It’s crazy to think about now, but back in 2013, people were genuinely skeptical. You had Tristan Wilds—the kid everyone knew as Michael Lee from The Wire or Dixon from 90210—suddenly pivoting. Most child actors try to sing and it’s... well, it’s usually a disaster. But then Mack Wilds Own It dropped, and the vibe shifted instantly. It didn't sound like a "vanity project." It sounded like New York.
The track didn't just appear out of thin air. It was the lead single for his debut album, New York: A Love Story, and honestly, the pedigree behind it was kind of insane. We're talking about a song co-written and produced by Salaam Remi (the legend behind Amy Winehouse and Nas) and Ne-Yo. Yeah, that Ne-Yo.
The DNA of a Modern Classic
If you listen closely to the beat, you'll realize why it felt so familiar even the first time you heard it. The song is built on the bones of Eric B. & Rakim's 1986 classic "Eric B. Is President." Specifically, that Marley Marl-produced percussion.
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It’s a bold move. Sampling Rakim is like trying to paint over the Mona Lisa; you better not mess it up. But Mack and Salaam Remi pulled it off by blending that gritty, "boom-bap" aesthetic with a melody that felt light and effortless. It wasn’t trying to be "hard" in a way that felt fake. It was just smooth.
Ne-Yo reportedly wrote the first half of the track, while Mack stepped in to finish the second half. That collaboration created this weirdly perfect bridge between 90s nostalgia and the 2013 R&B landscape. At the time, the radio was dominated by trap-heavy beats or pure EDM-pop. "Own It" felt like a breath of fresh air because it went backward to move forward.
Breaking the "Actor-Turned-Singer" Curse
Let's be real: the transition from TV star to Grammy nominee is almost impossible. Most people fail. Mack Wilds didn't just succeed; he got a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. That doesn't happen by accident.
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The "Own It" music video, directed by Fatima Curry, doubled down on the Staten Island roots. It wasn't some high-gloss, Beverly Hills production. It was graffiti, brick walls, and the Stapleton neighborhood. Mack wasn't pretending to be a pop star; he was reclaiming his identity as a kid from Shaolin.
"Manning up to it. Whatever it is you want to do... you have to be behind it 200 percent. You’re putting yourself out there so you have to own it." — Mack Wilds on the song's meaning.
That philosophy is basically what saved his music career. He wasn't hiding behind a character. He even changed his professional name from Tristan to Mack—a nickname from his grandmother—to separate the actor from the artist.
What People Get Wrong About the Song
A lot of folks think "Own It" is just a standard "club" song. It's really not. If you actually look at the lyrics, it's about confidence and accountability. It’s a "New York" record in the sense that it demands you stand on your own two feet.
- The Production: Salaam Remi used live instrumentation—drums, bass, keyboards—to give it a "thick" sound that digital presets can't mimic.
- The Feature List: While the song is a solo effort, the album it lives on features Method Man and Raekwon. That's a massive co-sign for a "new" singer.
- The Performance: Mack performed this on Arsenio and Good Morning America, proving he could actually sing the notes live, which... let's be honest, is a rarity for actors.
Why it Still Matters Today
Music moves fast. By the time 2026 rolled around, a lot of the hits from the early 2010s started to sound dated. "Own It" hasn't really aged that way. Because it was already "retro" when it came out, it exists in its own little pocket of time.
It represents a specific moment in New York's cultural history where the "Golden Era" sound was being reimagined for a new generation. It’s the kind of track that still gets a reaction at a rooftop party in Brooklyn or a BBQ in Queens.
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How to Lean Into the "Own It" Vibe
If you're looking to revisit this era of R&B or just want to understand why Mack Wilds remains a respected figure in the industry, start with these steps:
- Listen to the Original Sample: Go back to "Eric B. Is President." Hearing the raw 1986 drums will make you appreciate how Salaam Remi flipped them for the 2013 ear.
- Watch the "Own It" Video: Pay attention to the location shots. It’s a love letter to Staten Island, a borough that often gets ignored in the NYC narrative.
- Check the Credits: Look at the New York: A Love Story tracklist. Seeing names like Pete Rock and DJ Premier next to a "Disney/Nickelodeon" era actor is a masterclass in rebranding.
- Apply the Philosophy: Take Mack's advice literally. Whatever project you're sitting on—whether it's a career change or a creative hobby—stop half-stepping. Put yourself behind it 200% and just own the outcome.
The song wasn't just a hit; it was a blueprint for how to transition careers with dignity. Mack Wilds didn't just make a song called "Own It"—he actually did.