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Published Monday, November 02, 2009 in Local

Coweta rap artist to audition for BET

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

A Coweta County rap music artist and Northgate High School student is ready to head up to New York to audition for BET television network this month and hopefully get a shot at the big time.

"I've been rapping and singing since I was 9 years old," said sophomore Kendall "K-Mack" Mack from his home at Arbor Springs subdivision.

"I'd describe it as Christian pop and hip-hop," he said.

K-Mack has set up a number of Web sites for his music, including pages on myspace.com, Twitter, and blackplanet.com. Songs he's posted include "Hater Drop" and "Cool As I Wanna Be."

"I think those songs describe who I am," said K-Mack. "I want to set a positive example."

That means no cursing in his songs, he said. K-Mack looks to Will Smith as an example of how rappers can be successful without pandering or resorting to stereotypes.

"I can see myself as blessed and successful as he is, maybe some day," said K-Mack. The key is to work hard and maintain a lot of positive energy, he said.

"Of course, none of us are perfect, but we can move in that direction," said K-Mack.

He recently performed for his high school, and received rave reviews from his fellow students. A video of the homecoming event was posted on YouTube.

K-Mack said he can already see his songs having a positive impact on his sister and four brothers.

"They don't perform, but the little one is trying to get there," said K-Mack. "He's three years old and he knows all my songs. He can sing every one of them."

His grandmother, Mary Mack, is one of his managers.

"I am very proud of him," she said. "I am so proud that he is trying to do something with his life. He's not going down the wrong road, like so many people do these days.

"We're trying to keep him away from all the negative stuff like guns and all of that stuff. He doesn't want to go down that road," she said.

"And we're trying not to let this all go to his head," said his father, Robin Ligon.

One way to make sure that doesn't happen is by keeping him grounded in the real world even as he works at night in his home studio on his first CD. During the day you can find K-Mack working at the Chick-fil-A at Thomas Crossroads.

But Ligon said that he feels it's only a matter of time before his son is discovered and signed to a record label.

"I was kind of surprised when I heard his music. I was surprised by how good it was," said Ligon. "I just never realized."

That's why he supports the idea of going to New York to audition for BET for a chance to be on national television, Ligon said.

"He's too good not to go," he said.

Ligon said he appreciates the fact that his son wants his family to be included.

"I hope everyone can enjoy my music. It's all about who I am. I think people will love it after they hear it," said K-Mack.

When asked what the secret to a successful audition might be, K-Mack had a quick reply.

"Prayer," he said. "That's the key to success."