Mark Anthony Joseph Morrison (born 12 May 1974) He is of Barbadian descent. Morrison later lived in Leicester, England, until moving to the US city of West Palm Beach, Florida, at age 11. After graduating from Palm Beach Lakes High School in 1990, Morrison returned to Leicester. 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 (a company known for its success with Irish country music artists such as Daniel O'Donnell).

He later signed to footballer 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.

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 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.

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. 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.

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.

On 20 October 2013, he released a single titled "N.A.N.G. 2.0" featuring Crooked I and Shonie.

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". Nevada's version features the re-recorded vocals of Morrison, and additional vocals from American rapper Fetty Wap.

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".

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.

Personal life

In October 2020, Morrison publicly stated that he would consider challenging Peter Soulsby to become the next Mayor of Leicester. His bid ended in September 2022.

In October 2022, Morrison bought a house in Florida, paying $2 million in cash. He bought a second home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in December 2023.

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. He was later cleared of the offensive weapon charge.

He was convicted of affray for his part in a brawl resulting in one fatality and sentenced to community service. Morrison was later 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. While in prison, Morrison reportedly converted to Islam and attempted to change his name to Abdul Rahman. Also in 1998, Morrison was banned from driving for six months and fined £1,380 after twice being caught driving without a licence.

In 2002, Morrison was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and car theft. He was released on bail, but a policeman was later arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe from Morrison in return for his release.

In 2009, Morrison was arrested for an assault in London.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Return of the Mack (1996)
  • Innocent Man (2006)

Awards and nominations

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! Year

! Organization

! Nominee / work

! style="width:21em;" |Category

!Result

!

|-

! scope="row" | 2025

| We Love Awards

| "Okayyy We Back"<br>

| Rap / Hip Hop Song of the Year

|

| rowspan="1" |

|}

See also

  • List of one-hit wonders in the United States

References

  • Mack Life Records