Craig Jamieson Mack (May 10, 1970 – March 12, 2018) was an American rapper and record producer. He helped build the foundation for Bad Boy Records, one of hip hop’s most influential labels.
Born in The Bronx but raised in Long Island, Craig Mack began rapping as a teenager under the name MC EZ and released one single in 1988, “Just Rhymin'” backed with “Get Retarded,” as part of MC EZ & Troup. Mack then became friends with fellow Long Island hip hop act EPMD and eventually went on tour with the duo, doing jobs as a roadie. After a few years without forward movement in his recording career, Mack took advantage of an opportunity to rap for Sean Combs, and secured a record deal with Combs’s newly founded label, Bad Boy. Mack is best known for his 1994 hit, “Flava in Ya Ear”.