By DONNA BALANCIA
Mackenzie Nicole is a survivor.
At 19 years old the pop songstress has been through a lifetime of experiences. But hitting the highs can also bring the lows, which Mackenzie experienced in 2018.
So she released the video and single, “Complications” to address her own challenges in overcoming depression, and also to help others.
Following a whirlwind launch to her music career, Mackenzie had what she said was an emotional setback and found herself in a dark place. But through a combination of self-realization and therapy, she returned stronger than ever before.
“I wanted to do this music because it’s a story I needed to tell,” she explains. “I’m not the only person who’s been through this. I’m not the only person who has broken down and felt like the only one in the world. I know that to be true. Maybe I can help others avoid making some of the mistakes I did.”
Watch ‘Complications’ here:
Early Success and Facing Its Side Effects
But Mackenzie fully appreciates that she has had some great opportunities as well. Signing to Strange Main (A division of Strange Music) in 2015, Mackenzie unveiled “Actin Like You Know,” which included a cameo from label mate Tech N9ne.
Early acclaim came as the track racked up over 6.5 million YouTube views and over million Spotify streams. Her next song “Deleted” followed with over 1.4 million Spotify streams and over million YouTube views to date.
“Complications” is from her second full-length album, Mystic, to drop later this year.
“This is a palate-cleanser between The Edge and Mystic,” she said. And “Complications” helps usher in the main theme of a new era, which is combatting self-destruction and emerging with a new attitude.
“This is an important topic, I wanted to handle it in an artistic and personal way,” Mackenzie said. “If you’ve been in a dark place, you know it’s a little monster always ready to destroy you. I hope people walk away with a greater understanding of themselves and others. Or, maybe even they just think, ‘This is honest art.'”
