BEHIND THE MUSIC: MC HALO

Sunderland rapper MC Halo knows a thing or two about capturing the attention of a crowd. Having started his career as a rave MC, his rhythmic prowess and heart-on-sleeve sound draws comparisons to the likes of Eminem and Braintax, and his music takes often heartfelt and hard-hitting forays through self-discovery and emotional connections. He releases his new album on 8^th August, featuring an array of North East guests including 90BRO, Lista, Clayton McKenna, Rob Burlinson, Tuckage, Mr Sheriff and Jakeyboy. Here, he gives us an insight into some of the tracks on the release.

BACK STREETS

“It’s only too late, we can’t be saved…”

Back Streets cracks open the album with brutal honesty. Inspired by my cousin Mel — we were meant to collaborate, but when the dam broke after years of stifling my music for toxic relationships and dead-end friendships, this entire record poured out instead. This song tells the truth about betrayal and self-sabotage, the cold reality of deceit when love rots from the inside out. It’s an admission that patterns repeat if you don’t face them.

DAMAGE DONE

“Learn to walk before you run…”

Damage Done digs deep into the fault lines of toxic dynamics. The result of tough introspection about my own enabling behaviour and twisted loyalty, the line “porcelain doll falling over damage done” is about fragility disguised as strength, how we let people throw stones at us while pretending we’re made of steel.

ECHELON

“Don’t tell me you’re on another level — I’m living in the upper echelons…”

Echelon is pure status and spite. This one goes back to bars I laid down years ago with 90BRO and Claymore, my brother Clay who still features on the album. I held onto this verse because it’s too raw to bury. The new chorus came when I moved to Dubai — luxury cars, chandeliers, caviar, all that real-life braggadocio. But it’s deeper than flexing. It’s a shot fired back at the ones who doubted me, the exes who thought I’d fold.

THE NEWS

“Are we a part of this world of pain…?”

The News is my soul’s open letter. This is the flagship single, the one where I poured everything out and found a new sound, a new direction, a new wave that defines me now. It’s rooted in the heartbreak of losing my grandmother who inspired my respect for love, kindness and the feminine energy that’s shaped who I am. This track is a candle lit for every soul at heaven’s gate, but it’s also my promise that it’s not too late to change, to heal, to rise above the noise.

LIVING

“Suffering is a part of life — I feel it liberating me this time…”

Living closes the album like an exhale, the final reflection on what it means to be human. Rob Burlinson’s chorus lifts the whole track; his voice is angelic and raw, the perfect counterpoint to my verses about daily struggles and the restless climb that makes us who we are. It’s about wondering if you’re really living or just killing time. Ending the album with Rob meant a lot. We’re from the same estate, and I’ve always respected him as a singer-songwriter. This track is my reminder that suffering shapes you, but it’s the climb that sets you free.