about a month and a full length album called Only The Strong Survives part 1
Journalist-How our Readers contact with you?
https://web.facebook.com/Mac-AK-109493171460489
https://www.instagram.com/mac_and_a.k/
YouTube
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/ar/album/dont-play-with-me-feat-king-cydal-money%24mont-aka-mr/1623200079?l=en
Website
www.eandkmusicgroup.com
Billboard Top Hip-hop
Marc “Mayjah” Payne Elevates in the game with New Album Levels of Payne, Featuring Rap Icon Shorty T and Kung Fu Rasta Sifu Bosco
LOS ANGELES, CA – Rising hip-hop artist and social media influencer Marc “Mayjah” Payne unveils his latest studio album, Levels of Payne, a boundary-pushing musical journey that blends West Coast lyricism, Southern grit, and Caribbean soul. With high-profile features from New Orleans rap legend Shorty T and St. Lucia’s reggae ambassador Sifu Bosco, this project solidifies Mayjah Payne’s position as one of the most dynamic new voices in global hip-hop.
Hailing from the West Side of Los Angeles, Mayjah Payne built his reputation not only as a gifted lyricist but also as a multi-talented producer and storyteller. Known for using hip-hop as his artform to speak on life, struggle, and ambition, he’s no stranger to growth. Levels of Payne reflects that evolution—a matured, sharpened sound fused with international influence and raw authenticity.
The album’s standout track, “Don’t Mean Nothin,” pairs Mayjah’s slick bars with Shorty T’s Southern bounce and storytelling, forming a gritty anthem about surviving through adversity and rising to the top. Meanwhile, “Ashes To Ashes, Dust to Dust” brings a melodic twist as Sifu Bosco’s reggae harmonies flow effortlessly with Mayjah’s laid-back delivery, celebrating heritage, unity, and peace through music.
With Levels of Payne, Mayjah Payne continues to expand his creative legacy. His previous projects have earned airplay on over 72 radio stations and charted Top 40 on 34 of them, and this latest release is already generating buzz across streaming platforms. Known for his high-energy performances and verified Instagram reach, Mayjah is taking this project worldwide to connect with audiences from California to the Caribbean.
Critics are already calling Levels of Payne his most complete and ambitious work to date. “This is for the art – this is for the culture,” says Payne. “It’s not just about where I’m from—it’s about where we’re all going. Music should bring people together. That’s what this album is all about.”
Levels of Payne is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL. For fans of authentic hip-hop with a global heartbeat, this album is a must-listen.
Follow Marc “Mayjah” Payne on Instagram and other social media platforms @MayjahPayne and visit www.mayjahpayne.com for interviews, bookings, and press inquiries.
Watch “The Streets Don’t Love You” from the project “Levels of Payne” here below on the @MayjahPayne instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/
Bianca Ciocca is back with an electrifying new single, “BED,” released on Valentine’s Day in collaboration with Chiato Records. This track is a mesmerizing fusion of Afro drill and sultry vibes, delivering a hypnotic rhythm that pulses with raw emotion and bold energy.
With lyrics like “Te busco y siempre estás, ya no hay marcha atrás” (I look for you and you are always there; there is no turning back), Bianca captures the essence of irresistible attraction and deep connection. The song’s smooth yet powerful beat makes it the perfect late-night anthem—whether you’re cruising through city lights or lost in an intimate moment.
🔥 “BED” is now available on all streaming platforms! Don’t miss out—stream, share, and spread the love.
💖 Listen Here: https://song.link/pwrggtx83z6vx
Bianca Ciocca: A Sonic Nomad Pushing Boundaries
Italian-German powerhouse Bianca Ciocca is more than just a musician—she’s a visionary artist whose creativity spans across singing, composing, acting, dancing, and fashion design. Based in Berlin, her music is a reflection of her nomadic soul, seamlessly blending elements of Hip-Hop, Trap, Latin, Dancehall, and Drum & Bass.
Her dynamic stage presence—whether performing solo, with a band, or as a DJ—has captivated audiences across the globe. Currently on a worldwide tour, Bianca is also preparing to unveil her upcoming album, “Bubble of Screams,” a deeply personal project inspired by her first Berlin winter, where she faced darkness, ghosts, and transformation through music.
With performances spanning Mexico, the USA, Europe, Africa, and India, Bianca has made her mark internationally, collaborating with acclaimed artists such as Tribuman, Nash, Maxi Roots, Sick Boy Simon, and Toy Selectah.
Following the success of her last album, “Jungle Tropical Feeling,” Bianca continues to break barriers, using her music as a force of empowerment—representing women, human rights, and fearless self-expression through the Girrrlx Power collective.
💖 Stay Connected with Bianca Ciocca: https://linktr.ee/biancacioccamusic
💽 Discover More at Chiato Records: https://www.chiatorecords.com
Billboard Top Hip-hop
WeslyNorth: The Eclectic Artist’s Journey from The New Hippie Nation to “I Take It Back”
WeslyNorth was born in Salisbury, MD on the 3rd of December in 1988 as William Hudgins Named after his father, who was an army vet and later became a local DJ. William was raised in the church, as his mother is a devout Jehovah Witness who sung in the choir regularly.
Born into a musically inclined household, WeslyNorth developed a love for the art at a young age. At the age of 18, WeslyNorth started a collective of artists and musicians in DC called The New Hippie Nation. The collective grew into something that still thrives in DC where most know him as Willy Wesly.
His creative process consists mainly of views that allow his writing to flow. Bright rooms with windows, pops of vibrant color and tea with honey help him focus on curating the songs he’s known for, but don’t box him in. His style is eclectic as he pulls from artist inspiration he’s heard his entire life. Growing up listening to music from Fred Hammond, OutKast, De La Soul, J Dilla, Slum Village and Nate Dogg. Artists like James Fauntleroy, Jon Bellion, beaux nox, aldae, Isaiah Huron, Dijon and Sunsetto are just a few of the many he aspires to today.
His new album is titled “I take it back. An apology to those he has not shown his best to. It is a hopeful reverse of bad karma for anything negative he’s done or said. He sees this album as a way to say, “If I’ve ever hurt you or hurt myself..I take it back, maybe I meant it in the moment but I take it all back now.”
The album is a mix of melodic soul pieces that feature stadium sounds and choir harmonies. It is a cinematic, feel good, road trip, morning mood type of vibe that we cannot wait to hear.
Marc “Mayjah” Payne Elevates in the game with New Album Levels of Payne, Featuring Rap Icon Shorty T and Kung Fu Rasta Sifu Bosco
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