Mac Lethal

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Mac Lethal

| image =

| caption =

| background = solo_singer

| birth_name = David McCleary Sheldon

| alias = Uncle Mac{{cite web|url=http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2010/11/mac-lethal-f-stokes-marquis-theater-denver-review.php|title=Mac Lethal at the Marquis|work=Westword|first=Britt|last=Chester|date=November 21, 2010|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102064823/http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2010/11/mac-lethal-f-stokes-marquis-theater-denver-review.php|archive-date=January 2, 2013}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|7|25}}

| birth_place = Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|sampler|keyboards}}

| genre = Hip hop

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|producer|songwriter|radio host|author}}

| years_active = 2001–present

| label = {{hlist|HHI Recordings|Rhymesayers|Black Clover}}

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Seven|Crypt}}

| website = {{URL|maclethal.merchcentral.com}}

}}

David McCleary Sheldon (born July 25, 1981), known professionally as Mac Lethal, is an American rapper, songwriter and author from Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/lethal-attraction/Content?oid=2180089|title=Lethal Attraction|work=The Pitch|first=Jason|last=Harper|date=November 7, 2005|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102135121/http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/lethal-attraction/Content?oid=2180089|archive-date=November 2, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/mac-lethal/Content?oid=2200834|title=Mac Lethal|work=The Pitch|first=Kyle|last=Koch|date=November 23, 2010|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102130602/https://pitch.com/kansascity/mac-lethal/Content?oid=2200834|archive-date=November 2, 2013}} He is the founder of Black Clover Records and formerly a radio host on KRBZ 96.5 the Buzz show, Black Clover Radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives/2009/11/03/mac-lethal-calls-for-local-songs-to-play-on-black-clover-radio|title=Mac Lethal calls for local songs to play on Black Clover Radio|work=The Pitch|first=Jason|last=Harper|date=November 3, 2009|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111302/http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives/2009/11/03/mac-lethal-calls-for-local-songs-to-play-on-black-clover-radio|archive-date=February 2, 2014}}

Career

Mac Lethal released his debut studio album, Men Are from Mars, Pornstars Are from Earth, on HHI Recordings in 2002.{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mac_lethal-men_are_from_mars_pornstars_are_from|title=Mac Lethal - Men Are From Mars, Pornstars Are From Earth|work=Exclaim!|first=Thomas|last=Quinlan|date=August 1, 2002|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801003626/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mac_lethal-men_are_from_mars_pornstars_are_from|archive-date=August 1, 2018}} In that year, he won the Scribble Jam rap battle.{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/critics-picks-mac-lethal-and-more-6684564|title=Critics' Picks: Mac Lethal and more|work=City Pages|first=Jen|last=Paulson|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610213023/http://www.citypages.com/music/critics-picks-mac-lethal-and-more-6684564|archive-date=June 10, 2019}} Sage Francis took him on the Fuck Clear Channel Tour in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/fuck-clear-channel-tour/|title=Fuck Clear Channel Tour|work=The Wake Student Magazine|date=March 31, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102135434/http://www.wakemag.org/sound-vision/fuck-clear-channel-tour/|archive-date=November 2, 2013|access-date=April 24, 2019}}

In 2006, Mac Lethal founded Black Clover Records with longtime friend Jeremy Willis, who had been running the Datura Label.{{cite web|url=http://hpr1.com/music/article/the_future_of_midwest_hip_hop|title=The Future of Midwest Hip Hop|work=High Plains Reader|first=Bill|last=Rohla|year=2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102024200/http://hpr1.com/music/article/the_future_of_midwest_hip_hop|archive-date=November 2, 2013|access-date=April 24, 2019}} In 2007, he released a studio album, 11:11, on Rhymesayers Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10875-1111/|title=Mac Lethal: 11:11|work=Pitchfork|first=Evan|last=McGarvey|date=November 19, 2007|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318184453/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10875-1111/|archive-date=March 18, 2009}}

In 2011, he was offered a contract from Sony which he rejected, referring to the $250,000, 5 album, 2 option and one milestone option deal as "insane".{{cite web|url=http://abovegroundmagazine.com/features/music/09/28/staying-independent-mac-lethal-turns-down-a-record-deal/|title=Staying Independent: Mac Lethal Turns Down a Record Deal (page 1 of 2)|work=aboveGround Magazine|last=Hakes|first=Tyler|date=September 28, 2011|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020085840/http://abovegroundmagazine.com/features/music/09/28/staying-independent-mac-lethal-turns-down-a-record-deal/|archive-date=October 20, 2011}}

