SHAZAM

In a direct inversion of how things normally work in society, white rappers tend to get something of a hard time. Eminem aside, it’s often an uphill struggle for them to be taken seriously and avoid accusations of cultural misappropriation and, even worse, hipsterism.

Mac Miller takes on these challenges in the simplest way possible: by banging out killer rhymes over killer beats. He doesn’t claim to be a gangster, but has a real connection to the streets of the Philadelphia community he grew up in. Case in point, ‘Frick Park Market’ is named after the sandwich shop where the young Mac once worked. He even filmed the track’s video in the actual establishment.

“There are a s**tload of people who think that I’m a f**king rich white kid from the suburbs who makes music for college parties,” Miller told Complex. “I hate college parties and I’m not from the suburbs. I’m from the city, but I’m not necessarily saying I’m from the hood. My home was safe, but right down the street wasn’t. I deal with the scrutiny and let people say what they want. The further I get, the more people will get the real story.”

But all this would be irrelevant if Miller’s music didn’t stand on its own two feet. ‘Frick Park Market’ is a tremendous showcase for the man’s skills. He spits dense, pop-culture flavoured rhymes with just the right amount of braggadocio. He’s clearly a confident dude who knows the game, but he’s not going to endlessly ram it down your throat. But what really sets the track apart is the incredible production, from Philly duo and former Wiz Khalifa collaborators ID Labs.

The verses are built around some beautifully squishy synths and skeletal woodblock percussion, while shiny space-age stabs punctuate the chorus. They dial it down a notch at the midway point, dropping the beat altogether and filling the space with some woozy bubbles and bleeps. The production alone makes this track well worth a listen. Miller’s rhymes are the icing on the cake.

AUTHOR: Huw Thomas