Grammy-Nominated Producer TRAKGIRL returns to where her career began as McDonald's 2026 Music Curator with a brand-new song

CHICAGO July 21, 2026 — McDonald’s is turning up the volume on a story years in the making. This summer, Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter and entrepreneur Shakari “TRAKGIRL” Linder returns to where her career began as McDonald’s official 2026 Music Curator, releasing an original song inspired by her time as a Crew member. The song will stream on McDonald’s Spotify and play in select restaurants across the country, bringing the sounds, hustle and heart of the restaurant to life for Crew and fans.

As one of the 1 in 8 Americans who has worked at a McDonald's restaurant, TRAKGIRL knows firsthand how lessons learned behind the counter can launch careers at McDonald's and beyond. Long before producing hits for some of today’s biggest artists, TRAKGIRL worked the breakfast shift, where she learned the rhythm of the restaurant. That first job didn't just help her save up for her first trackpad; it built the skills that still power her career today: precision, composure, hustle, time management and attention to detail – the same skills that turn goals into Grammy nominations.

The Beat from Behind the Counter

For TRAKGIRL, the inspiration for the song had to start where her story did – McDonald's. TRAKGIRL clocked back in behind the counter to record the sounds of a McDonald's, then flipped the soda fizz, ice clinks and the restaurant bustle into the beat. The result is a song that hits like a real shift: a dreamlike intro, an affirmation that "your dreams are real," and a groove that channels the rhythm, energy and heart of Crew life. The record will headline a TRAKGIRL-curated playlist, hitting the speakers at select McDonald’s restaurants coast to coast.

“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, "said Shakari “TRAKGIRL” Linder. “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.”

And the mic doesn't drop there. Later this year, TRAKGIRL will personally mentor a McDonald’s Crew member with music ambitions of their own through her Future of Sound Residency – continuing her mission to open doors for underrepresented voices in music.

So, this year, every Egg McMuffin made, every order called and every shift clocked has a soundtrack. One that says: the first shift could be the start of something big.

McDonald’s USA
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, and follow us on social: X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

McDonald’s 1 in 8

The 1 in 8 is a community of current and former Crew members who have worked at a McDonald’s restaurant. Whether their career continues within the Golden Arches or beyond, the 1 in 8 platform celebrates approximately 40 million past and present Crew who make up our diverse network of 1 in 8ers nationwide. Members can celebrate their pride and stay up to date on www.McDonalds1in8.com.

Shakari “TRAKGIRL” Linder

Shakari “TRAKGIRL” Linder, is a Grammy-nominated music producer, songwriter, and creative technologist whose work bridges contemporary sound with innovative technology. Rooted in hip-hop and R&B, she has developed a production style defined by emotional depth, precision, and modern sonic architecture, operating at the intersection of music production, creative technology, and design. Her multidisciplinary approach allows her to contribute across all stages of the creative process and makes her a trusted collaborator for artists such as Jhené Aiko, James Blake, A$AP Rocky, Vic Mensa, Luke James, and Andra Day.

Beyond traditional production, TRAKGIRL is deeply engaged in creative technology design and development. Viewing music as both an art form and a technical discipline, she advocates for producers to engage with technology not only as users but as designers shaping the tools they depend on, reflecting her commitment to integrating innovation with musical integrity while helping redefine modern music creation. To learn more about TRAKGIRL, visit https://www.trakgirl.com.

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Contact: press@us.mcd.com