Audiofreaks Artists - Craig McKenzie

Craig McKenzie

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Biography

Craig Mckenzie aka CMAC felt the power and love of music from the womb as his pregnant mother played guitar and sang at bible in schools.

With both parents as ministers in the Salvation Army, music became an important part of life early on - playing in the brass band, singing in the choir and taking piano lessons.

The growing passion for music and songwriting would be a means of self-expression for life.

With early influences such as Run DMC , Beastie boys, Bonjovi and Billy joel, certain elements would become a priority in his music / songwriting, a mix of breakbeats, catchy hooks and a strong melody and a love of harmony.

Buying an Ensoniq sequencer, Akai sampler and a four track recorder was a means to begin the journey of creating and recording tracks. After developing his abilities in vocals and song writing at the Excel school of performing arts in 1995-96, he picked up the guitar and fronted the pop/rock trio - 'Partisan' recording the EP - 'Real' at York Street studios NZ, the band enjoyed a succession of gigs including Parachute music festivals . In 2001 Craig and long time friend and song writing partner Aidan Richards went back to their roots of hip hop and started writing some new material which caught the attention of Malcolm Black, head of A'n'R Sony music NZ

Soon after the duo (Sumix) released "Jumphouse" with the award winning producer Malcolm Welsford giving Craig the chance to develop his own skills in that area. Shooting the music video with Joe Lonie, who would later shoot the video for Craig's track -'Funky little hip hop angel'.

Continuing his musical journey as a solo artist, Craig spent time in Los Angeles in the local scene, writing and performing new material resulting in his self written / recorded and produced debut album 'Surrender', containing songs about his personal and spiritual journey.