Pat McAfee is trading his broadcast microphone for a recording booth, announcing a debut album he says grew out of two decades of public backlash.
The former WWE commentator revealed the project framing it not as a celebrity side venture but as his chance to tell his own story before the headlines do it for him.
McAfee shared the news through social media, describing the record as something he has been building toward for close to 20 years.
According to Pat McAfee (via Twitter/X), the album is titled The Diary of a Polarizing Figure, with a stated release date of August 14.
The message leaned personal rather than promotional.
For as long as I can remember my mere existence has made people hate my guts… I’ve been writing songs about it for 20yrs & it’s time to let them aht.. A LOT of headlines & narratives.. if I was to die, I’d like my kids to know exactly who their dad is,” McAfee wrote.
A Project Rooted In Criticism
McAfee has spoken on his show about writing music for years, tying the material directly to how he has been perceived. He said he had been taking notes on his feelings toward criticism and public opinion for two decades.
I’ve been writing songs and raps and different stuff for about 20 years. I’ve been taking notes about how I’ve felt about different situations, how I’ve felt about different people’s opinions of me, how I’ve felt about different people’s thoughts of me,” McAfee explained.
He has been adamant that the record is a serious effort, not a throwaway.
“This is not a celebrity vanity project. This is an actual album that I put a lot of time, effort, thought and energy into because I felt like I had a lot of stories to tell,” he said.
He has already released a single titled “Dookie” as a preview, telling listeners a full album would follow.
His wrestling run is behind him. After WrestleMania 42, McAfee said he felt he had accomplished everything he wanted in the ring, calling the wrestling business part of his “rearview mirror.” That closure is part of why he stepped away from post-WrestleMania 42 plans.
The album news also arrives amid reporting that McAfee could more than double his ESPN salary in a new deal. Between his broadcast future and now a music project, the polarizing label he has carried for years is one he appears ready to put to work.
