'It's Necessary': Mack Wilds On Consistency, Life, and Black Creatives
Layered with a charming disposition and mesmerizing swagger is the multitalented Mack Wilds – whose credits roll well beyond on-screen.
Born and raised in Staten Island, Mack (born Tristan Wilds) entered our hearts (and #MCE-dreams) as a teenage actor, starring in the HBO series The Wire and the CW’s 90210. He then commanded our attention as the lead in Adele’s music video for “Hello,” which rapidly received over 2.3 billion views – becoming the fastest music video to do so.
Wilds is indeed a creative. One that has been successful in every lane he has entered, all while remaining humble and kind–finding the time to inspire the up-and-coming at conferences like CultureCon.
“To be able to tell our stories, to give our knowledge, our wisdom to those that are to come after us, so that they don’t have to fall into the same pitfalls we did, it’s necessary,” Wilds shared with TNJ.
Simultaneously, Mack is forging a path for himself in the music industry.
In 2013, the singer/songwriter received a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album for New York: A Love Story. With collaborations from revered artists like Doug E. Fresh and Method Man, that debut project embodied the soundtrack life tends to provide.
After all, it’s where Mack draws a lot of his inspiration from.
“The one thing constant about change is life. So, if you’re reaching towards life as inspiration, because it constantly changes, so will your music.”
Whether in the booth working on this third album, on-screen, or keeping it real as one-third of the Guys Next Door podcast, Wilds admirably remains consistent. It’s key–and it’s the best advice he says he can give.
“Enough water droplets can break through steal,” he told TNJ. “So, if you stay consistent, you’ll get to wherever you want to be.”
Featured Photography Courtesy: Mark Clennon, The CC NYC.