Before she produced for artists like Jhené Aiko, Vic Mensa, and Omarion, Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Shakari “TRAKGIRL” Linder was clocking in for the breakfast shift at McDonald’s.
At 15, Linder was learning the rhythm of the restaurant, taking orders and working the line to save up for her first trackpad.
Now, years later, Linder is stepping back under the Golden Arches as the brand’s official 2026 Music Curator.
From Cooking Breakfast to Cooking Beats
Drawing on her memories as a Crew member, Linder created an original song inspired by her time at the restaurant. The track, “Your Dreams Are Real,” features the sounds of soda fizz, ice clinks and the hustle and bustle of the DMV location where she once worked.
The instrumental invites listeners into an opening shift with the Crew while reinforcing the idea that whatever you are working toward may be closer than you think.
The song will anchor a TRAKGIRL-curated playlist rolling out in select restaurants nationwide.
“Creating this song and playlist took me right back to those early mornings on the breakfast line — the focus, the hustle, the rhythm of a team moving together,” Linder said of the ethereal-sounding melody. “Every beat I made and chose was inspired by that energy and the Crew living it right now. Coming back to McDonald’s as Music Curator is everything. It’s a chance to honor the place that helped me find my sound — and help the next generation find theirs.”
Linder is also inviting customers to try some of her favorite menu items that got her through her shifts, including the Egg McMuffin or the Filet-O-Fish, fresh apple pies, and an ice-cold Sprite.
McDonald’s is a Pathway To Success
Linder is one of roughly one in eight Americans who have worked at a McDonald’s restaurant at some point in their lives. Her first job not only helped her save for her first trackpad, but also helped build the skills that continue to fuel her career.
Precision, composure, hustle, time management and attention to detail were all skills she developed under the Golden Arches, skills that have since helped her build a career that includes Grammy recognition.
McDonald’s has long highlighted notable figures across industries who got their start at the restaurant. For the brand, Linder’s return as Music Curator represents more than a marketing moment. It reflects how a first job can become a launching pad for future opportunities.
“TRAKGIRL’s journey is a powerful example of the many paths that can begin at McDonald’s,” Nubia Murray, Senior Director, Brand Communications – US Impact, McDonald’s told The Black Wall Street Times. “She started on the breakfast line, developing the same foundational skills gained by many of the 1 in 8 Americans who have worked under the Golden Arches, and turned that experience into a career as a Grammy-nominated producer.
She continued. “Now, she has transformed the familiar sounds of our restaurants into an original song, proving that inspiration can come from anywhere and dreams can begin in unexpected places. Welcoming her back as McDonald’s official Music Curator is a proud full-circle moment and a reminder, especially to today’s Crew, that the skills and experiences gained at McDonald’s can help shape meaningful careers and open doors to new possibilities. We’re excited to turn up the volume on her 1 in 8 journey and help her pay it forward to the next generation of music creators through her Future of Sound Program.”
Keeping the Music Alive
Linder’s connection to McDonald’s extends beyond the single. Later this year, she will personally mentor an aspiring sonic visionary with music ambitions through her Future of Sound Residency.
The program builds on her mission to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the music industry.
Since her early days behind the counter, Linder has built a production career that earned her a 2025 Grammy nomination for her work on JID’s album, God Does Like Ugly, which was nominated for Best Rap Album.
She has also established herself as a creative technologist, encouraging producers to engage with industry tools not just as users, but as designers.
For Linder, the collaboration is a full-circle moment and a reminder that the skills developed in unexpected places can become building blocks for the life you want.
“Your Dreams Are Real” and TRAKGIRL’s curated playlist are now streaming on McDonald’s official Spotify and playing in select McDonald’s restaurants across the country.
