Mike B

Wenn es um Texas-Rap geht, dann kommt man um Mike B einfach nicht herum – der Mann ist eine wahre Koryphäe! Er hat das Trinity Garden Cartel von Anfang an mit Beats versorgt, von 20-2-Life bis Warren B zig Artists aus dem Lone Star State mit feinen Produktionen ausgestattet und führt auch Kollaborationen mit Schwergewichten wie Master P, Mike Jones, E-40 oder Shoestring in der langen Diskographie. Jetzt bringt er die ugrap.de-Leserschaft auf den neusten Stand.

 

Hurricaine Rita recently crossed Houston – what happened, how did you experience the storm?

Hurricaine Rita hit indeed but on my side on town, which is the north side, it did very little damage. It was just a lot of strong winds. With everyone trying to get out of Houston, and Galveston there were major traffic jams and gas shortages.

How long have you been in the rap/hip hop industry and how did you start?

It is going on my 15th year. And I started out as a neighborhood DJ. I listened to the TSU college radio station here in Houston on Saturday mornings, wondering how they did what they do, and thats inspired me to pursue a career in the entertainment field.

How is the Houston rap scene?

The Houston rap scene, from where I sit, is over populated with all types of groups (seasoned and unseasoned). This doesn’t mean that they aren’t good but it means that the dues are not paid just yet in some cases. It think the days of the rap industry has changed from “the dollar bill making it happen for you” to “the relationships that you have established making it happen for you”. To establish a relationship means that you either have something that someone needs or wants from you. To have something that someone needs or wants sometimes takes time for that skill or craft to be developed within that person or company. I guess you can call this a small definition of paying dues.

How is working with the T.G.C.?

Unbelievably every song and every album is a different work of art for that particular period of time for all members of the group. It was a wonderful experience for me! With life changing right before ours eyes, the day-to-day-grind in the studio was sometimes hard. Even with rap music changing daily we all felt like we were constantly trying to play catch up with everyone else, for example: when we first put out our first album “The Ghetto My Good”, that was the first time ever that we were in a big studio facility and the subject of mix-down was clearly over my head. Instant I had to gather my thoughts and walk in a room with the perception of knowing what I was doing button by button and fader by fader.

 

Which album and song is the best to you and why?

The album “I’d Rather Be Judged By 12 Than Carried by 6″ and the title song itself. The particular album got the most radio play out of all albums under Cartel Records. It was a period of time where everybody in one way or another was kinda going through something. Life problems, family problems, whatever the problem was, we all released or exhaled when we got into the studio.

Where has the Cartel been within the last few years?

Well, noone was really worried about a Cartel Project until now. Most of the other members (Big Sub 0, 380 Dat Lady, X-Mann, Herb Man) were doing there own thing.

What’s the deal with the single members? Is everybody still in the game, which albums are coming up?

Dee is locked up right now, soon to get out. 380 Dat Lady is in Atlanta working on her new project “The Day in the Life Vol.2″. Da Herb Man is currently working on his second solo under “A1 Records”. I have no title on the project just yet. X-mann is currently doing his own thang with a new release. He has good features on his album so as :Bun B, K Rino, OG Style, and C-Mo Stylz

What about your latest projects?

I have my own group, SEMO STYLZ, in which I have been working with for about 5 years. I will probably complete their album the early part 2006. Other than that on a major label stand point; Big Mike formally of the Ghetto Boys, and speaking of the Ghetto Boys, I am currently working with Willie D. Also another Trinity Garden Cartel album is in the makings with a bonus DVD with the makings of the album and brief documentary of trinity garden. Life is Good!

Are you going to do any solo projects?

Yes, I am carefully putting a real “Mike B. Presents” album out for mid 2006 or 3rd quarter of 2006. At one point everyone seemed like they wanted to get a Mike B track and put on the front of their cd cover MIKE B PRESENTS. It does not work like that because it didn’t have my heart in it, but my fans will know when I get this one ready trust me.

Are you content with the promotion you get in Houston?

When we, the TGC, were getting a lot of airplay back in the day, that was a great feeling, to produce a track and weeks later hear it on the radio with seemingly no effort at all.

 

What about the best strategies on creating songs for an album?

A lot of artist that I have seen in my day have a very hard time reaching that song number 12 or 13 in the journey of pre-production. The one thing I can say about Dee of Trinity Garden, “he was definitely a workaholic”. Sometimes it gets hard to focus on hot heat and getting thing done. Of-course you want things to get done, but you also want good material. Good engineers, beats, concepts, time, finances, work ethics, and persistence all play big part of your journey of making it over that mountain of songs and in turn this is what makes a good project.

What about your family’s feelings on you being in the rap biz?

My family has always been behind me 100%. I guess it was because the music, kept a young, black, curious, little gentleman like me out of trouble and constant with creating product that could be sold.

What artists did you come up listening to?

Curtis Blow, Schoolly Dee, Just Ice, Mantronics, Kraftworks and The Sugarhill Gang.

If you could work with any artist, who would that be?

Man! If I could put together a colabo with Isaac Hayes, Angie Stone and Eric B. that would just be the bomb!

How can major artists get in touch with you?

Hit me up on this email mmikebee2000@aol.com. I make sure I respond to every email I get.

It’s about time to drop some shoutouts…

My shoutouts have to go to Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, Crazy C, Dj Freestyle, Big Chief of Rap-A-Lot, Big Mike who always keeps it real, Gt, Darrel Scott, Lester Sir Pace, Phillip and Anthony Harvey who showed me how to work Technic 1200 turntables back in the day. My last shoutout goes to Dee (Straight Texas Hoodlum) and James Foster – the CEO’s of Cartel Records who gave me my chance to get deep in the heart of the music production game.