 |
Mark Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 May 1974 Hanover, West Germany [1] |
| Origin | Leicester, Leicestershire, England |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | markmorrison |
Mark Morrison (born 12 May 1974) [1] is a German-born British singer, best known for his 1996 platinum hit song "Return of the Mack", which was immediately met with success upon its release in several European countries. In the following year, the song peaked at No. 2 in the United States.
Morrison's first official recording was the 1993 vinyl release "Where Is Our Love", pressed on his own private Joe'Mel label.
In mid-1995, Morrison released his debut single, "Crazy", which became a Top 20 hit in the UK and was a club favourite. [1] The follow-up single, "Let's Get Down", also entered the Top 40. They were followed in the spring of 1996 by "Return of the Mack", which became a smash international hit, spending two weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart.
His debut album, also titled Return of the Mack , followed and became a multi-platinum success. It reached number four in the UK chart and sold 3 million albums worldwide. It spun off several more hit singles over the next year: "Crazy", "Trippin'", "Horny" and "Moan & Groan" would all reach the UK Top 10, making him the first artist in British pop history to have five Top 10 hits from a debut album.
Although his career was going well, Morrison was constantly in trouble with the police. In 1997, he was imprisoned. The same year he received numerous nominations: four Brit Award nominations, a Mercury Prize nomination, an MTV Europe Music Award nomination, and five MOBO Award nominations. "Return of the Mack" began to climb its way to No. 2 on the American Billboard charts, receiving platinum status. It stayed on the Billboard charts for a lengthy 40 weeks. Morrison had one further minor US hit, 1997's "Moan & Groan," which went to number 76.
Morrison performed at the 1997 Brit Awards. The performance influenced WEA and Morrison to release Only God Can Judge Me , a nine-track EP which contains live performances, interviews, prayers and three full-length songs, including "Who's the Mack!", which reached No. 13 in the UK.
Morrison appeared on the 1999 Brit Awards where he presented an award, introduced Whitney Houston and announced his return to music. In September 1999, a single titled "Best Friend" (featuring Conner Reeves and Gabrielle) became Morrison's ninth Top 40 hit single, reaching No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart. [2] The following year, it was announced by Billboard that Morrison had signed a five-year worldwide deal with Death Row Records founder Suge Knight, making him the first, and only, European (British) artist to be signed with Death Row Records, in a deal which saw Death Row Records UK operating as an independent record label in conjunction with the Ritz Music Group [3] (a company known for its success with Irish country music artists such as Daniel O'Donnell). [4]
He later signed to soccer player Kevin Campbell's 2 Wikid label in 2003. His only release for the label, a single entitled "Just a Man"/"Backstabbers", was a minor UK hit, reaching No. 48 in the UK Singles Chart in August 2004. [5]
In May 2006, Morrison released the limited-edition CD/DVD album entitled Innocent Man in the United Kingdom on his private label, Mack Life Records. The title track, "Innocent Man" (featuring DMX) was released in March 2006. It was well received and reached No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2007, he was featured on hip-hop artist Cassidy's single titled "Innocent Man (Misunderstood)" from the album B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story . The track sampled Morrison's vocals from "Innocent Man" and charted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
On 29 January 2007, he released the single titled "Dance 4 Me" (featuring Tanya Stephens). It was the fourth single to be released from his album Innocent Man. The official music video was directed by Ray Kay. [6]
In 2012, Morrison appeared as a guest feature on Houston rapper Trae tha Truth's "I'm On 2.0" which featured notable rappers Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B, Tyga, Gudda Gudda and Bun B. A music video for "I'm On 2.0" starring Morrison and all artists featured was released on 3 June. [7] Also in June 2012, he announced the release of a new single titled "Ain't No Good". The single was set to be released 29 July 2013 and paid homage to the charity Refuge. The single was unsuccessful, and shelved before release. It would ultimately remain unreleased. [8]
In June 2013, Morrison released the music video to "I Am What I Am" shot by DIS Guise of Visionnaire Pictures, with the release date set for the single on iTunes of 1 September 2013. [9] [10]
On 20 October 2013, he released a single titled "N.A.N.G. 2.0" featuring Crooked I and Shonie. [11]
On 7 July 2014, Morrison released an EP titled I Am What I Am . The EP included the singles "I Am What I Am" and "N.A.N.G. 2.0", with five additional new songs.
