Mark Morrison
Mark Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 12, 1974 Hanover, West Germany |
| Occupation(s) | R&B vocalist, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | "Return of the Mack" |
Mark Anthony Joseph Morrison (born 12 May 1974) is a British R&B vocalist renowned for his 1996 platinum-certified track "Return of the Mack," which quickly gained widespread acclaim throughout Europe and reached number two on the US charts the following year.
Early life
Morrison was born in Hanover, West Germany, and is of Barbadian heritage. He spent part of his childhood in Leicester, England, before relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 11. After completing his studies at Palm Beach Lakes High School in 1990, he moved back to Leicester.
Career
Morrison's initial official release was the 1993 vinyl single "Where Is Our Love," distributed under his own Joe'Mel label.
In 1995, he debuted with the single "Crazy," which became a Top 20 hit in the UK and a popular club track, followed by "Let's Get Down," which entered the UK Top 40. The spring of 1996 saw "Return of the Mack" soar to international fame, securing the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks.
His first album, Return of the Mack, earned multi-platinum certification, peaked at number four in the UK charts, and sold three million copies globally. The album yielded five UK Top 10 singles—"Crazy," "Trippin'," "Horny," and "Moan & Groan"—earning Morrison the distinction of being the first British artist to have five Top 10 hits from a debut album.
Despite his commercial achievements, Morrison encountered legal difficulties resulting in imprisonment in 1997. That same year, he garnered numerous accolades nominations including four Brit Awards, a Mercury Prize nod, an MTV Europe Music Award consideration, and five MOBO Awards. "Return of the Mack" attained platinum recognition in the US and remained on Billboard charts for 40 weeks; his subsequent US single "Moan & Groan" reached number 76.
Morrison appeared at the 1997 Brit Awards and subsequently released Only God Can Judge Me, a nine-track EP featuring live recordings and interviews; its lead single "Who's the Mack!" climbed to number 13 on the UK charts.
At the 1999 Brit Awards, he declared his musical comeback. His single "Best Friend," featuring Conner Reeves and Gabrielle, peaked at number 23 in the UK. In 2000, Morrison secured a five-year global contract with Suge Knight’s Death Row Records, becoming its sole European artist; Death Row UK operated autonomously under Ritz Music Group.
By 2003, Morrison had signed with footballer Kevin Campbell's label 2 Wikid; his double A-side single "Just a Man"/"Backstabbers" reached number 48 on the UK charts in 2004.
In May 2006, he launched Innocent Man through his Mack Life Records imprint; its title track featuring DMX attained number 46 in the UK. In 2007, he collaborated on Cassidy’s single "Innocent Man (Misunderstood)," which charted on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100.
On 29 January 2007, Morrison released "Dance 4 Me," featuring Tanya Stephens as part of Innocent Man. The accompanying video was directed by Ray Kay.
In 2012, Morrison contributed to Houston rapper Trae tha Truth’s track "I'm On 2.0," alongside prominent artists such as J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar; a music video was unveiled that June. He announced a forthcoming single titled "Ain't No Good," planned for July 2013 to benefit the charity Refuge; however, this release was ultimately canceled.
June 2013 marked the debut of the music video for "I Am What I Am," with the single becoming available on iTunes that September. On 20 October 2013, Morrison delivered "N.A.N.G. 2.0," featuring Crooked I and Shonie.
The EP I Am What I Am was released on 7 July 2014, containing earlier singles alongside five new compositions.
For its twentieth anniversary in September 2016, American DJ Nevada remixed "Return of the Mack" as "The Mack," incorporating fresh vocal recordings from Morrison and rapper Fetty Wap.
Morrison’s signature song has been featured prominently in major advertising campaigns: Burger King incorporated a remix titled "Return of the Mac and Cheetos" in May 2017 commercials for Mac and Cheetos products; McDonald’s UK used it during their post-COVID-19 lockdown promotion in July 2020.
In 2021, Morrison appeared alongside Chris Brown on G-Eazy’s single "Provide," which samples elements from "Return of the Mack."
October 2022 saw Morrison collaborate with Post Malone and Sickick on a viral mashup combining "Cooped Up" with "Return of the Mack," preceding its commercial release.
Personal life
In October 2020, Morrison revealed intentions to potentially run against Peter Soulsby for the role of Mayor of Leicester, though he withdrew from the race by September 2022. Later, in October 2022, he bought a residence in Florida for $2 million in cash, followed by the acquisition of an additional property in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in December 2023.
Legal issues
Throughout his career, Morrison has encountered multiple legal difficulties. In 1997, he was found guilty of attempting to carry a firearm onto an aircraft and served a three-month jail term while his hit single "Return of the Mack" was ascending the US Billboard charts. The following year, after missing a court date on charges involving an offensive weapon, he fled to Barbados but was apprehended upon his return and eventually acquitted.
He received a conviction for affray connected to a deadly altercation and was sentenced to community service. However, Morrison served a year at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs after hiring a substitute to complete his community service duties during his tour. During his imprisonment, he reportedly embraced Islam and sought to adopt the name Abdul Rahman. Additionally, that year he faced a six-month driving ban and a fine for operating a vehicle without a licence.
In 2002, Morrison was taken into custody on allegations of kidnapping and vehicle theft but was released on bail; later, a police officer was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe related to this release. Morrison’s failure to appear in court led to an outstanding arrest warrant.
In 2004, he spent one night in custody following an incident at a nightclub in Leicester where a platinum and diamond medallion was stolen from him. In 2009, Morrison was arrested in London on charges of assault.
Studio albums
- Return of the Mack (1996)
- Innocent Man (2006)