1. Artist name and where did it originated from?
My name is MikeyyAustin. Born as Michael Austin, but I've been called Mikeyy throughout my childhood.
2. Where are you from?
I am from the Northside of Lansing, Michigan. Born, raised, and still a resident of Lansing!
3. Influences/Inspirations?
My inspirations range from musicians, to activist, to people that are in my immediate circle or that I come into contact with on the daily. Some of my biggest influences musically are of all genres. The Roots and J-Dilla are huge for me, seeing how they merged live instrumentation and different genres over a hip-hop sound bed. I love anything soulful, from old to new. That includes artist like Stevie Wonder, The Gap Band, Earth Wind & Fire, to Erykah Badu, NAO, Sabrina Claudio, Smino and more. As far as artist/activist and public figures, James Baldwin, Gil Scott-Heron, and Langston Hughes. If you mix all of those individuals, My love for my community and helping those in need, I think I can be found somewhere in the middle.
4. What makes your music different than other singers ?
I think my overall style is different than a lot of others. I use a lot of live instrumentation in my music. Whether thats me playing something, or having one of my band members accenting a song. My message is also what sets me apart. The Up(LIFTED) theme has been in my music since the beginning and I hope that through my music, listeners can be uplifted. Thats not something thats too common in Hip-Hop.
5. Dream collab?
My dream collab would probably be with a producer. Someone like Freddie Joachim of Mellow Orange Music, Terrance Martin, or 9th Wonder. Or all three at the same time. They are some of my favorite artist.
6. Favorite rapper and why?
My favorite rapper category includes artist like Black Thought, Kendrick Lamar, Smino, and Isaiah Rashad. But my number one would probably have to be Oddisee. I love the fact that he produces his music, rocks with a live band, and is a testament that with hard work and consistency, you can take your craft across the globe. I can see a lot of myself in his approach, and his music is pretty relate able as well.
7. Where do you see yourself In 10 years?
In ten years, I see myself doing what I'm doing now but on a stage much bigger. Traveling and performing my music to fans and new faces, while giving back to my community and high schoolers hoping to pursue post-secondary education in the arts. As of now, I raise money for art scholarships for High Schoolers in my community. I would love to get to the point where I'm doing more than making a dent in their tuition fee, but helping so that kids won't have to worry about tuition at all.
8. Favorite album?
My favorite album changes by the week. It is hard to pin just one down, but I'd have to go with Good Kid Maad City. I remember listening to it non-stop in high-school, and revisiting it now and it just continues to get better. It is truly timeless music and some of Kendrick's best work!
9. Upcoming projects?
Right now, I am gearing up to release a mixtape in January titled, "Art4Sale". The project is fun and comes from a place of having peace as an artist and wanting to share a piece of that peace to a world that needs it. I am also working on an EP collab with an amazing Clothing Line out of Lansing called LNSNG, prod. Ess Be of Illect Recording. You can check out LNSNG at https://www.lnsng.co/.
10. Fun fact about you?
I love working with students and sowing into their lives so much, that I now work at four schools doing restorative justice, helping students with conflict resolution, preventative actions with an artsy approach. Outside of that, I lead assemblies at Schools, bringing in topics like identity while merging the Hip-Hop flare. Check it out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LBBByUcVI4
