McKenzie “FattMack” Haynes is an artist from Mobile, Alabama, who, over the course of his five-year career, has become a staple in Southern Hip-Hop for his genre-bending music and transcendent songwriting. His debut album, Rookie of the Year, was released in December 2020, followed by The Villain in October 2021, back-to-back projects that emphasized lived-in storytelling and established FattMack as a leader of the next generation of Alabama’s quickly-expanding rap scene. Between 2023 and 2024, he released a series of self-issued projects, including Fatt, Money Music Murder, and Mr. Did It By Hisself 2. Off Money Music Murder came “BLRDD” (12M+ Streams), his most streamed song to date and a flip of Mac DeMarco’s “Chamber of Reflection”, establishing a common theme of alternative samples throughout his catalogue. After signing to indie labels Great Day Records and Santa Anna, FattMack released TMK in 2024 as his label debut, a 12-track project featuring Raq Baby and Lil Poppa. In 2025, he issued two more full-length albums, Here to Stay and Untreated Trauma, eventually leading into a surprise opening slot for NBA YoungBoy on the Charlotte stop of his sold-out nationwide MASA Tour, proving that he’s in the midst of making the jump from a regional force to a national superstar. Now, with his forthcoming album Mckenzie, he turns the focus inward, presenting his most personal and autobiographical work to date.

Raised in Southern Alabama, FattMack’s early exposure to music came through singing soprano in his church choir, an experience that introduced him to the importance of melody and harmony. Surrounded by a distinct regional rap sound he viewed as overly aggressive, FattMack gravitated toward the emotionally-driven styles of Juice WRLD and Trippie Redd from the heyday of SoundCloud. Those influences guided him toward the quickly developing genre of melodic rap, pioneered by artists like Rod Wave and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, a space where his interest in singing and rap could converge, all while channeling his emotions into music. His core fanbase connects most with his moments of vulnerability, moments when his music favors self-reflection instead of performance, creating a universal appeal that transcends background –– a dynamic heard across songs like “IRL” (4M+ Streams) and “2 Redbones” (1.5M+ Streams) where he leans into melody and emotional specificity. His growing connection to fans has cultivated a devoted base that mirrors the grassroots energy of artists like NBA YoungBoy, with fans relating directly to FattMack, seeing him transform their shared experiences into music.

This past year, FattMack relocated to Atlanta, finding himself in an endlessly supportive creative environment for collaboration and growth. The move coincided with the birth of his daughter, a turning point that has reshaped his priorities and added another level of depth to his writing. Following the birth of his daughter, FattMack is gearing for the release of his forthcoming self-titled album MCKENZIE, a project positioned as his most personal work to date, serving as a chronicle of his life from childhood to fatherhood. The record, produced with his core team Link With Trev and Wicked is an amalgamation of his competing music influences, oscillating between soul rap, melodic rap music and a distinct blend of autotune drenched emo-trap. Paying homage to his Alabama roots, the project holds onto the Southern base he grew up with while reflecting on the life he’s living now.

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