Michael “Mobbin101” McCrary He is a Man of Business because it is Necessary

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“I know you were always going to be gangsta, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be a smart gangsta.”

This is what he was told at a young age. He had already experienced life in a way that many young African American men from East Palo Alto California had experienced. Known as the murder capital of the world, East Palo Alto California is home to one of the fastest, most irresistible sounds in Hip Hop. Even though he has faced challenges that some of us could not imagine, he has remained diligent, and has even taken it there by making his music known here in Canada.

Entrepreneur and Major Recording Artist Michael “Mobbin101” McCrary has become a shining star in the world of Hip-Hop. His work illuminates a vintage Hip-Hop sound that most new artists never master. He has an innate ability to intrinsically connect to a person’s: desires, passion, and fear and then magically translate these feelings into words that everyone can relate to.

Heavily inspired by: Nipsey Hussle, GCarter1300, Shill Macc, Bunk Ladden, and Shady Nate, you know when he comes up in the spot, he is not to be played with. What some people don’t know is that what makes Mobbin an unconventional Hip-Hop artist is the fact that he is also a professional football player. His hard work and diversified portfolio have made his name one of the hottest in his region.

2021 was “The Year of The Mob!” He released: “Mobbin’ 2.0,” “Diamonds On My Neck,” “Wrist” ft. BounceBack Meek and Nelly Starr, “2PM In Tulum” all turned out to be summer bangers.

He illustrates a grit and finesse that you will only find in the streets, and there was something about his voice and distinctive tone that spoke to me when I listened to his music. His multi-diverse catalogue narrates the intricacies and complexities of hustling, drug dealing, survival, street politics, and of course entrepreneurship. What makes our Classic Man this week epic, is his ability to tell a story, and what a story it is.

Of course, I had to reach out to Mobbin and have him share his storytelling with me.

“Mobbin101; what is that an acronym for,” I inquired?

“Man of Business because it is Necessary,” Mobbin tells me with a smile. “And 101 is the highway we reside off. I want men out there to Mob! Be Men of Business.”

“There is a lot about you online, but I haven’t had a chance to hear your story.”

“Well, I was born in Pensacola Florida. I am Haitian/Italian and Irish! I was raised in the California Bay Area! I was only born in Florida because my mom happened to be there on vacation.

My early life was not easy: when the crack era hit, it was real. Now that was a pandemic. Unfortunately, my mother was a drug addict, and my dad sold drugs. Like any addiction it was a disease, so my grandmother (on my dad’s side) raised me. Till this day I refer to my grandmother as my mom. My mom is still alive, and I love her, but she was not able to care for me. My dad and I come off as siblings, because the same woman raised us, plus I was always with my dad.”

Mobbin told me that his grades were always up to par; doing nothing was not an option in his grandmother’s house. In school he was recognized as an athlete; basketball was his first love, and then football became his love.

“I played football my whole life. I have relatives in the NFL, and the sport has always been very instrumental in my life. If it weren’t for football, I wouldn’t have graduated high school. I didn’t go on to college football right away.

I went to a few high schools and a few junior colleges. I graduated from Ceaser Chavez High School and graduated from West Valley College. I transferred to Withworth University in Spokane. It was a division three college, and also a Christian University. I will tell you this, going there was a complete culture shock for me. It was rural, and I am a city man, but I stuck it out.

I played pro-ball in Budapest, Mexico, and in South Carolina. I had to take a brief respite due to the pandemic, and during that time I started to pay more attention to music. Just like football, music is in the family.

I am a driven individual, and once I say something I am going to do it. People will hold your words and non-action against you. The original plan was to drop five songs and be done with it. Now I am on 25 songs.”

Mobbin 2.0 was a remix to a song written about his friends. Most people know him by his first single, “2 Pm in Tulum.”

“Tulum is the premier destination in the world. I had just landed there, and I was messing around with the beat, and then I finalized the song.”

Mobbin is a young man with a very bright future. I wanted to know what he had planned for 2023.

“I am going back to football, and I am a realest; if I can get one more professional deal, I will be content. The good thing is that going back to football will help with the music. It opens me up to an untapped market, and that way, both of my talents will be recognized.”

I have to say, I am proud of this young man. He has shown that he is more than capable of rising above his struggles and maintaining a positive outlook. He could have given up a long time ago, but he was able to cultivate resilience and perseverance, and this has made him the dynamic force that he has become.

Go ahead young man; you have our support!