:Mach-Hommy
{{Short description|Haitian-American rapper}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Mach-Hommy
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Newark, New Jersey
| origin = Vailsburg; Port-au-Prince
| genre = Hip-hop
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = {{hlist|Mach-Hommy (self-released)|Griselda Records}}
| website = {{plainlist|
- {{URL|https://www.mach-hommy.com/}}
- {{URL|https://www.billy-z.com/}}
}}
}}
Mach-Hommy is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for concealing his real name and face in all public appearances,{{Cite web|first=Paul|last=Thompson|title=Mach-Hommy: The Man Behind the Mask|url=https://www.gq.com/story/mach-hommy-balens-cho-interview|publisher=GQ|date=December 9, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} a practice that has led him to be described as "one of hip-hop's most elusive artists".{{Cite web|first=Dylan|last=Green|title=Mach-Hommy on Knowing His Own Worth and Paying It Forward|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/mach-hommy-interview-pray-for-haiti-legacy/|publisher=Pitchfork|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
Mach-Hommy has gained a cult following as a result of his work ethic and sense of mystery. His lyrics are often heavily related to the social and political history of his Haitian heritage. Though he predominantly raps in English, he also frequently incorporates Haitian Kreyòl into his lyrics. He disallows his lyrics from being posted on lyric sites, describing such republishing as the sites "monetizing" his work,{{Cite web|first=Andre |last=Gee |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mach-hommy-interview-new-album-1234609069/ |title=Don't Call Mach-Hommy 'Reclusive' |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=October 13, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2023}} and he charges hundreds and even thousands of dollars for his releases, many of which are not available on streaming services.
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Early life
Mach-Hommy was raised predominantly in Newark, New Jersey, but also spent much of his childhood in Port-au-Prince. His father was a folk guitarist, and Mach credits his father's musical style as an influence on his own. The first music Mach recorded was at the age of 13, when he performed a freestyle over the beat to Raekwon's "Verbal Intercourse".
In his early career, Mach found the music recording process to be an "unhealthy" environment and sought to take up filmmaking instead. However, at the encouragement of several Griselda members, he performed a verse for the song "Beloved", which motivated him to begin rapping again.{{Cite web|first=Paul |last=Thompson |title=The Making of Mach-Hommy, Part 2: Beloved |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/03/01/mach-hommy-interview-cover-story-part-2-beloved-2023 |publisher=The Fader |date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=March 1, 2023}}
Career
Mach-Hommy first received widespread attention after the release of his 2016 album, H.B.O. (Haitian Body Odor), which he sold via Instagram. Mach pressed only 187 copies of the H.B.O. CD and sold them for $300 apiece, before eventually uploading the album to SoundCloud in 2017.{{Cite web|first=Andy|last=James|title=Meet Mach-Hommy, Earl Sweatshirt's New Favorite Rapper|url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-03-10-mach-hommy-hbo|publisher=DJBooth|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=March 21, 2022}} He released numerous other albums in the following years, many of which were sold at high prices through services like Bandcamp and never released on streaming services.
In 2021, Mach-Hommy released his album Pray for Haiti on most streaming services. Mach stated that he would donate his share of profits from the album to the Pray for Haiti Trust Fund, a charity he established to fund educational services and institutions in Haiti. Pray for Haiti also brought Mach a greater level of attention from the music press, with Pitchfork honoring the album with a "Best New Music" award and Rolling Stone describing it as "a modern hip-hop classic".{{Cite web|first=Paul A.|last=Thompson|title=Mach-Hommy: Pray for Haiti Album Review|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mach-hommy-pray-for-haiti/|publisher=Pitchfork|date=May 27, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}{{Cite web|first=Jayson|last=Buford|title=How Mach-Hommy and Westside Gunn Made 'Pray for Haiti' a Modern Hip-Hop Classic|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mach-hommy-westside-gunn-interview-pray-for-haiti-1187804/|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=June 22, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
Mach-Hommy has intermittently associated with the Griselda Records label. Though Mach was once considered part of the Griselda collective, he separated from them after a falling-out with Westside Gunn, and as of 2017 Mach-Hommy was unaffiliated with the label. Mach and Gunn eventually reconciled in late 2020, as Westside Gunn served as an executive producer of Pray for Haiti.
