How an accidental viral hit transformed a MySpace musician into an industry outlier
In short: Before he was a Billboard-charting artist signed to Drake's OVO Sound, Makonnen Kamali Sheran was a bedroom producer uploading tracks to MySpace. His journey from local Atlanta fame to global recognition reveals the volatile intersection of viral internet culture, major label politics, and the pursuit of artistic autonomy.
Born in 1989, Makonnen Kamali Sheran spent his early years in Los Angeles before moving to Atlanta at age 13. His path into music was unconventional, marked by early experimentation on MySpace and a period of house arrest. His breakthrough arrived in 2014 when his song 'Don't Sell Molly No More' gained traction, eventually catching the attention of Miley Cyrus and Drake. The latter's remix of 'Tuesday' propelled Makonnen to national prominence, leading to a signing with OVO Sound in August 2014.
The relationship with OVO Sound proved complex. By late 2015, Makonnen expressed frustration over delayed releases and what he termed 'extra bullshit in the industry,' suggesting that label bureaucracy stifled his creative momentum. He eventually parted ways with OVO in 2016 to focus on his interests at Warner Bros. Records. Throughout this period, he navigated a shifting landscape, even participating in an Alexander Wang campaign in 2016, while maintaining a diverse collaborative network that included artists like Lil Peep, Fall Out Boy, and Metro Boomin.
Makonnen's later career has been defined by his collaborative spirit and resilience. His work with the late Lil Peep, including the 2018 single 'Falling Down' and the 2023 album 'Diamonds,' highlights his role as a connector in modern music. His 2019 collaboration 'I've Been Waiting' with Fall Out Boy achieved significant commercial success, including RIAA Platinum certification for selling 1,000,000 units. Despite the industry's pressures and his own public declarations of retirement, Makonnen has remained a prolific creator, continuing to release music and appear in projects like the film 'Everybody's Everything'.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: ILoveMakonnen
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