Michael Prophet

Michael Prophet is just one of those rare artists that come to surface every decade or so, that possesses the natural talent and expertise to bring the industry the change it so much needs today. Set to release the underground prequel EP, “The Last Supper” (2007 famRecordings/Champion Sound) in January of 2007, is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the success of the 12” single release, “Michael Music” (2002 famRecordings/PMG), he feels that there is no stone overturned as he’s preparing the world for the trilogy, “End The Beginning” . With three separate albums “The Dark”, “The Light”, and “The End”, and over 60 songs already recorded. We can only prepare for the outcome.Representing Phoenix, Arizona, or what he would refer to as Bedrokk, would include such cities as Las Vegas, Denver, and Albuquerque. Also known as the Wild, Wild, West, Michael has set up an independent network of artists, producers, and other business related partners, to form a much bigger and more widespread association. Along with the others outside of the Wild West region, this organization will only grow and solidify Michael’s position in the industry.Born in Washington, D.C’s Brentwood Village, Michael can recall all of the earliest memories of the family parties always starting off with the music being turned on loudly. From D.C’s own Marvin Gaye, to Al Green, Michael Jackson, all the way to Fleetwood Mac. As Michael got older, he got into the local Go-Go Bands like Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, EU, and Rare Essence. Definitely Michael had music in his genes being related to R&B singer Staci Lattisaw, but then he wanted to be more like the cool Donnie Simpson he would hear playing all his favorite songs on the radio. Michael would sneak on to the set off BET Headquaters with hopes of meeting the great Donnie, or at least catching a glimpse of Rachel. One day, he had his opportunity and received some of the best advice he ever had. “Follow your dreams”, he can still remember him say. That’s when Michael had made up his mind that he wanted to be in the music business. With the emergence of groups like Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, and Afrika Baambaata which drew him in closer to a form of music that would change everything. Michael felt it, and all of his neighborhood friends followed, playing in their loud boomboxes was Boogie Down Productions, The Fat Boys, Juice Crew, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, and Run D.M.C. to name just a few. As hip hop would gain its diversity, so did Michael as he would listen to LL Cool J, Ice T, EPMD, to 3rd Bass, A Tribe Called Quest, Too Short, and NWA.In 1990, he moved to Phoenix, where he would figure out he no longer wanted to stand on the sidelines as a fan. Michael was going to pursue his dream of becoming a rapper. From freestyling at lunchtime, banging on the lunchtables, to recording his first song that caught the attention of all of his peers. In 1991, he recorded his first demo with the group, Underground Sound Unit, and had the chance to go to L.A. for Saviour’s Day in 1992. There he met the likes of Ice Cube(Death Certificate) and Redman(Dare Is A Darkside) at the Echo Sound Studios and was blessed to sit in on their actual sessions and take notes. After several hazy days, Michael returned back to Phoenix with this great sence of urgency into get back the music scene. While in high school, there he met Adina Howard who also would record on his second demo. It seemed as if there was a formula for success brewing, as she would go on to record her smash hit “Freak Like Me” a year later. In 1994, the music took Michael to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he would become part of a rap group called Small Town. Then among all of the fellow artist, he would meet Xzibit as part of this group. Together the group of rappers would record over 30 songs and put them out independently. Xzibit who lived in LA at the time, would go on and get signed by Loud Records and drop “At The Speed Of Life”, while the rest of the group plotted how they can do the same without any handouts. Michael knew that it was only a matter of time before he would experience his own success in the industry.Since then, Michael has toured with Das EFX and has opened up for artists such as Common, The Roots, Boot Camp Click and the Alkoholics for starters. He has performed over 40 shows from D.C. to L.A.. Also promoting himself with the 2002 12” release “Michael Music”, he feels he has what it takes to take it to the next level. Michael has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, with his aggressive rap style and very sharp lyrics. Its very clear that Michael understands the game and how its played. With his own label famRecordings, he feels he has enough business sence to play along. After some success with the release, making some college radio playlists, top ten on a few, and some great reviews, he wants to take it a step further. Doing what no other artist have done before, Michael plans to release his first album in three parts .” End The Beginning: The Trillogy”, 1st part “The Dark”, which would include all of the street bangers, and hardcore cuts. “The Light” album, will boast all of the more conscious songs and “The End” promises to be the most contradictive so far. Michael plans to have the industry under his will by the time the 3rd album releases, hence the title “End The Beginning”.Michael Prophet only knows how far his vision will take him, and from the looks of it hes going to be around for a long time. With famRecordings, he wishes to bring in new talent along with new ideas to remain on the cutting edge in the music industry. “I would love to have the opportunity to be responsible for the success of anothers career as well as my own” explains Michael during a recent interview. Time will only tell as we anticipate Michael’s arrival, because “with or without corporate sponsorship, we still can follow through”. “And all you guys have to do is sit back, an enjoy something that’s going to be so amazing”.