The Voice 24 Playoffs: Team Legend’s Mac Royals Peaks At The Right Time with “Untitled (How Does It Feel”
The Voice Season 24 Playoffs wrapped up Tuesday night (Nov 28) with Team John Legend artists performing for a spot in the Top 12, revealed at the end of the episode. Team Legend featured some amazing performances, including Arkansas singer Mac Royals who delivered a showstopping, chill-worthy performance of D’Angelo’s 2000 hit, “Untitled (How Does it Feel).” (Read our Recap)
Prior to the rehearsal clip, John tells Mac, “you were the talk of the Knockouts, it was incredible.” Reba McEntire, his former coach, thinks he could be a “huge contender to win.” John adds, “He has such range, such character, such texture, I could see him actually being an R&B star.” Mac says, “I heard this song for the first time when I was around 13 or 14, and it started my love for R&B.” He describes how he had to hide his love for R&B music while growing up in a religious household. John advises him to “think about what the song should feel like” when singing the hook of the song. He tells him to bring D’Angelo’s “gospel energy” and “rock ‘n roll energy” to the performance.
Is Mac Royals Team Legend’s front runner?
Mac has given some solid performances this season, but I have been waiting for a complete performance from him, and on Tuesday night he gave just that by both bringing the entertainment factor as well as stellar vocals. Mac began the song with very sultry vocals, exuding charisma. His runs were silky smooth and gave me instant chills. The way he played with volumes and dynamics was masterful in this performance and his control of his falsetto was incredible. This was one of the best vocals of the entire Playoffs. If he continues to deliver like this, he could go very far and be Team Legend’s front runner.
The judges felt the same way, praising Mac. He wowed Gwen Stefani. She says, “I’m literally blown away right now, that is a star standing next to you, Carson.” Reba said, “you have grown leaps and bounds, I am so proud of you, I know your grandma would be too”. Niall Horan tells Mac, “the way you answered yourself back in a different tone, so tasteful. I felt like I was watching the grand finale and America were just about ready to pick up the phone and vote because that was a different level.” Niall pleads that he must go through. John notes how long he has been making R&B music and says, “I just put you up there with the best that I’ve been around,” calling him the “complete package.” He adds, “I’m ready to hear a Mac record right now.”
Team Legend and the Top 12 revealed
John advanced Mac Royals as a part of his final 3. He also advanced fellow R&B singer AZÁN who sang a solid version of Miguel’s “Adorn,” and indie folk singer Lila Forde who’s tone shined on “Angel From Montgomery.” This was the correct three singers to advance, as Lila gives the team some diversity, but some may argue that big-voiced singer, Kaylee Shimizu, who was sent packing, had a higher ceiling than fellow Team Legend members. Other singers who were also eliminated included Country singer Kristen Brown and soul singer Taylor Deneen.
Overall, the Top 12 is very strong, and we had some very strong playoff moments including Mac’s performance on Tuesday night. Hopefully this level of performance continues on when the show goes live next week.
