On this day 30 years ago, West Coast rapper and Westside Connection member Mack 10 released his self-titled debut album, Mack 10, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of West Coast gangsta rap. Released on June 10, 1995, the album firmly established itself within the G-Funk sound that defined Southern California hip-hop during the mid-90s, earning its place as a classic within the West Coast community.
While the project didn’t receive massive commercial acclaim or widespread critical praise upon release, it served as a powerful introduction to Mack 10’s raw, unfiltered style. It helped launch what would become a highly respected career in independent gangsta rap. The album solidified his presence in the West Coast scene and laid the foundation for future success, both as a solo artist and as a member of the legendary Westside Connection alongside Ice Cube and WC.
The project also featured one of the earliest diss tracks from Westside Connection, “Westside Slaughterhouse,” a response to Common’s 1994 single “I Used to Love H.E.R.”, a track many interpreted as a critique of the influence of West Coast gangsta rap on the genre. The tension sparked by Mack 10’s record led to Common’s retaliatory diss track, “The B*tch In Yoo,” further fueling one of the more intellectual regional feuds of the era.
Following the release of Mack 10, the Inglewood native went on to release seven more solo albums and became a staple figure in West Coast hip hop before stepping away from the spotlight. Today, Mack 10 remains a gritty, unapologetic time capsule of ’90s West Coast rap and a reminder of the impact Mack 10 made on the culture.