Max Castillo, better known by his stage name Big Time Maca, has dropped a comedic rap album that’s sure to have listeners laughing and grooving. Released on 27th September 2024, ‘Big Time Album‘ follows the successful release of his music video for ‘Bed By 9‘ earlier last month. Some of the songs remind us of Lil’ Dicky, and had ALL laughing out loud over here, and for good reason. You can check out the new album on Spotify and Apple Music.
A Florida native now based in Los Angeles, the 32-year-old comedian has been making waves in the comedy rap scene. His unique blend of humour and catchy beats has earned him a dedicated following. We recently caught up with Castillo to discuss his new album, his favourite artists, and his future plans.
Welcome to Chulo Magazine, Max! So, we heard that you got the first write-up of your career with Chulo Magazine. How did that feel?
It felt awesome! Seeing one of my projects be written about was so dope. As a creative (and especially in comedy), a lot of the time it feels like you’re just posting/sending these projects into a void so to actually see y’all grab onto it and want to share it was DOPE! Also felt like the universe at work because my dad is from Cuba, and when he was in the Navy his pilot nickname was ‘Papi Chulo’. It was meant to be!
We totally agree! So what are your favourite tracks on your new album, Big Time Album, and why?
I’m so proud of this project and love them ALL for sure. ‘Bed By 9’ will forever be my biggest love from this due to it being the catalyst for starting the album – and my director for the music video, Christian Klein is a certified genius. But my other standouts are 5’7″ & Proud because it’s so fun to do live (and also a much-needed anthem for us shorter kings). We’ve been down for too long – and we’ll continue to be down but now we are RESPECTED – also it’s my favourite beat on the album, shouts out to my producer/BFF Evil Laugh (aka Tommy Wakefield)!
I also love ‘Adult Money’, my other BFF Aaron Monte (Mr. Monte of Run The Fools) absolutely killed his part and the vibe is so fun. ‘Two Christmases’ is a standout to me as well because it hits so hard as a child of divorce. To me, these three really encapsulate the combo of subverting expectations with an unexpected sense of optimism- which is what I love doing in my comedy. The world is already tough enough, let’s have fun! Your parents split up? That’s tough, but now guess what? TWO CHRISTMASES!
Beyond your own music, which artists right now are you most enjoying and appreciating on the scene?
I’ve always been a huge hip-hop and R&B fan- one of my earliest memories of having a favourite song was listening to TLC’s ‘Waterfalls’ with my mom. I don’t listen to a TON of new artists- at 32 I am embracing my new phase of being ‘an oldhead’ lmao. My staples: OutKast stays in rotation in my household, as does MF DOOM, Mac Miller, Miles Davis, and Wynton Marsalis (I love jazz). Also got really into DJ Screw last year too! More modern artists – Isaiah Rashad (easily my favourite of the last decade), Vince Staples, Doechii, Berlioz, Shakewell, and Larry June, too.
I love Larry June. He’s the healthiest rapper in the game. Other rappers talk about being up all night grinding and Larry June is straight spitting about getting eight hours of sleep and getting up early to drink green tea. Incredible.
You’ve got some solid taste in music! Are there certain artists, comedians, or creators that you’re really itching to work with?
The Lonely Island are like my end-all-be-all bucket list collaborator. Growing up I was HUGELY influenced by them- with the digital shorts on SNL, Hot Rod, and even the old YouTube sketches (me and my friend used to quote Backseatsman in high school). Donald Glover is definitely high up there for me. I remember finding the Derrick Comedy YouTube channel in ninth grade, around 2006, and immediately becoming a fan. It’s been amazing to watch that dude crush it in so many different things for like two decades. Zack Fox would be so fun to do a song with. Before it ended, I REALLY wanted to get on Kenny Beats’ [YouTube series] The Cave (Kenny, bring it back!). Finally, I would be so HYPED to be interviewed by Nardwuar! That’s how I will know I have really made it.
Well for us, the whole album is great. You can definitely hear The Lonely Island influences! In addition to doing your own music, we were thinking you’d be awesome at doing song parodies as well. What would be some songs you think you’d do a solid parody of?
That’s so funny- the first comedy stuff I started making in high school was song parodies on YouTube! Some bangers included ‘I’m On Lunch’ (a parody of Future and Drake’s ‘I’m On One’ about taking my lunch break) and ‘Stuntin’ Like a Caddy’ (a golf-themed take on Lil Wayne’s ‘Stuntin’ Like My Daddy’). What a good question!
To be honest, I haven’t thought about doing parody songs in so long – currently I do crank out a lot of parody songs when singing to my dog. It’s a big habit to just replace any lyrics of what’s playing to be about my dog Iggy. For example, if ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac was playing, I’d do my best raspy Stevie Nicks voice and sing ‘Iggy is only growling when he’s plaaaaayingggg, he’s always laaaying where I’m laaaying’. Do you guys think that would pop off?
First, dogs are awesome, so you can’t go wrong there. We’re already laughing, and you won’t know until you go for it, right? Now, what are your overall thoughts or feelings towards the music industry today? What are you happy to be seeing and what do you think needs to change or improve?
I still feel pretty new to it – this album is my first real foray – but one thing I love is how social media can be utilized to build an audience. I’ve had a ton of fun using it for both comedy and music, and it really can be a great equalizer for smaller artists to put themselves out there and help them grow organically. In comedy, it used to be that you had to either get in at a comedy club or an improv theatre, get noticed/repped, and go from there.
Now, if you’re putting out content people love and resonate with, you can do your own tours, merch, and earning. It’s awesome! I think what needs to change (and not just for music but entertainment as a whole) is that it seems like studios/labels/networks don’t like taking a chance on something new. We have too many remakes of films/TV shows! Let someone new have a crack at it. But that’s where the Internet comes in I guess. The game these days is to already be a proven commodity by the time you take a major label/network step.
We ABSOLUTELY agree with the remakes thing. Nice to know we’re not alone. So, what is your greatest objective or hope that people take away from going from the first track to the last track of your album?
I just want people to have fun with it! And maybe have a little brighter view of their day/week/life after. It sounds cliche but that’s ultimately why I make comedy and music – just to help someone else laugh and forget their problems even if only for a moment. I’m super proud of the energy in this album and how the songs are fun to dance to, fun to laugh to, and also relatable. Who among us doesn’t feel a little dopamine when we decide to splurge on guac at Chipotle? This album is for everyone.
Got any shows coming up? We get tickets, right?
Of course! Lifetime comp status to my shows for the first write-up [laughs]. Can’t help you out with that two-item minimum tho. Right now, I’m in NYC doing shows in mid-October, and I’m headlining American Comedy Co. in San Diego on November 21st. I’m working to put some more dates on the calendar in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and others! All my shows/tickets are on my social media – hit them up! And if you’re reading this, PLEASE join my email list and tell me to come to your city! I’ll make it happen pinky promise.
We’re sure we can swing a two-drink minimum! What do you want to say to your fans out there who have followed your career since you started?
I can’t thank them enough. The first thing most people know me from was my viral TikTok about the pause screen music from Goldeneye 007 on N64, and I still have people to this day recognizing me from it. I’m also so grateful that people keep supporting me as I move and grow as a comedian and artist, that’s a big thing for me. Sometimes (especially on social media) people can get backed into a corner on their content, but you gotta just push through and keep creating what you want. I hope y’all will continue to support me until I’m eighty years old still hitting the Dougie in videos. This is just the beginning!
Well, we’re definitely fans over here. Thanks for the chat, and we’re looking forward to whatever you come up with next!
You can keep up with Big Time Maca on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
