Marcus' Old School Jam of the Week #6 - Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison

Originally posted April 3rd, 2009

Let me preface this one by saying the video isn't THAT exciting. There aren't any rings of fire, light up floors or distracting seagulls in this one. Instead, the only really notable thing about the video is that I think the whole grimy British street look predates Guy Ritchie, but most likely not someone else Ritchie probably ripped off. Anyways, the reason this song gets a coveted jam spot is because it is quite simply amazing. If I were a DJ (god-willing?) I'd still be playing this one and people would dance because we are only human and not just beautiful robots.

I present..>THE RETURN.....of the Mack.



Things to Note:

* What's that you say!? He's driving on the wrong side of the road!? WRONG. Mr. Morrison is British. In fact, he is the first black British male solo artist to hit number one in the UK. So good for him, because I can't really think of that many others who fit that specific distinction. Good job...you beat Seal.

*So much gold jewelry. So much teeth whitening. So much black leather. SO MUCH JOY.

*A snake. COOOOOOOOL. (1:43, among other places)

*Mark Morrison, in addition to being a precursor to Akon (thanks a lot), is also hilariously adept at failing at life. There's been a lot of jail time and the like (stabbing I believe), but the best was from when he paid someone else to do his community service for him while he fled to Barbados. Winner.

*I laugh every time I hear the "Oh My God" part of the chorus. Without a doubt some of the best few seconds of human artistic creation. The UK should think of incorporating it into "God Save the Queen."

*YouTube Comment Highlights:
a) Good beat mack.
RIP wherever legends live

b)this song is about 9/11 never forget

* The trend so far in these clips is that I tend to yearn for furniture included in the videos. This go-round, I'm hankering for that fancy brown leather desk chair. I bet it is from Drexel Heritage and I bet Morrison eventually had to sell it to keep on living.

*During the second chorus he either says "Oh Little Girl...what's my prize" or "Oh Little Girl...wants my pearl." Make of that what you will. I certainly haven't.

*I like seeing these "promo only" screens. They make me feel like I'm watching a video on a Foot Locker television or on The Box.

*I ask you kindly not to burn down my house since this is going to be in your head until mid-June.

So what do you all think? Is the Mack gunning for a second return? Let us pray.