In September 2016, American DJ Nevada remixed "Return of the Mack" for its 20th anniversary, retitling it "The Mack". [12] [13] [14] [15] Nevada's version features the re-recorded vocals of Morrison, and additional vocals from American rapper Fetty Wap. [16]
In May 2017, a series of Burger King commercials for Mac and Cheetos featured a remix of Morrison's classic, entitled "Return of the Mac and Cheetos".
In July 2020, McDonald's featured "Return of the Mack" in a UK television commercial, as part of a post-COVID-19 lockdown promotional campaign to mark the resumption of services and the gradual reopening of restaurants.
In 2021, Morrison was featured alongside Chris Brown on G-Eazy's single "Provide", as the song samples "Return of the Mack". [17] [18] [19]
In October 2022, Morrison, Post Malone and Sickick released a mashup of "Cooped Up" and "Return of the Mack". The song went viral on social media, then was made available for retail purchase. [20]
Morrison has faced various criminal charges during his career, including a 1997 conviction for attempting to bring a firearm aboard an airliner, for which he served three months in jail just as his hit song "Return of the Mack" began rising up the US Billboard charts. [1] [21] In 1998, he failed to appear in court on charges of possessing an offensive weapon, choosing to instead fly to Barbados. He was arrested and remanded into custody upon his return to the United Kingdom. [22] [23] He was later cleared of the offensive weapon charge. [24]
He was convicted of affray for his part in a brawl resulting in one fatality and sentenced to community service. [21] Morrison later was incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs for a year for paying a lookalike (Gabriel Maferika) to perform his court-appointed community service in his stead, while Morrison himself went on tour. [21] [25] While in prison, Morrison reportedly converted to Islam and attempted to change his name to Abdul Rahman. [26] Also in 1998, Morrison was banned from driving for six months and fined £1,380 after twice being caught driving without a licence. [27]
In 2002, Morrison was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and car theft. [28] He was released on bail, but a policeman was later arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe from Morrison in return for his release. [28] Morrison failed to appear in court to face the charges and a warrant was issued for his arrest. [28]
In 2004, he was arrested and spent a night in custody, after a fracas in which a platinum and diamond medallion was snatched from around his neck during a confrontation at a Leicester nightclub. [29]
In 2009, Morrison was arrested for an assault in London. [30]
Morrison is of Barbadian descent. [31] In October 2020, Morrison publicly stated that he would consider challenging Peter Soulsby to become the next Mayor of Leicester. [32] His bid ended in September 2022. [33]
In October 2022, Morrison bought a house in Florida, paying $2 million in cash. [34] He bought a second home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in December 2023. [35]
Erasure are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1985, consisting of lead vocalist and songwriter Andy Bell with songwriter, producer and keyboardist Vince Clarke, previously co-founder of the band Depeche Mode and a member of synth-pop duo Yazoo. From their fourth single, "Sometimes" (1986), Erasure established themselves on the UK Singles Chart, becoming one of the most successful acts of the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. From 1986 to 2007, the pair achieved 24 consecutive top-40 entries in the UK singles chart. By 2009, 34 of their 37 chart-eligible singles and EPs had made the UK top 40, including 17 climbing into the top 10. At the 1989 Brit Awards, Erasure won the Brit Award for Best British Group.
Angie Brown is a British singer and songwriter from Brixton, South London.
"Return of the Mack" is a song written and recorded by British R&B singer Mark Morrison, released by WEA and Atlantic as the third single from his debut album by the same name (1996). The song was produced by Morrison with Phil Chill and Cutfather & Joe, and topped the UK Singles Chart a month after its release, then became a European and Australian hit. In the United States, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Morrison’s highest charting hit in the U.S., and went platinum. The music video for the song, directed by Jake Nava, was released in the United Kingdom in March 1996 and in the United States in February 1997. Billboard magazine featured "Return of the Mack" in their lists of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019 and "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023.
James Morrison Catchpole is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He rose to recognition for his 2006 debut single "You Give Me Something", which peaked within the top five on the UK Singles Chart, received platinum certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and became a hit song in several European regions. Following its success, he signed with Polydor Records to release his debut studio album Undiscovered (2006), which peaked atop the UK Albums Chart. At the Brit Awards 2007, Morrison won the Brit Award for Best British Male from three total nominations, namely British Breakthrough Act and Song of the Year for the aforementioned.
