Flow State with Harry Mack

Play Without Reason

Flow State with Harry Mack

Show Notes

In Episode 18 of Flow State Podcast, Harry dives deep into the art of rediscovering a sense of play in music and how it can reinvigorate creativity. He breaks down the essential hip-hop albums that every new listener should experience, shares his go-to exercises for improving free association skills and offers advice on how to stick to mindfulness routines even when it feels like a struggle. After reacting to a fan-submitted freestyle and reliving his epic 2022 jam session with the legendary Beardyman, Harry wraps up the episode with a freestyle recap, weaving together the key moments of the show with his signature bars.

Australia and New Zealand Odyssey Tour Tickets Now Available: https://harrymackofficial.com/shows

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SHOW NOTES

Dunning-Kruger Effect

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/dunning-kruger-effect

**Harry’s Influential Albums List**

Nas - Illmatic https://open.spotify.com/album/3kEtdS2pH6hKcMU9Wioob1?si=-Sv0xJKfRj2OrFUzFJWIfw

A Tribe Called Quest

The Low End Theory

https://open.spotify.com/album/1p12OAWwudgMqfMzjMvl2a?si=2JWU4dN9Stii-PlLhKR5lA

Midnight Marauders

https://open.spotify.com/album/4v5x3Oo3UjQ9YmF3hRAip5?si=GSkjuxIYRcqDCJydUVC_vQ

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

https://open.spotify.com/album/3tQd5mwBtVyxCoEo4htGAV?si=2-JDNs4cQhKpN8k5Xmt5sA

Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full

https://open.spotify.com/album/3miZDfDnP7SmOXAJXWdFmz

Kendrick Lamar

To Pimp a Butterfly

https://open.spotify.com/album/7ycBtnsMtyVbbwTfJwRjSP?si=wXOoDbIGQTOPR828tk20xw

good kid, m.A.A.d city

https://open.spotify.com/album/748dZDqSZy6aPXKcI9H80u?si=jY3yhadIQqOGt8T600CuYw

Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

https://open.spotify.com/album/1BZoqf8Zje5nGdwZhOjAtD?si=kbmcA7yMRuCr9dw53EJHYw

The Fugees - The Score

https://open.spotify.com/album/18XFe4CPBgVezXkxZP6rTb?si=Bk34i5DeRwSev7Hk_0bfuw

**Harry Mack x Beardyman | None Of This Was Planned**

https://youtu.be/MUFdWM69bDM?si=yIPE8ED02QJ-vfnh

Beardyman

https://www.beardyman.co.uk/ -----

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:54 Playing Around with Music

00:15:46 Question 1: How do you overcome challenges with mindfulness and sticking to your daily morning pages?

00:29:42 Question 2: What are some essential albums that someone should listen to If they’re new to hip-hop?

00:40:56 Question 3: Have you freestyled to odd time signatures?

00:51:47 Question 4: Do you know of any ways to train free association skills for rapping?

00:57:56 Fan Freestyle Submission

01:05:18 Harry Reacts to Harry - Beardyman session

01:23:55 Closing Freestyle

More from Flow State with Harry Mack

Sep 28, 2026

In Episode 42 of Flow State Podcast, Harry settles into a new studio and reflects on the question, “Have I made it yet?” This episode’s Moments of Flow clips feature Busta Rhymes and Ethan Hawke, resulting in discussions of writing bars ahead of time, and the value of art. Harry considers the balance between cleverness and technique when creating, and talks about the process of practicing new skills. Finally, he reacts to a fan-submitted freestyle, and closes the episode out with some bars of his own.

Aug 31, 2026

In Episode 41 of Flow State Podcast, Harry reflects on the lack of permanence in life as he prepares to move again, and explores how constantly chasing new gear can become a form of procrastination. He discusses the minimum conditions needed to create, how to push through mental fatigue, and whether it’s actually possible to perfect the art of freestyle. After responding to a fan-submitted freestyle, Harry puts the episode’s ideas to the test with a freestyle of his own.

Aug 10, 2026

In Episode 40 of Flow State Podcast, Harry reflects on his recent European tour and explores the power of musical influence in this episode’s Moments of Flow featuring Branford Marsalis. In Meet The Team, video editor Todd asks Harry how he processes the impact his work has on fans’ lives. Harry also answers questions about what makes a freestyle memorable, his thoughts on AI freestyles, and just how far ahead he thinks while freestyling. After reacting to a fan-submitted freestyle, Harry recaps the episode in classic Flow State fashion.Show Notes: Iconoclast https://www.harrymackofficial.com/iconoclast Branford Marsalis https://www.branfordmarsalis.com/ Marsalis Family https://marsalismusic.com/marsalis-family Art Blakey http://artblakey.com/ Philly Joe Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philly_Joe_Jones Papa Jo Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Jones Big Sid Catlett https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Catlett Kenny Clarke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Clarke Todd Bishop https://www.instagram.com/bldg17/ www.toddbishop.co Omegle Bars 18 (with Di3sel Optic) https://youtu.be/VBBMfHGMs7Isi=0EbPR0rvEIVvCOyQ&t=785 Kendrick Video https://youtube.com/shorts/91G9Y4Fj_Ls Drive-By Freestyles In NYC - Nobody Saw It Coming https://youtu.be/iwitE5_mW60 Harry Mack Turns Up The SEC Championship Tailgate | Guerrilla Bars 73 https://youtu.be/WUmFHa73rDI The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron https://bookshop.org/a/102858/9780143129257 My Most Embarrassing Moments in Freestyle | Flow State with Harry Mack #39 (Saul Good Freestyle) https://youtu.be/MfLYdyw2CEs?si=hqSCrIALviYg-Ahw&t=4780 Wozz Beats https://www.youtube.com/@wozzbeats/videos

Jul 20, 2026

In Episode 39 of Flow State Podcast, Harry returns with a solo episode as he prepares for his European tour. This episode’s Moments of Flow features Rick Rubin talking about ignoring the outcome when being creative, and a bonus Moment of Flow features a costumed character absolutely shredding it on the drums. In Meet The Team, iKaanic asks Harry about his obsession with practicing. Harry also reflects on embarrassing moments that have stayed with him over the years, reacts to a fan-submitted freestyle, and closes the episode with his signature recap freestyle.

Jun 29, 2026

In Episode 38 of Flow State Podcast, Harry returns with a solo episode introducing the world to his alter ego, "Vacation Harry," and reflecting on the importance of rest, balance, and creativity. This episode’s Moments of Flow features Austin Kleon, who shares why there’s no finish line to a creative life, along with a bonus moment of inspiration from David Bowie. In Meet The Team, Cheyne asks Harry how becoming a father has influenced his creativity. Harry also answers fan questions about the relationship between music and memory, finding flow state in the kitchen, and rap’s lasting influence, before reacting to a fan-submitted freestyle and closing the episode with some bars.

See all episodes →