Sitting alone in front of the soundboards in a dimly lit studio, an artist intently hones his craft. The task at hand is a follow-up to the acclaimed album "This Is Me". A rarity in this art form, Mic One retains complete ownership of his passion. From creating the tracks to penning the sometimes controversial, although always thought provoking lyrics, Mic refuses to alter his vision to please the masses on this album. Combining his sharp wit with an offbeat view of society, his songs range from humorous to poignant while steering away from a watered-down, saturated market.
Mic One remains somewhat of a mystery. In a city where success in hip-hop has been difficult to attain, Mic has achieved a level of success which is quite admirable considering the lack of mainstream air play his album has received. With the recent success of Chicago hip-hop, his name is continually mentioned when the topic of up and coming artists is discussed. But to say up and coming is an understatement. Although his climb to success has been gradual, Mic's talents have been recognized by a number of hip-hop heavyweights who have requested him as an opening act, including Busta Rhymes, KRS-One, Ice Cube, Scarface and Cam'ron. Parliament Funkadelics's George Clinton, featured on the remix of "Get Stoopid" (added to the Winter Music Conference Compilation), has been known to pop up at various Mic One shows as well.
Actually, show is an understatement. The atmosphere can be better described as an "event". He performs his shows with a full band, including guitar legend/producer Kevon Smith and the world-renown DJ Risky Bizness. His onstage antics are more rock star than street rapper, without affecting his credibility as a respected emcee. With a large female following serving as a base, his crowd is largely eclectic, with fans ranging from underground heads to hipsters. In addition to traditional hip-hop, he's critically acclaimed for changing up his own originals, and even throwing in some obscure covers. In an ode to his influences, which range anywhere from rock and soul to reggae, you can expect to hear covers ranging from Radiohead to Bob Marley, leaving fans in amazement at the seamless transitions between genres.
What the future holds for Mic One is unknown. What is known is his desire to be considered one of the most revered songwriters/performers of his generation. Setting the bar high to be hip-hop's Bob Dylan, Mic One will continue his social commentary in hopes that his music reaches and changes at least one.
