Mk.Gee has firmly marked his place as one of 2024’s breakout stars, rapidly transitioning from an emerging artist to a household name. His performance on Saturday Night Live last weekend further solidified this trajectory, where he showcased his new singles Rockman and Alesis. from his debut album Two Star & the Dream Police.
For the SNL performance, Mk.Gee was seen playing his signature Fender Jaguar, strung as a baritone guitar. Alongside him were guitarist Andrew Aged, who played a vintage Charvel T-style guitar, and Zack Sekoff, who provided samples for the set.
Staying true to his elusive persona, Mk.Gee did not participate in any skits during the show. Instead, the spotlight was on comedian and host Bill Burr, who starred in a fictional ’80s hair metal band called Snakeskin. Known for their “rockin’ tunes about living fast, dying young, and doing sex,” Burr’s character contrasted sharply with Mk.Gee’s more subdued, introspective artistry.
Despite incorporating ’80s-inspired tones into his music, Mk.Gee’s approach remains understated. His primary focus, he says, is to be recognized for his music, not his persona. In a recent interview with Dazed, he expressed his philosophy on art and identity:
“I just want to be known for making the best music,” Mk.Gee explained. “Not for anything else, really. I’m not trying to sell you anything – people have got to stop selling you their personality and just make a perfect song.”
He continued, reflecting on how people often try to categorize his work: “Categorically, I think people are pretty confused by me, and when you’re confused, you put whatever’s confusing you in a particular box or zone. And there’s nothing wrong with that if it helps you to understand the music.”
While he acknowledges his skill as a guitarist, Mk.Gee is far less invested in the instrument than many might expect. “I am a good guitar player; I like to find new cadences and interesting arrangements, and contextualize different stuff on a guitar with weird production choices,” he said. “But I don’t really relate to the guitar anymore. I don’t like its nature… Honestly, guitar is, like, the least interesting thing about the record to me.”
In a remarkable endorsement, legendary guitarist Eric Clapton recently named Mk.Gee as his favorite contemporary player. Clapton praised Mk.Gee’s unique, unconventional approach to the guitar, comparing the experience of discovering him to the first time he encountered Prince’s revolutionary style.
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