VIDEO: Interview with Mike Check
We recently sat down with Mike Check to see what he thinks of the game today, and being challenged since day 1.
Interview with Mike Check
You’re a white rapper, so what does that mean?
“It’s sort of like a gift and a curse. On one side it’s easy to be noticed, you know, I stand out. But on the other side it’s easy for people to throw criticism your way. Yeah it’s a double edged sword. So, I definitely have to stay on top of my game.”
How do you think people see you?
“Well I’m not sure how people see me, but I can tell you how I’d like them to see me and that’s just basically for who I am. A kid that’s chasing his dreams, not letting anyone stop him. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.”
What do you think of the game right now and where it’s goin’?
“The game, I mean the game is always changin’. I was on the half that didn’t want the game to change because I mean, I grew up off of the late 80’s/90’s, BIG, early Nas. In the last 5 yrs the game has changed tremendously. A different route, and I’m just trying to redirect that route a little bit where we concentrate on the lyrics just as much as the beat and the hook. That’s really what my only argument was, it seemed like it was all about the hook. Nobody was paying attention to the verses no more and I just couldn’t understand it. Now, I can actually be part of that evolution, and bring it back to more about the writing, the wordplay and the lyrics.”
You used to be part of the movement/rap group Boro 6, what happened there?
“B6 yeah, it was me, Carlito da Don, Brolic, Gougz, K-Hazz, we were together for about 4-5 yrs and we did a lot of good things. I think the first thing that kinda threw us outta the loop was when Gougz caught a case. He went away for like 4 years. After that, things kinda started crumbling and we kinda fell apart. But for me to say that I’d be where I am today without having that experience, I’d be lying.”
Where do you do most of your writing?
“That’s a question I get asked a lot. Where do you I come up with concepts? And where do I find my inspiration. I write a lot, to tell you the truth, on the subway. Sitting there I got my headphones on, and things are moving past me. And I catch a lot of different vibes from a lot of different people. Tthen I try to bunch it all together and just jot it down. Other than being on the subway I like to be in my own space, like if I’m just at the crib, I just get in this creative zone.”
Are you intimidated by the thought of constantly being challenged?
“Nah, and I think that’s what so unique about hip hop. There’s always that underlying competition factor. Even if it’s not just like a beef, as far as ‘oh my lyrics are hotter than yours’ or this and that. So for me, to be challenged yeah, I’ve been challenged plenty of times. And you know, if I hadn’t been, then I definitely wouldn’t be where I am right now. So looking forward there’s gonna be more challenges and people will criticize. And I’m ready for that, it’s nothing new.”
What advice can you give to others trying to make an initial buzz?
“How do you make that initial buzz? Gotta get out there and network. I can remember being young and thinking to myself, ‘Man how am I ever gonna let all these big shots know who I am.’ It might seem like an unreachable dream at first, but you really gotta, you know, get on the internet and find out when the next industry party is. Find out where all of the big shots hangout, other rappers. Networking, it’s all about networking man. If someone never told me that some years ago, then I might in trouble right now. And you know once a few people hear it and then give you good feedback, you feel that much more confident to go to the next spot. That’s what it’s all about getting your buzz going, it’s hustling and grinding man. I don’t sleep anymore, I don’t sleep much. You really gotta get out there and hustle.”
Who are the main producers that you are working with?
“Yeah, I work with Sean Glass, from Thurotype Productions, Matty Ells from Lay’d Back. I’ve worked with both of them for a long time. They have a lot of talent. I really think we put a different spin on what’s going on in hip-hop today. In the future, I hope the fans love to hear it.”
Whose style or sound are you similar to?
“Every artist finds this the hardest question and so do I. I mean, who do I sound like? What’s my style? I know what I try to put across, I’m just trying to be that dreamer. Hopefully I don’t sound like anyone. I really can’t put my finger on who people might be comparing me to when they initially hear me. But I hope in the end that I sound like Mike Check.”
‘Control This Mind’ is a really creative song, how’d it come about?
“First of all, it’s produced by Matty Ells. How’d that song come about? You know I wrote that song so many years ago and when I heard that beat for some reason the lyrics just came back to me. And it was like, ‘wow these lyrics would go perfectly over this track.’ But the first time how the lyrics came about, it was just one of those creative spaces that you get in and you don’t really know how you got there. And your ideas just loop. One of those creative Rain Man type of places that you know some artists get into. And I couldn’t tell you how the initial thought came into my head to make that song.”
What’s next?
“What’s next? Well I’m working on my debut album right now, ‘Personal Check’. Hopefully, that’s gonna drop fourth quarter, maybe first quarter next year. TKMG (The Kinetic Music Group), we’re getting that off the ground; trying to launch a couple artists off of that platform. Besides that, you know it’s just all about getting out there and doing the shows; grinding with the promotions. Hopefully we’ll make a lot of good things happen in the next year.”
Peace Out!
