Nowadays, Mark Wahlberg is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. But before he began starring in mega-blockbusters, the now-actor used to be a musician. In fact, he was one of the original members of New Kids on the Block. However, he quit the boy band after a couple of months because he didn’t really like their music style.
After his short time on NKOTB, Wahlberg went on to try his luck with another music genre. In the early 90s, he formed a hip-hop group with his brother called Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The group ultimately disbanded in 1993, but Wahlberg continued to have a rather successful career as a rapper until 1998, when he quit to become an actor full-time.
Although their careers share some resemblances, Wahlberg can’t stand to be compared to this one rapper. Can you guess who it is?
The Reason Why Mark Wahlberg Decided To Quit Music And Pursue Acting Instead
After Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch disbanded, Mark Wahlberg continued making music as a solo artist. He went on to make several Top Ten hits, such as ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Wildside.’ However, Wahlberg’s acting career was rather short-lived. The rapper ultimately quit music to pursue an acting career in 1998.
Years later, Wahlberg revealed that he chose to quit music for acting mainly because his recording studio was pushing him to make movies, in an attempt to promote his music. It also didn’t help that the studio wanted to make a kind of music he didn’t really enjoy.
“They wanted me to be a little more commercial, take my pants off more. Do a duet with a girl singer. They didn’t want me to do what I wanted to do and to be who I am. So, I just got a little frustrated by that,” Wahlberg revealed during an appearance on The Ellen Show. “I think I could have been a lot more successful, had I been allowed to do what I wanted to do. I think the record company had one specific idea, and they wanted to go for that.”
He also explained that he felt jealous of his brother, Donnie Wahlberg, who was having a lot of success with the New Kids on the Block.
“I had just gotten out of jail and I wanted to make a record. I saw my brother making millions of dollars and I’m still struggling, so I kind of compromised a little bit. But, when they continued to push me further in the opposite direction, that’s when I decided not to make another record and to wait out my contract.”
So, he decided to quit music altogether to try his luck in another industry. And he clearly hit the jackpot with acting.
Mark Wahlberg Doesn’t Like To Be Compared With Eminem
Around the time Mark Wahlberg quit music, Eminem’s career was just starting. Given that both rappers first tried their luck at acting while their music careers were still growing, they’ve been compared to each other on more than one occasion. But Wahlberg doesn’t like this at all.
In a resurfaced interview with IGN, Wahlberg was asked if he thought he could’ve been Eminem if he hadn’t quit music so early on. “Could I have been Eminem? I certainly hope not. I like Eminem, I think Eminem’s really talented, but I’m trying to go a completely different route,” Wahlberg answered. It was clear that the rapper-turned-actor didn’t like the comparison.
Wahlberg then went on to explain how his personal experiences and positive vibes couldn’t be more different than that of Eminem.
“I love my mother, man. Are you crazy? No, I can’t be a bad influence on anybody. But, I think there’s a lot more to what he does than that. There’s certainly a shock value that’s kind of gotten him to a certain place, but the guy’s got a lot of talent. It’s just, you know, I came from the real thing and I was trying desperately to get away from that,” he said.
It seems that the constant comparisons led to a secret feud between Wahlberg and Eminem back in the day. In fact, the actor recently admitted that he did have some, now resolved, issues with the rapper. “Very cool guy, very talented. And yes, I didn’t give him credit for that a long time ago. I was a hater because he’s a better rapper than me,” Wahlberg revealed in an interview with GQ.
Mark Wahlberg Is Considering Quitting Acting, But Will He Ever Resume His Music Career?
Most recently, Mark Wahlberg left Hollywood to start a production company in Las Vegas. Plus, the actor hinted that he might be quitting acting sometime in the future.
“I don’t think that I’ll be acting that much longer at the pace I am now,” he admitted.
Even if he decided to quit acting, it’s certain that Wahlberg won’t be resuming his music career as Marky Mark. After all, the movie star currently has his hands full with all his business ventures, which include his production company Closest to the Hole, his restaurant Wahlburgers, his nutrition company Performance Inspired, and the Mark Wahlberg Auto Group.
Source: NewsFinale
