Pure Personality

KENNETH "K-MAC" MCNEIL
Family folklore has it that when Kenneth McNeil was born in the Bay Area, his first wails were in the soulful key of A minor. But there is no doubt that after settling in Northern Virginia, little K-Mac was raised on music. And it was only a couple of years ago that this love for music exploded into undeniable passion.

But music had not always been McNeil’s driving force. Basketball was his first love. And it was his innate ambition and dedication to strive for perfection that carried this seven year old’s ‘hoop dreams’ all the way through high school, where he achieved accolades and honors while playing against a few pre-NBA stars including Steve Francis. And now it is that same focused dedication and ambition for R&B music that mesmerizes his rapidly growing fan base.

But getting here had its trials and tribulations. Coping with a dysfunctional family, and the seductions of urban blight, K-Mac just managed to keep one step ahead of the staggering pitfalls facing disadvantaged youth. Astonishingly, to McNeil’s credit, the urban pitfalls and dysfunction he witnessed and experienced would be absorbed, and through a gifted creative process became the impetus of his music. The ability to harvest disadvantages into songs that speak directly to the heart is what sets this seasoned songwriter a cut above the rest.

The ambition that fuels Kenneth “K-Mac” McNeil has no boundaries. As the music industry re-invents itself, K-Mac is along for the ride, and plans on doing a bit of the driving himself. His insatiable devotion to evolve with the industry keeps this family man very busy. His ability to write emotionally charged R&B ballads and deliver them with such smooth effortless warmth is undeniable. He also plays a mean keyboard, produces for other artists and stays on the cutting edge of technology to deliver his passion. A true renaissance man.

Today’s entertainment industry demands change and delivers challenges and this gifted entrepreneur is prepared to meet those challenges. He has lent his voice to recent BMW commercials and sang the national anthem at the DC Diva’s opening game. He hosts and performs in showcases around the DC area and his self-produced CD, “Every Emotion Vol. One”, on CDBaby.com has earned him new fans from Italy to Japan. His much anticipated new CD, “Every Emotion Vol. Two” will drop soon with the first two singles launching on California radio by Jammin 99.5’s own Billy Dee.

For K-Mac, this is not the time to step back and soak in his accomplishments. He has been working with local up-and-coming artists and most recently produced rising hot rap artist LikaJoon’s new promotional CD. His MySpace is bustling and from there he collaborates with other talented producers.

It is easy to see why people are drawn to Kenneth “K-Mac” McNeil. His “Every Emotion” CD’s are aptly named as he truly delivers a colorful array of emotions in unforgettable songs that make people “feel.” His music completely engulfs you, commands you to move and on occasion, brings a tear. He stands equal with the artists who inspire him, such as Nate Dogg, and Krazy Bone. And just as he states that “the soundtrack of my childhood was compiled by Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, The Stylistics and Whispers”, it is assuredly destined that the soundtrack compilation for future childhoods must include Kenneth “K-Mac” McNeil.