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Check out one of our newest interviews with the New York City’s act, Mike Street / EMSTATE. Learn more about Mike as he lets us in on who he is and his mission.
Have fun reading this fantastic spotlight.
Isaac: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
Mike Street: Well, I actually got into the music industry when I was around 15. Around 16, me and some close associates and friends got together to form the group "Emstate" which stood for Empire State. It turned out to be more than a group; it was more like a family. We did everything together. We threw community events to give back to the community and show that hip hop wasn't only about negativity. We represented what every other hip hop group locally wanted to be. Eventually, I was able to sign my first distribution deal with INgrooves earlier this year.
Isaac: One of the reasons why I was drawn to your music is because of your style. Briefly elaborate on your background living and performing in the New York City area:
Mike Street: New York, New York... (Mike Street Laughs). Me, personally, I was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn and moved all throughout NYC and eventually Freeport, Long Island. New York has a competitive nature about it. It’s a fast paced setting and everything is so condensed that you can see so many facets of life in just 22 years of living. For example, you look at the A train, it runs through some of the richest neighborhoods in NYC and through some of the roughest hoods. So if you get into the mind of someone coming from the bottom going to work at a factory and they're getting on the same train as some low-key millionaire, you can see why the competitive nature exists. It also builds a separation from the rest, I mean like when I go out of town people say "You gotta be from NY..." or things like "Why do you walk so fast...”.
Isaac: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
Mike Street: The most rewarding thing to me is seeing someone who fully appreciates my music and gets in depth with it. My music is a representation of what goes through my mind. I think that anyone who comes to me and tells me "Yo, that joint was tough...” actually took time to delve into my world and respects Mike Street, whether it be a male or a female.
Isaac: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
Mike Street: By far, the most discouraging thing for me is when I see so many untalented artists getting into the game and making it, while, I see these talented artists struggling. Look at it like the movie business. Picture you have a movie with a multi-million dollar budget and you have a cast of amateurs who can't act, taking the spots of greats like John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. How would they feel? It's crazy...
Isaac: What does being a Hip-Hop entertainer mean to you?
Mike Street: It mean's I'm rich and I run around with a bunch of model women and goons and spit expensive champagne through the sunroof of exotic cars. (Street Laughs). No, but seriously being a hip hop entertainer means a lot to me. Recently, Hip Hop has become the number 1 selling genre in the U.S. over Rock & Roll and Pop. It's just amazing to me to know that mainstream America has accepted it. I mean we got rap in McDonald's commercials and Budweiser commercials. When you see big corporations trying to capitalize off of something, then you know it has a powerful influence in society.
Isaac: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
Mike Street: I believe music is a language that speaks to our soul. It's universal. People from all reaches of the world can listen to and feel music from other parts of the world even if it's in another language. I believe that the anticipation of the consistency and repetition of each loop in music subliminally does something to the human mind and we listen to music to combat against the frustration we get anticipating things that we wait for in life that sometimes seem so far.... I know that sounds kinda crazy. Did I lose you? (Mike Street Laughs)
Isaac: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
Mike Street: Ahhh man it's a rush... There is nothing in this world like performing in front of a live audience especially if it's a hyped crowd. To be honest, I go into a zone where I just do what I feel. Like, if you look at the Greek fest 07 performance where I jumped on the speakers. I try to do things that keep the audience on edge. Everyone was looking like they thought I was gonna fall. But yea, there were even a few times where I threw my fur coat into the crowd.
Isaac: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
Mike Street: Independent is the new wave. One of my managers was talking with the rapper Eve about that not too long ago. The "Major's" really don't want the average artist to know this but the major's are dying out which you can see if you look at the trend of the industry within the past few years. But I believe it's a more natural state for the art form anyway. Independent artists are more in control of the direction of their careers. Then again it does have it's down side too, as far as not having a major label budget, promotion and not being "in bed" with the big corporations.
Isaac: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
Mike Street: Definitely so. The Internet leveled the playing field for the indie label, major's, and all in between. Now we got any and everybody with a Myspace Music page, and they think they have something to say.
Isaac: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
Mike Street: First off, for any artist who's tuned in, you need to stay a step ahead of the curve. The Internet is marvelous. However, it's the tool of the day; pretty soon there will be something else that will make the Internet look like the cassette tapes to C.D.'s. And we all remember when C.D.s came out we thought they was the shit. Now everything has gon' digital. All artists have to be able to adapt to change, and that means not settling for just the Internet. Get out and grind. Besides, the Internet is already flooded with competition. It's not as easy to stand out.
Isaac: What kind of recording software do you use?
Mike Street: We use Protools. But we're thinking of switching over to Logic. I heard some good things about it.
Isaac: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
Mike Street: Many artists would probably say another artist rapper or singer, but I would love to work with Quincy Jones. He is theoretical like me. I think I could learn a lot from working with him.
Isaac: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
Mike Street: I would love for people to remember my work and for me to leave a mark in history for my time. If people love my music 20 years after I stop doing music, then that would mean something to me. Hopefully, people can interpret who I am through my work and I can help others.
Isaac: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008/2009?
Mike Street: Well, it's all up hill from here. I'm about to get back in the studio with the team and knock down some new material. I got some tricks up my sleeve I ain’t gonna tell yet.
Isaac: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
Mike Street: Shout to the whole Emstate, Touche, Ace, Biggz, The R&B Goon- Kvon Pradaz, Eaze Money, D-Greezy, High Society Dropouts, Big K, S.Banga, Planet Urban Australia, StarFM, Dj Scoota, Dj Flatline, my photographer Pedro, my jeweler Gabby, Premiere Productions, Tearz, Trimz Barbershop. Nassau County, my mom and pop, and everyone showing me love in France, Europe and the UK, ya’ll know who ya’ll are. I love ya'll.
Isaac: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
Mike Street: Like I said, I just signed with INgrooves, the debut album "The Man & The Dream" is everywhere digitally. It's all over the Internet so people can download it. Emstate will be hitting the studio to release the first official group album. Also, look for my second album coming late 08 early 09.
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
Mike Street: Yeah, thanks to you Isaac, and Junior's Cave Internet Magazine for having me, I appreciate it, over & out.
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