“My town, my heart/How can I forget about my start/My foundation is groundbreaking, the inspiration for my art,” Mazon affirmed on the remix of his song “Sunroof,” an ode to Harrisburg.
Mazon, né Malcolm Mays, 26, said he sees the “potential of the city.” Growing up here, he has absorbed some of the bragging rights of Harrisburg’s status as the state capital.
“If it wasn’t the capital of the state, it would feel different,” he said.
As the local rapper/producer continues to wear the pride of his hometown on his sleeve, he sets to prove he has the ability to become a national recording artist.
Talent and Grind
This area is known to breed athletes who have advanced to the pros.
Mazon, though, would be one of the few urban music artists to emerge from Harrisburg. When asked what it takes to make it to the next level, he compared working for a label to “Shark Tank,” a reality show about aspiring entrepreneurs.
“If you want to be appealing to a label, you have to operate like a business,” he said.
Then he added, “We’re not looking to sign immediately,” referring to himself and The Nosebleeds. In 2011, he founded The Nosebleeds, a collective of like-minded rappers: Cordell, Cool Davis and White. The artist hopes to remain independent for as long as he can. According to Mazon, a business venture with a label is also doable.
Harrisburg’s own Cordell started recording with Mazon about 10 years ago.
“He’s always had a relentless work ethic, even back then,” Cordell said of Mazon. “He’s a master strategist, always plotting. His attention to detail combined with his raw talent and grind is what will allow him to be successful.”
Aside from his Nosebleeds camp, Mazon likes Harrisburg-based rapper Rawston George. “He has the complete package,” Mazon explained.
“I was blown away,” George said when he heard Mazon’s music. “Firstly, he sounded so polished for a person in my age bracket. Secondly, he was a local talent. He was one of the first people from Harrisburg that, to me, had a mainstream sound that was just polished all around. Music aside, I just get good vibes when I’m around Maze.”
Understand Now
While Mazon chills on the couch at his mother’s apartment, his son Domonique, 2, walks into the living room. Then he climbs up his father’s legs and perches in his lap. Mazon said Domonique is feeling under the weather. Domonique wears PJs. Mazon has a 5 o’clock shadow and is clad in Nike slides, sweatpants and a T-shirt. He turns the TV on so Domonique can watch cartoons. A keyboard sits near the TV.
“It’s inspiring and motivating,” he said about parenthood.
His mother helped him become a better lyricist by stressing the importance of reading. “Forcing me to read was huge. I used to hate it, but I understand now,” he said.
His mother’s advice paid off. Today, Mazon, who has been rapping for 12 years, is a wordsmith. His delivery pulls listeners in. His beats are sometimes mellow, mirroring his reserved persona.
Mazon dropped his noteworthy “MOXY” mixtape in spring 2014, which included the melodic song “She Good.” He now is working on his seventh mixtape “The Will.” His music has been featured on Sway’s “Wake Up Show,” a radio show, and he has produced for rising artists such as Atlantic Records’ Lauriana Mae.
By the end of the interview, Mazon’s mother arrives. She seems a tad more extroverted than her son. Mazon helps his mom with some bags. After I reintroduce myself, she beams and reminds me that she attended her son’s performance at Appalachian Brewery Co. in Harrisburg.
Mazon’s advice to the struggling youth in the inner city?
“Get focused and don’t make excuses. The people who emerge are the people who don’t make excuses.”
Well said from a staple in the local community.
To learn more about Mazon and his music, visit www.mazonmusic.com or visit his Facebook page, Mazon717.