On November 30, 2011, Mac Lethal posted a video on YouTube of him rapping over the beat to Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now" while he prepares a dish of pancakes in his kitchen.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chris-brown-look-at-me-now-mac-lethal-texts-bennett-268426|title=Rap Cover of Chris Brown's 'Look At Me Now' Becomes Overnight Internet Sensation (Video)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lauren|last=Schutte|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211030725/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chris-brown-look-at-me-now-mac-lethal-texts-bennett-268426|archive-date=December 11, 2011}} The video became a viral hit and got millions of views in a matter of days, leading to interviews on websites like CNN and The Washington Post.{{cite web|url=http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/12/05/pancake-rapper-mac-lethal-on-romantic-cheesecake-bbq-and-the-second-best-cuisine-on-earth/|title=Pancake rapper Mac Lethal on romantic cheesecake, BBQ and the second best cuisine on Earth|work=CNN|date=December 5, 2011|access-date=December 6, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208015924/http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/12/05/pancake-rapper-mac-lethal-on-romantic-cheesecake-bbq-and-the-second-best-cuisine-on-earth/|archive-date=December 8, 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-user-polls/post/rapper-mac-lethal-on-texts-from-bennett-tumblr-rapping-about-pancakes-and-more/2011/12/02/gIQAzDjCLO_blog.html|title=Rapper Mac Lethal on "Texts From Bennett" Tumblr, rapping about pancakes and more.|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Haley|last=Crum|date=December 2, 2011|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119113909/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-user-polls/post/rapper-mac-lethal-on-texts-from-bennett-tumblr-rapping-about-pancakes-and-more/2011/12/02/gIQAzDjCLO_blog.html|archive-date=November 19, 2015}} It was included on Spin{{'}}s "10 Most Contagiously Viral Musical Web Sensations of 2011" list.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/12/spins-10-most-contagiously-viral-musical-web-sensations-2011/|title=SPIN's 10 Most Contagiously Viral Musical Web Sensations of 2011|work=Spin|first=David|last=Bevan|date=December 26, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719200104/https://www.spin.com/2011/12/spins-10-most-contagiously-viral-musical-web-sensations-2011/|archive-date=July 19, 2017}} In that year, he also released a studio album, Irish Goodbye, on Black Clover Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_04_irishgoodbye.html|title=Mac Lethal :: Irish Goodbye :: Black Clover Records|work=RapReviews.com|first=Zach|last=Gase|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406051412/http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_04_irishgoodbye.html|archive-date=April 6, 2012}}

Mac Lethal also runs a Tumblr feed called "Texts from Bennett", in which he posts text message conversations between himself and his cousin Bennett. Although some have questioned whether or not Bennett is a real person, he insists that the conversations are genuine.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/texts-from-bennett_n_1126264.html|title=Texts From Bennett: Mac Lethal Speaks About His Internet Sensations|work=The Huffington Post|date=December 2, 2011|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212181250/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/texts-from-bennett_n_1126264.html|archive-date=February 12, 2012}} He released the novel of the same name on Simon & Schuster in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.voxmagazine.com/blog/2013/08/coming-soon-texts-from-bennett-a-novel/|title=Coming soon — Texts from Bennett, A Novel|work=Vox Talk|publisher=Vox|first=Jonna|last=Hagni|date=August 8, 2013|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817105756/http://www.voxmagazine.com/blog/2013/08/coming-soon-texts-from-bennett-a-novel/|archive-date=August 17, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/09/05/mac-lethal-brings-texts-from-bennett-to-bookshelves/|title=Mac Lethal Brings Texts From Bennett to Bookshelves|work=The Village Voice|first=Chaz|last=Kangas|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912105636/https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/09/05/mac-lethal-brings-texts-from-bennett-to-bookshelves/|archive-date=September 12, 2018}}

Mac Lethal and Amber Diamond host the television show, Binge Thinking, which premiered on MTV2 on April 1, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2744620/charlamagne-mac-lethal-uncommon-sense-binge-thinking/|title=We're About To See A Whole Lot More Charlamagne And Mac Lethal|work=MTV|first=Gili|last=Malinsky|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228053425/http://www.mtv.com/news/2744620/charlamagne-mac-lethal-uncommon-sense-binge-thinking/|archive-date=February 28, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/celebrities_gossip/Philadelphia-drunks-show-how-smart-they-are-on-MTV2s-new-Binge-Thinking.html|title=Philadelphia drunks show how smart they are on MTV2's new 'Binge Thinking'|work=Philly.com|first=Howard|last=Gensler|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521092349/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/celebrities_gossip/Philadelphia-drunks-show-how-smart-they-are-on-MTV2s-new-Binge-Thinking.html|archive-date=May 21, 2016}} On September 13, 2016, he released a studio album, Congratulations, which featured a guest appearance from Tech N9ne.{{cite web|url=http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2016-09-07-holy-shit-mac-lethal-tech-n9ne-angel-of-death|title=Holy Sh*t You Need To Hear Mac Lethal's "Angel Of Death" with Tech N9ne|work=DJBooth|first=Brent|last=Bradley|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012075222/http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2016-09-07-holy-shit-mac-lethal-tech-n9ne-angel-of-death|archive-date=October 12, 2016}}

Before the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl LIV, he released a song titled "Kansas Chiefs Anthem 2020". In the song he references multiple Chiefs players from that season.{{cite news|url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-rapper-mac-lethal-drops-new-chiefs-super-bowl-anthem-san-francisco-49ers-super-bowl-liv/30645822|title=Kansas City rapper Mac Lethal drops new Chiefs' Super Bowl anthem|location=Kansas City, Missouri|publisher=KMBC|date=January 23, 2020|access-date=February 2, 2025}}