Mac Smiff

Mac Smiff

Guest Editor

Website

Mac Smiff is a longtime journalist focused on Northwest music and hip-hop culture for outlets such as The Oregonian, Portland Mercury, Vortex Music Magazine and his own vehicle, We Out Here Magazine. A professional problem solver, his hobbies include gardening, activism and raising children who understand basketball analogies.

Articles

Welcome To Our World
Mac Smiff - Dec 7, 2020
"I want to amplify Black voices without sacrificing the clarity of our voices," says Mac Smiff, who guest edits the new print issue of Vortex. Featuring work from Black writers, photographers and...
Artist to Watch: Sir Nai Finds Purpose In These Beats
Mac Smiff - Jun 3, 2020
The young Portland producer makes soundtrack scores more than beats.
Artist to Watch: Nod Your Head to the Beat Wizardry of Lisa Vazquez
Mac Smiff - Mar 3, 2020
Armed with an MPC, a mic and an ever-changing array of doodads, the star of this globetrotting, humble rap technician is on the rise. From PDX to L.A. to Guatemala, look for new music out this summer.
Artist to Watch: Wynne's On The Rise In Rip City
Mac Smiff - Oct 17, 2019
With the city's hip-hop scene behind her, Wynne is set to drop her debut mixtape on October 25 and continue her effort to bring about town unity with her blistering rhymes.
Artist to Watch: Soak Up Kid Indigo's Sunny Vibes
Mac Smiff - Aug 15, 2019
If Kid Indigo's not already on your summer playlist, the curly-haired crooner provides the perfect sounds for the season—plus, look for two new singles out tomorrow!
Artist to Watch: Rasheed Jamal Is Ready to Reign Supreme
Mac Smiff - Jul 5, 2019
With the dramatically named 'Messiah Complex' on the horizon, one of Portland's most skilled rappers is ready to make his mark. And while you'll have to wait for its release later this summer,...
Artist to Watch: KayelaJ's Just Getting Started
Mac Smiff - Jul 2, 2019
KayelaJ's highly anticipated debut record tells the life story—thus far—of one of Portland's hottest rising emcees. Celebrate the release of 'D.Y.K.E. (Don't Yield, Keep Enduring)' at Kelly's...
Artist to Watch: Donte Thomas Readies His Summer Swag
Mac Smiff - May 14, 2019
The young rapper has been sitting on his colorful sophomore release for a minute now. With all of the elements nearly in place, get ready to hear a polished piece of stylish Portland hip-hop this...
New Year, New Music: Three Portland Artists to Watch in 2018
Dan Cable, Ryan J. Prado, Mac Smiff - Feb 1, 2018
Whether looking inward for inspiration or finding it in the wide world outside, our next class of fresh local talent features multifaceted songwriters and instrumentalists creating narrative...
Damian Lillard's Serious Game, On The Court and Mic
Mac Smiff - Nov 17, 2017
As he climbs the list of greatest Blazers, Damian Lillard also proves he’s a serious artist off the court. It might be time to stop talking about him as a "slash" rapper: Dame D.O.L.L.A.'s...
Three Portland Artists to Watch This Summer
Jeni Wren Stottrup, Mac Smiff, Ryan J. Prado - Jul 18, 2017
What’s old to you is new to someone else. From those with established indie creds stemming from years with The Shaky Hands and Genders, or an R&B collective featuring members who dabble in all...
Three Portland Artists to Watch This Spring
Jeni Wren Stottrup, Mac Smiff, Ryan J. Prado - Apr 26, 2017
This city is so full of talent that it’s easy to miss rising acts the first time around. But consistency is key and two of these artists have shown a penchant for pop aesthetics fused with gloom...
Three Portland Artists to Watch in 2017
Jeni Wren Stottrup, Anna McClain, Mac Smiff - Feb 1, 2017
It’s exciting to see more distinctive voices emerge in Portland’s rich music scene and watch these talents draw more willing participants—outsiders and insiders—into the fray. Smoothly produced...
Three Portland Artists to Watch
Mac Smiff, Jeni Wren Stottrup, Chris Young - Oct 24, 2016
Blessed by electropop, R&B and hip-hop, these three rising Portland artists have polished their craft into shimmering explosions of dance music, jazzy slow jams, and a focused, honest soliloquy...
Five Portland Artists to Watch
Ryan J. Prado, Eric Skelton, Mac Smiff, Jeni Wren Stottrup, Chris Young - Jul 21, 2016
From the synth pop of Small Million to the hip-hop of Aminé and psych rock of Arlo Indigo, Andrew Endres Collective's modern take on jazz and R&B from TYuS are also surfacing. Fresh on the scene,...
Portland Rap: Recognized and Rising
Mac Smiff - Oct 19, 2015
From feeling pushed out to making progress, PDX hip-hop goes from surviving to thriving as veteran rappers support new, younger voices who seek to make an impact and find crossover success.

Past Show Picks

Vortex Picks

Video