Mac Lethal (born David McCleary Sheldon) is another overnight success, 17 years in the making.
In November 2011, he released a video on YouTube of him rapping over the beat to "Look at Me Now" while he prepared pancakes in his kitchen.
The video became a viral hit and got millions of views in a matter of days, but he'd been practicing his craft for years and years.
As he tells James on the extended version of Ask Altucher, high school bored him so he started writing rap songs in study hall.
Rapping wasn't his passion, but it worked. As he became better at it he became much more passionate...
By 2011 he'd finally made it. Today he often spends hours listening to rappers and learning from them.
He tells James that he believes it takes 20 years to become a real master at your trade.
It takes you a couple of years to move past a beginner, and by year five you start to find your voice and stop mimicking others.
By year 15 you finally focus and become an authentic voice.
But he didn't stop there. He's written a book, Texts From Bennett that was optioned by FX.
Most things you try probably won't work, but keep trying and eventually one good idea will slip through... And no one will remember your prior mistakes.
This is a great interview and you'll want listen to the entire conversation.
Listen to today's show and you can find Mac here and here.
Regards,
David Newman
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