Arnold George Dorsey, known professionally as Engelbert Humperdinck, is a British pop singer described by AllMusic as "one of the finest middle-of-the-road balladeers around". He achieved international prominence in 1967 with his recording of "Release Me".
Mac and Katie Kissoon are a pop soul duo, consisting of brother and sister Mac Kissoon and Katie Kissoon.
Return of the Mack is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Mark Morrison. It was first released through his Mack Life Records imprint in the United Kingdom and then released by Atlantic Records in the United States, with distribution via Warner Music Group on 22 April 1996. The album includes a well-known popular song "Return of the Mack", which stayed for a remarkable 41 weeks on the US Billboard charts. Upon its release, Return of the Mack received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Morrison's strong voice and entertaining songs, but described the album as having weak production. The album stayed for 38 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, where it debuted and peaked at number 4, and became a certified platinum by British Phonographic Industry (BPI). On the US Billboard 200, the album reached a peak of a number 76. The album has since sold over three million copies worldwide.
"Horny" is a song by British R&B musician Mark Morrison. It was released in December 1996 as the sixth single from his debut album, Return of the Mack. The song features guest rap vocals by Q-Tee and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart. The song also contains an uncredited sample of "Encore" by Cheryl Lynn.
The Script are an Irish rock band formed in 2001 in Dublin. The band currently consists of Danny O'Donoghue, Glen Power, Benjamin Sargent and Ben Weaver (guitar). Mark Sheehan was a member of the band up until his death in 2023. The band moved to London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic and released their first album The Script in August 2008, preceded by the debut single "We Cry" as well as other singles such as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", "Breakeven" and "Before the Worst". The album peaked at number one in both Ireland and the UK. Their next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number two in Australia and number three in the United States. Some of the hit singles from the albums include "For the First Time", "Nothing", "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes". The band's fifth studio album, Freedom Child, was released on 1 September 2017, and features the UK Top 20 single "Rain". Their sixth studio album, Sunsets & Full Moons, was released on 8 November 2019, and features the single "The Last Time". A Greatest Hits album was released on 1 October 2021.
Scott Christopher Shephard is a British music industry executive and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of So, Let's Talk and former President of Europe for American record label, Global Music Group.
"BedRock" is the second single by hip hop group/record label Young Money Entertainment from their debut collaboration album, We Are Young Money (2009). It is performed by acts that were signed under Young Money, including rap verses by Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj as her debut single, Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, with the chorus performed by Lloyd. "BedRock" is also featured as a bonus track on the Japanese, New Zealand, and the "Complete Edition" 2020 reissue editions of Nicki Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday and is also featured on Lil Wayne's greatest hits album I Am Music.
The discography of British R&B singer Mark Morrison includes two studio albums, two EPs and 20 singles.
I Am What I Am is the second extended play by English hip hop and R&B musical recording artist Mark Morrison. It was released in the United Kingdom on MackLife Records on 7 July 2014. The EP has received mixed to positive reviews from critics.
Death Row Records full discography with all albums, compilations, EP's & singles release.
Willie Junior Maxwell II, better known by his stage name Fetty Wap, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He quickly rose to mainstream prominence after his 2014 song "Trap Queen" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with 300 Entertainment, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Two of his 2015 singles, "679" and "My Way", peaked within the top ten of the chart; all three—as well as the top 40 single "Again"—preceded his eponymous debut studio album (2015), which peaked atop the Billboard 200. During this time, he became distinctive for his melodic blending of singing and rapping, lighthearted lyrics, "bouncy" production, and exclamation of various catchphrases such as "1738!"
"My Way" is the third single by American rapper and singer Fetty Wap, featuring Remy Boyz's RGF Productions' member Monty, from Wap's self-titled debut album. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
American rapper Fetty Wap has released three studio albums, two extended plays, twelve mixtapes, 68 singles, and six promotional singles.
Fetty Wap is the debut studio album by American rapper Fetty Wap. It was released on September 25, 2015, by RGF Productions and 300 Entertainment. Both Monty and M80, who were members of the Remy Boyz, contributed as featured guest artists on the album.
Jonathan Dean White, known professionally as Nevada, is an American musician, DJ, producer, singer, songwriter, remixer, and record label owner. He is best known for his remix of Mark Morrison's "Return of the Mack", titled "The Mack", which achieved double platinum certification, and his solo work as a vocalist and producer, as well as for being a member of EDM duo Capital Kings.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |