mynameisntjmack Explores Escapism In New Single “American Spirit”
Today, at the forefront of the alt-rap underground, Virginia’s breakout rapper and storyteller mynameisntjmack unveils his new single “american spirit,” produced by daedaePIVOT (best known for his work with Saba). Known for his unparalleled flow and philosophical tendencies, jmack dives deep into his psyche with “american spirit,” drawing from a challenging season of lost connections and strained relationships. His sharp lyricism guides listeners through the addictive tendencies and isolation that often accompany self-reflection. Inspired by late-night calls and the solace of spliff breaks, “american spirit” reveals jmack’s coping mechanisms, using substances and solitude as ways to avoid confrontation.
“It’s about those moments where you’re doing everything you can to stay out of your own head, to escape just a little,” says jmack. “Sometimes, that’s all you have, but you realize it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
The accompanying music video, directed by Ian Anthony and andrpw, unfolds like a Western set against the rugged terrain near Yosemite. We find jmack alone, wandering the desert in a state of forced isolation, caught between facing something or evading it entirely. Along the way, he encounters spectral doubles—past versions of himself—each watching as he drinks, smokes, and performs, ultimately leading him to collapse. When he awakens, he’s driven to dig graves for these past selves, in a symbolic attempt to bury his vices and the parts of himself he’s ready to leave behind.
2024 has been a landmark year for rising star. His debut LP, mynameisnt, earned critical acclaim, with Pigeons and Planes hailing him as “a storyteller, intricately weaving the fabric of his life and community into every verse.” The album also made NFR Podcast’s Top 10 Albums of the Year. Meanwhile, his 2022 collaboration, “BUNKER/PREROLL,” with longtime collaborator and fellow VA artist Tommy Richman, saw a resurgence, peaking at #6 on Spotify’s US Viral Chart. He recently announced that he will join Richman on the 2025 The Coyote Tour, spanning cities across the US and Europe. jmack also appeared on Richman’s debut album Coyote with the track “seems like time moves forever.” His standout year continued with a spot in TIDAL’s 2024 Rising Artists class, gracing the cover of TIDAL’s Hip-Hop Rising and earning placements on over 20 editorial playlists on Spotify, including New Music Friday, New Music Friday Australia, and Fresh Finds.
Photo Credit of mynameisntjmack: Ian Anthony