On May 17, 2024, Mach-Hommy independently released #Richaxxhaitian. The album contained features from Kaytranada, 03 Greedo, Roc Marciano, and Black Thought, among others.{{Cite web |last=Horvath |first=Zachary |date=2024-05-17 |title=Mach-Hommy Puts On For His Homeland With "#RICHAXXHAITIAN" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/803177-mach-hommy-richaxxhaitian-hip-hop-news |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} The album received positive reviews from critics.{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=2024-05-23 |title=Mach-Hommy "#RICHAXXHAITIAN" Album Review |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/804476-mach-hommy-richaxxhaitian-review-new-album-hip-hop-news |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Matthew |title=Mach-Hommy: #RICHAXXHAITIAN |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mach-hommy-richaxxhaitian/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
Personal life
In an interview with Billboard, Mach stated that he speaks every Romance language.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/mach-hommy-interview-dj-muggs-8492427/|title=Mach-Hommy on His Approach to Collaborations, Staying True to Artistic Principles & Upcoming Album With DJ Muggs|first=Sweeney|last=Kovar|magazine=Billboard |date=March 15, 2019}} He is also an avid fisher and hunter.{{cite magazine |last1=Gee |first1=Andre |title=Don't Call Mach-Hommy 'Reclusive' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mach-hommy-interview-new-album-1234609069/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 June 2024 |date=13 October 2022}}
Influences
Mach-Hommy cites a wide range of writers as influential upon him, including William Shakespeare, Chinua Achebe, George Orwell, Lorraine Hansberry, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Dante. He also cites political and philosophical thinkers such as Malcolm X, C. L. R. James, Thomas Aquinas, and Friedrich Nietzsche.{{Cite web|first=Paul |last=Thompson |title=The Making of Mach-Hommy, Part 1: Designated Unicorn |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/02/28/mach-hommy-interview-cover-story-part-1-designated-unicorn-2023 |publisher=The Fader |date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=February 28, 2023}} He cites Prodigy and Mobb Deep as musical influences.{{Citation |title=The FADER Cover Story {{!}} Mach-Hommy: "Prodigy" | date=2 March 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKXzuMl19b8 |access-date=2023-10-26 |language=en}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
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- Goon Grizzle (2004, re-released in 2017)
- F.Y.I. (2013, remastered in 2016){{cite web |url=https://mach-hommy.bandcamp.com/music|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102024359/https://mach-hommy.bandcamp.com/music |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |title=Music | Mach Hommy }}
- ETA: Greek Fest (2015)
- H.B.O. (Haitian Body Odor) (2016)
- Dollar Menu {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2017){{Cite web | url=https://ourgenerationmusic.com/news/mach-hommy-drops-2017s-the-god-fahim-collab-dollar-menu-on-all-dsps/ | title=Mach-Hommy drops collab tape with the God Fahim 'Dollar Menu' on all DSPS | date=January 21, 2022 }}
- Dollar Menu 2 {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2017)
- The Spook... {{small|(with Knxwledge)}} (2017){{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1940593/stream-mach-hommy-knxwledge-the-spook/music/album-stream/ |title=Stream Mach-Hommy & Knxwledge The Spook… |website=Stereogum.com |date=May 11, 2017 |accessdate=March 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/05/mach-hommy-knxwledge-release-the-spook-ep/ |title=Mach-Hommy and Knxwledge Release 'The Spook...' EP - XXL |website=Xxlmag.com |date= 10 May 2017|accessdate=March 15, 2020}}
- Dump Gawd: Hommy Edition (2017)
- Dollar Menu 3: Dump Gawd Edition {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2017)
- Dumpmeister (2017)
- Luh Hertz (2017)
- The G.A.T... (2017)
- Fete Des Morts AKA Dia De Los Muertos {{small|(with Earl Sweatshirt)}} (2017)
- Bulletproof Luh (2018)
- Dump Olympics: Wide Berth {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2018)
- DUCK CZN: Chinese Algebra {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2018)
- Notorious Dump Legends {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2018)
- Tuez-Les Tous {{small|(with DJ Muggs)}} (2019)
- Wap Konn Jòj! (2019){{Cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wap-konn-j%C3%B2j-ep/1556783981 | title=Wap Konn Jòj! - EP by Mach-Hommy }}
- Kill Em All {{small|(with DJ Muggs)}} (2019)
- Mach's Hard Lemonade (2020)
- Bulletproof Luh (2021)
- Pray for Haiti (2021)
- Balens Cho (Hot Candles) (2021){{Cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/mach-hommy-balens-cho-hot-candles-stream | title=Mach-Hommy Shares 'Balens Cho (Hot Candles)' Album | website=Complex Networks }}
- Dollar Menu 4 {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2022){{cite web | url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/243835523 | title=Mach-Hommy - Dollar Menu 4 | date=26 August 2022 }}
