WHO would have thought that an advanced diploma graduate in computer studies and informatics would make it big in the music industry, and years later, spreading his wings beyond just beats and drums.
Charles John Macallum, 41, popularly known as Rabbit Mac, is the music inspiration we are discussing here.
Rabbit Mac is a hip-hop and rap-based Indian singer from Penang and he is now regarded as an influential figure not only in the music industry but also in the rest of the world.
Having found Psycho.Unit in 2005 in Penang with a group of like-minded friends who shared his passion, the brand evolved tremendously over the years and is now known as PU4LYF Entertainment Sdn Bhd.
In a written document responding to questions by Buletin Mutiara, Rabbit Mac revealed that PU4LYF expanded its focus from just music to a full-fledged production company and creative agency.
The company now specialises in social media marketing, influencer management events, and more, tuning its focus to innovative content across multiple industries.
Reminiscing the yesteryears, Rabbit Mac paid huge tribute to his late father, a former civil servant who has been instrumental in his love for music.
“Growing up, I never had to try too hard to love music because my dad was a music lover himself, and he would play a variety of music, be it in Tamil, English, Malay, Chinese, and many more.
“He was a passionate vinyl collection with almost 3,000 records, and with this, you could imagine the incredible range of sounds I was exposed to since young.
“Music became more than healing in my life, it filled every nook and corner in my house.
“Being the only odd one who was passionate about music among my two siblings, I made shifts during my early days, such as moving away from the hospitality industry to pursuing a career in rap music.
“It was never easy but it was all worth it when I recall those sacrifices and difficult moments I had to come through,” Rabbit Mac said.
As to why he particularly chose hip hop and rap, he said it all started with the groove, beats, and drums.
“There is something raw and powerful in hip-hop’s rhythms that I felt immediately.
“Growing up in my neighbourhood, most of my friends were tuned into Indian folk music, which I respect and enjoy, but I wanted to explore something different.
“That is when I discovered the music of Eminem and Dr. Dre.
“Listening to their tracks every day, I found myself drawn to the sound, the flow, and the energy. It inspired me to dive deeper, so I began learning as much as I could about hip-hop production using the tools I had back then, especially a software called Cakewalk.
“Starting out, I focused on producing and remixing songs for clubs in Penang. From 2002 to 2004, I experimented by adding my rhymes to the remixes.
“When people asked who was rapping on the tracks, I would say it was just a sample I had found online! I had a small group of friends who appreciated what I was doing and encouraged me to keep going,” he further explained.
Hip-hop became more than just music for him and now it has been the core part of his life and identity.
“The genre offers freedom, a way to express myself authentically, and I know it is something I will be doing for the rest of my life,” he stated.
Rabbit Mac released his first album in 2007 called 541-Simply Numberz, and later went on to make several breakthroughs, mainly with Ma Carrotz, a significant leap in his hip-hop and rap career.
The album was a game-changer as it introduced a fresh style that resonated deeply with the Tamil rap community, and the tracks were well-received by listeners, boosting his music presence beyond Malaysia.
In his illustrious journey thus far, Rabbit Mac has worked with many independent artists, including Ayda Jebat, Amir Masdi, Jestinna Kuan, Hun Haqeem, Nabila Razali, Yonnyboii, Alvin Chong, Santesh, KTown Clan, Sasi the Don, Balan Kashmir, Mc Syze, Darkey, Mista G, Lock Up, Havoc Brothers, Siddarth, ADK, Mc Sai, TeeJay and many more.
Rabbit Mac emphasised that in his composition of songs, while some were inspired by personal experiences and emotions, he said the most important factor was his hunger to experiment with new, innovative, and creative ideas.
“Ultimately, whether it is something deeply personal or just a spontaneous creative idea, I always aim to make music that feels authentic and resonates with both me and my listeners.
“The balance of staying true to myself while also exploring new possibilities is what keeps my music fresh and exciting,” he added.
To aspiring musicians, Rabbit Mac said it is important to stay hungry but not greedy and to create music that reflects you and not what others want to hear.
“Persistence is key. Invest time in learning your craft, whether it is writing, beat-making, producing, engineering, designing, creative directions and mainly in understanding the business side of music.
“Do tons of research, but do not limit yourself to just one style or approach.
“Build relationships with other artists, producers, and industry professionals. Collaborations can open doors and help you reach new audiences,” he said.
Rabbit Mac, under Psycho.Unit was recognised in the South Indian cinema industry and was called to collaborate with popular music directors, such as Yuvan Shankar Raja and G.V. Prakash Kumar for Thalaivaa and Biryani.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of PU4LYF Entertainment Sdn Bhd.