Craig Mack

Craig Jamieson Mack (May 10, 1970 – March 12, 2018) was an American rapper. He is best known for his tenure with Bad Boy Records, during which he released his 1994 single "Flava in Ya Ear" (1994), which peaked within the Billboard Hot 100's top ten. The song preceded his debut studio album Project: Funk Da World (1994), which spawned his second top 40 single, "Get Down". His second album Operation: Get Down (1997) was released by Scotti Brothers Records.

Later in his life, Mack joined the Overcomer Ministry in South Carolina. Mack died in 2018 from HIV/AIDS at the age of 47.

Early life

Craig Jamieson Mack was born on May 10, 1970 in The Bronx, and raised in Brentwood, Long Island.

Career

He began rapping as a teenager under the name MC EZ. His first single, "Get Retarded", was released in 1988 via Fresh Records. The single was backed with and credited as MC EZ & Troup. Mack became friends with fellow Long Island hip hop act EPMD and eventually went on tour with the duo, doing jobs as a roadie. After a few years without forward movement in his recording career and EPMD's breakup, Mack took advantage of an opportunity that Alvin Toney made possible for him, to rap for Sean Combs.

Mack freestyled for Combs as a demonstration of his skills out in front of a club in Manhattan. Mack then secured a record deal with Combs's newly founded label with the help of his friends Busta Rhymes, Len Len, Scenario and Sande Kodwaney, Bad Boy Records.