- Duck Czn: Tiger Style {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2202253/stream-mach-hommy-tha-god-fahims-new-album-duck-czn-tiger-style/music/ |last=Breihan |first=Tom |title=Stream Mach-Hommy & Tha God Fahim's New Album Duck CZN: Tiger Style |publisher=Stereogum |date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022}}
- Notorious Dump Legends: Volume 2 {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2023)
- #RICHAXXHAITIAN (2024){{cite magazine |last1=Diaz |first1=Angel |title=Mach-Hommy Announces New Album & Drops KAYTRANADA-Produced Single With 03 Greedo |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/mach-hommy-03-greedo-kaytranada-richaxxhaitian-album-single-1235674783/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 May 2024}}
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=Compilation albums=
- Supertape (2013)
- MHz (2017)
=EPs=
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- Back II The Future (2011)
- Depth Cum In 3s (2012)
- Uppity N***** (2012)
- iGRADE (2013)
- Good Grease (2013){{Cite web|url=https://str8outdaden.com/2013/02/11/mach-hommy-good-grease-ep/|title=Mach-Hommy - Good Grease (EP) - Str8OutDaDen.com...Relax and Listen!|website=str8outdaden.com|date=11 February 2013 }}
- Good Bye Uncle Tom (2013)
- #wellBREADUCATED (2013)
- May Day (2013)
- #foreignOBJECTS (2013)
- Don't Get Scared Now {{small|(with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine)}} (2016)
- Saturday Night Lights, Vol. 1 & 2 (2018)
- No Chill 45 Series 001 (2020)
- No Chill 45 Series 002 (2020)
- Dump Gawd: Triz Nathaniel {{small|(with Conductor Williams)}} (2022){{Cite web | url=https://www.stereogum.com/2184596/mach-hommy-shares-three-new-songs-listen/music/amp/ | title=Mach-Hommy Shares Three New Songs: Listen | date=25 April 2022 }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/mach-hommy-releases-new-ep-streaming-3-of-its-4-songs/ | title=Mach-Hommy releases new EP, streaming 3 of its 4 songs | date=25 April 2022 }}
- Dump Gawd: Triz Nathan {{small|(with Sadhugold.)}} (2022){{cite web | url=https://www.mach-hommy.com/new/triznathan | title=Mach-Hommy }}
- Dump Gawd: Triz Nate {{small|(with Nicholas Craven)}} (2022){{cite web | url=https://www.mach-hommy.com/new/triznate | title=Mach-Hommy }}
- Dump Gawd: Triz 9 {{small|(with Tha God Fahim)}} (2022){{cite web | url=https://www.mach-hommy.com/new/triz9 | title=Mach-Hommy }}
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=Guest appearances=
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- "Beloved" by Conway the Machine (Reject 2) (2015)
- "Donna Karen" by Westside Gunn (Roses Are Red... So Is Blood) (2016)
- "King City" by Westside Gunn (FLYGOD) (2016)
- "Floor Seats" by The Alchemist (The Good Book, Vol. 2) (2017)
- "Btchs Bru" by Melanin 9 (Old Pictures) (2017)
- "52 Handblocks" by Al.Divino (DUMP GAWD: Divino Edition) (2017)
- "Carnies" by Armand Hammer (Rome) (2017)
- "Sell Me This Pen" by Evidence (Weather or Not) (2018)
- "Rare Paradigms" by Koncept Jack$on (The Tale Of Mutant Root) (2018)
- "Daddy Love You" by DJ Preservation (February 4th) (2018)
- "Windhoek" by Billy Woods (Terror Management) (2019)
- "RST", "Funeral March (The Dirge)" by Your Old Droog (It Wasn't Even Close) (2019)
- "Lies U Tell" by Koncept Jack$on (Thot Rap Vol. 1) (2019)
- "4N" by Earl Sweatshirt (Feet of Clay) (2019)
- "Wild Minks" by Quelle Chris (Guns) (2019)
- "Shamash", "BDE", "Desert Eagle" by Your Old Droog (Jewelry) (2019)
- "Save Me" by Kamaal Williams (Wu Hen) (2020)
- "Chimney" by Moor Mother and Billy Woods (Brass) (2020)
- "New Religion", "Uzbekistan", "Pravda" by Your Old Droog (DUMP YOD: Krutoy Edition) (2020)
- "Margiela Split Toes" by Westside Gunn (Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf) (2021)
- "Best Dressed Demons", "RIP Bergdorf" by Westside Gunn (Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B) (2021)
- "$payforhaiti" by Kaytranada (Intimidated) (2021)
- "Spin Off" by Big Cheeko (Block Barry White) (2022)
- "Double Layup" by Camoflauge Monk (Priye Pou Ayiti) (2022)
- "Let's Make A Deal" by Tha God Fahim (Iron Bull) (2023)
- "1000 HP", "Butter Levers", "Designer" by Tha God Fahim (Dump Gawd Reloaded) (2023)
- "Indeed" by Tha God Fahim (Dump Gawd: Tha Knocking Of Loose) (2023)
{{end div col}}
=As Executive Producer=
- TGIF by Tha God Fahim (2016)
- Wide Berth by Tha God Fahim (2018)
- Dump Olympics: Wide Berth by Mach-Hommy & Tha God Fahim (2018)
- It Wasn't Even Close by Your Old Droog (2019)
- Jewelry by Your Old Droog (2019)
- Dump YOD: Krutoy Edition by Your Old Droog (2020)
- Tha YOD Fahim by Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim (2021)
- Block Barry White by Big Cheeko (2022)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.mach-hommy.com/}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
Category:American male rappers
Category:Rappers from Newark, New Jersey
Category:21st-century American male musicians
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:English-language singers