Last week, we saw the release of Mikkey’s new single “The Exorcist”, produced by No I.D. Due to the controversial content and subject matter of the song, it left a lot of people scratching their heads as to who Mikk was addressing in the track, if anyone at all. Well, this evening Mikk took to his blog to discuss the track and the mystery surrounding it.
First of all, I wanna say thanks to all those who have supported the release of my first official single “Exorcist” produced by No ID. As I read the comments on the blogs and sites, I see that a lot of people think I was taking personal shots at certain rappers…but let me take the time to put those rumors to rest. Exorcist isn’t about anyone personally. It’s about hip-hop as a whole.
I feel that before hip-hop was concerned with validation from Radio and Awards Shows it was in a much purer form. I feel like the internet boom and all of the sites and blogs are helping to give dope artists a platform to restore the balance. Yet and still, it’s uneven.
Think about it, in a landscape where labels hold radio spins so sacred, how can the Tribe Called Quest’s and Ice Cube’s of today be heard on a national mainstream level? Imagine if hip-hop was in the state that it’s in now back during Hip-hop’s golden years.
Would Ice Cube and NWA have gotten deals? What about Nas? Whould they have said Illmatic didn’t have a radio record with legs? Would Tribe have got signed? X-Clan? Would the label ask Public Enemy to give them a radio smash? Would the we have gotten to know about and enjoy Black Moon, Lord Finesse and Big L? What if a young Common Sense was trying to get signed in today’s hip-hop climate? Would he get a deal, or would he be told that he needed a hit? I think you get my point.
Hip-hop never need validation from the establishment to be dope. Remember when only hip-hop like Mc Hammer and Young Mc were winning Grammys? How many grammys did GangStarr win? Did we care? We knew Gangstarr was light years better than Young Mc, right?
I’m happy that hip-hop has grown and song’s like Jay-Z’s “DOA” produced by my buddy No ID can take home the hardware now. But as a whole, are the new Public Enemies and NWA’s of the world being lost in the label shuffle? What do you think?
In other Mikkey news, today WBMZ blessed us with a new song recently added into rotation on their All Chicago, All The Time internet radio station. If you’re unfamiliar with WBMZ, you should be be checking it out as soon as you leave this post. This new joint is from Twenty and it features Mikkey, Derty Harry and Big Kannon and can be found after the jump.
Twenty feat. Mikkey Halsted, Derty Harry & Big Kannon – Chicagorilla
Twenty (20) – Chicagorilla ft. Derty Harry, Big Kannon & Mikkey Halsted
I think alot of fukkas got hip hop & real life confused. I also think alot of y’all are full of shit.
Great points Mikkey. It’s certainly true that labels and fans don’t care much about pushing the envelope on creativity.
i thought it was obvious it was a general statement. is everyone always trying to find some shit buried in a rhyme?
Well said. Half of hip-hop is B/S any way. That’s why I mostly listen to house and dance music.
Mik u got a point on dis won famo! alot of dese shortys is to yung to know about thatz real musik like u and Lupe be makin.