Mr. Mike Interview
By Black Dog Bone
From Murder Dog Vol. 6 #4
Why did you leave Suave House?
At the time of my departure my godfather had just passed away. I was going through some things outside of the music that were more important to me at the time. I just felt like I had to really do what I had to do to better myself for times like these. I was kinda in between a rock and a hard spot. But it wasn't any one thing in particular or the label, it was just a move to make things better for myself.
People always talk about your solo album, Wicked Wayz, and the South Circle album you did, Anotha Day Anotha Balla. Then you kind of disappeared.
Yeah, but I'm glad I did what I did. I feel a lot more comfortable today than I did before. I came in on my own without anything and I left on my own without anything.
How did you come into Suave in the first place?
Right off the streets with a demo tape. From there we agreed to work together. I believe it was 1993.
Before you came to Suave what were you doing?
I had been puttin it down a long time before that. I was in a group called Next To Kin. I did some other things on my own. I had my own group way back in '91 called Black Cause. I did a bunch of stuff, but Suave was the first label to put me out.
What part of Houston are you from?
I moved there in '91 from Corpus Cristi. I was goin to school there at a school called North Shore over on the Northeast side. I quit school and I moved away from Houston, then I went back in '93, which was when I got with Suave.
We get so much mail at Murder Dog, readers asking what happened to Mr. Mike. People just love your first album.
It was a strange situation. I really appreciate the support. I got a lotta love for Murder Dog. Soon as I got the word that I was gonna do an interview with Murder Dog it reminded me of doin the interview with you before at Pen & Pixel.
Are you in Houston now?
No I'm not in Houston. I'm on the island close to Corpus Cristi.
How was it growing up in Corpus Cristi?
I didn't grow up in Corpus Cristi. I grew up all over the place. My family was always movin around. My mom's mom passed when I was really young. It was 15 kids and she had to take 6 or 7 of them. They used to live in Pennsylvania, and her great grandmother stayed in Virginia. So we were goin back and forth a lot.
After you did the South Circle album, were you planning to do another group album or just work solo?
The South Circle album, the majority of the ideas and concepts was me anyway, so I just went ahead and pursued doin my solo.
When you left Suave did you have any particular plans?
At the time I just put the music second. I put other things first. I had to deal with some other things first. I had to put everything in perspective, once the family was tight I just went to grind it out, got some equipment. For the last two years I've been committed to the dungeon, where my equipment is set up. I've learned how to do my production. Actually I produced 4 or 5 songs off my album. My brother's garage, that's where the dungeon was at, stayed in there, lost weight, whatever, but I had to grind it out. I was in there just like an old stray wild dog.
You were in Houston?
No, my brother is from Pittsburgh. That's where I went. I made a trip out there, then I moved back to Corpus.
How different is the new album from your first Mr. Mike album?
I would say definitely more growth, a bit more creative. Being in control, in a sense, of my own destiny.
Were you happy to leave Suave House?
It was a moment of joy, but then it was a moment of sadness too. It was a case of I wish things coulda been better but they weren't, so I had to do what was best for me.
When you were making this album were you trying to make it like your other albums or make it different?
I wasn't really concentrating on what the outcome of the album would be. I just did what I always did and that is put down whatever I feel. Ever since I was young, before I was signed to any label, I always done what I felt. This album was just a feelin, at the time I did the album that's what I was feelin. This album was built on the experience and the growth and the things that I've been through.
When you came out with your first album the South was just about to happen. A lot of things have happened for the South since then.
I really don't keep in touch with what's goin on. I just focus on my vision and my team and my family. Hopefully with that vision and the uniqueness of the whole thing, maybe we can set some trends.
Because you're not part of everything that's going on, your music will be unique and have its own identity.
That's it, it'll have its own identity, but it's not for me to identify. All I can do is give what's inside of me to give. Sometimes when you wake up in the morning you look different than you did when you went to sleep at night. It's just a whole variety of different feels at different times, that's all it is.
How did you end up signing with Priority?
Someone at Priority heard that I had left Suave and contacted my lawyer and that company being a company that I really respect in this music game, I took it in my hands to make it happen.
Where did you record the album?
I recorded in Los Angeles and Texas.
Other than you, who did the production on the album?
Battlecat and Dada, a kid named Fred Weck. Mike B. I did some things with Mack 10 and Ras Kass.
After you left Suave did you think you'd get signed again?
I really didn't care. So many guys in Rap, that's all they have to look forward to and to look back to. That's why the majority of us settle for whatever. It was different with me cause I didn't have a problem with workin a few jobs, go stock groceries, whatever, do what I had to do to maintain till I got signed again. If I wouldn't have been signed today I'd probably be hustlin in the streets or something.
But you do really care about your music, right?
Definitely. Don't get me wrong. I didn't care if I ever got signed again, but I love the music. It's a difference between the music and the record company. I love my music even if it's just me sittin in the garage makin tapes for my family.
Are you happy with the way this album came out?
Very happy. It's more focused, more in control. Who knows what my next album will sound like, it might be a totally different sound.
I just do what I feel, do the best I can and when it come out hopefully we can bang the hell out that shit.
