Making the jump from Hollywood to the music industry isn't always easy, but Tristan Wilds is more than ready -- and a co-sign from his hometown heroes can't hurt.

The actor, who got his start on HBO's acclaimed series "The Wire" and took his career to even higher heights on "90210" and films like "The Secret Life of Bees" and "Red Tails," is ready to let his music voice be heard. Later this year, he will be releasing his major-label debut New York: A Love Story under the name Mack Wilds, and the album will feature two very important guests.

"We have two people that have collaborated, right now it's Method Man and Raekwon," Mack told MTV News, noting that they both appear on separate tracks.

Mack's current single "Own It," finds the 24-year-old Staten Island native singing his heart out over a drum pattern inspired by Eric B. & Rakim's 1980's hip-hop classic "Eric B. is President." Ne-Yo co-wrote the tune and Salaam Remi produced it. Like the majority of the album, the track has a vintage hip-hop grit to it. That's what attracted Raekwon and Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan to come in and collaborate with the emerging singer, who also spends a portion of his time on the album rapping.

Wilds' fans have yet to see what he has in store, but Meth got an early preview and gave Mack his vote of confidence. "He just called me on the phone and he told me that he heard the rest of the album and he was so proud of me, like an uncle," Mack said. "It was great."