Shalom. Praise be to God, for he is definitely moving my vision forward and seemingly preparing me to impact his people around the world. My recent trip to New York was evidence that hard work does indeed pay off and prayer works. My personal manager and I were very conscious to pray each day before we set out to handle the days business and we also made sure to give thanks for the daily blessings and good people that were set in our path. If I told you how the MTV interview came about, you probably wouldn't believe me. I will have a full blog post chronicling my trip up on mikkeyahalsted.com really soon. In the meantime enjoy the first part of the MTV mix-tape daily interview, that the up and coming journalist, Steven Roberts did. There were so many other amazing aspects of the trip, that will probably come out in due time. I met some great people while there including Big E, the team at Crack Dealer radio, Tony Touch (cousin Touch, Alex), Brand Nubian, A.G., Blaze Bla, The Rock Smith team (Nate, Eric X2), I Hip-Hop.com team (Sam), Tory (Digiwaxx), all of the artists on Leaders Of The New Cool- NYC, Ski Beatz, Creative Control fam (Coodey), MTV fam (Steve, Sway). Shouts to my people that held me down in NYC and those not present, but who were sending love from all over (Drewski, J4, Zell, Rico, Theo, BJ, Truck North, Coach K, NO ID, wifey, Alex). Peep this interview and stay in tune with your #1 guy from the Chi.- MH "Those That Know...Know"
If you missed the producer battle I held during the mix-tape release party I had for "The Best You nEver Heard", then you missed something special. There are so many really good producers in Chicago that need the opportunity and an outlet to showcase their talents. My guys at 4Management and MTM group came up with a concept to extend the producer battle and make it a monthly event called "Mikkey Halsted Presents: Fresh Produce". It was great to see all of the up and coming producers play some great tracks and to have the audience receive them so well. My performance later that evening wasn't too shabby either :) Shouts out to the boy C-Sick, who won the battle with some extreme heat.
Check the details below and get your crew ready for The Fresh Produce Producer Battle, as always each rounds winner is judged by crowd response.
The event will be hosted by: NoTryDo SINCERE and Que Billah. There will be a special segment with The Legendary Traxster. Music by DJ Toure and DJ Broadwaystreetz
Registration: To be considered to battle send your phone number and 2 tracks to
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. Make the subject of your e-mail "Producer Battle Entry". The first 25 producers to submit 2 dope tracks and buy their (12) $5 crew tickets will be entered into the battle. You will be contacted to make arrangements on how to pick up your tickets and given further instructions. **maximum 20 crew tickets per producer.
Prizes: The winner will receive a prize pack including CASH, a hard drive, blank CD's, 2 hours of studio time from Sound Scape studios and more....
Contact:
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Venue: Reggie's Rock Club 2105 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60616
FORMAT
- Producers will play 1 track per round, the winner (based on audience response) will advance to the next round. In the event of a tie producers will play a 2nd track.
- Bring at least 10 tracks on a usb flash drive preferred or a CD with your name on it if you don't have a spare drive on hand.
There will be opportunities for MC's to participate during the beat battle and producers will be selected for a chance to participate on the Fresh Produce mix-tape, which will be distributed monthly.
The wait is finally over. My new mix-tape is out. I am especially proud of this project, because The UnCrowned City team and I really put alot of work into this project over several months without even knowing exactly how the songs would be used. Alot of the songs on this project were records I felt strongly about, but didn't fit my upcoming indy release "The Darkroom" or my master piece"The Photo Album". However, many of the leftover songs that made the mix-tape are some outstanding records and are worthy of being listened to with a real ear, unlike the way many people just skim over artists' mix-tapes. If you are a long time follower of my music then you know that I don't really waste words and the large majority of what I say has profound meaning. Sometimes I feel my songs go over peoples heads or people aren't listening hard enough to truly grasp the meaning. If you've been to my live shows then you know on certain songs I usually drop the music and perform a meaningful verse acapella so that people can truly listen and digest the words. I truly believe that words have power; the power to change, heal, unite, kill and most of all inspire.
I hope you enjoy "The Best You nEver Heard", as it was truly a labor of love and contains many of my songs that I am most proud of. Many of these records came out in recent months, some are out my vaults, and others I am unleashing for the 1st time. Thank you for your support.
Please download the project and leave your feed back on the tape in the comment section.
Here is some footage of my performance, at the release party, that the Music Dealers shot Enjoy.
The wait is over fam. I am finally ready to unleash my first mix-tape since 2008..... Wow I can't believe it has been that long. Don't think Halsted is sliipping though, I dropped alot of new music in 2009 and I have already dropped about 3 records in 2010. I dropped so many dope records in 2009 that many of my people that hit me on fb and twitter are always surprised when they come across a gem that they may have missed. The only person that I think may have actually heard EVERY record I dropped last year was my man Andrew Barber at Fake Shore Drive . My guy Drewski is truly a music lover and stays current on everything that Chicago artist have going on. In 2009 I have done a few "Closed Session" projects with Ruby Hornet, collaborated with artists like Rhymefest, Juice, Twone Gabz, Marvo, Skooda Chose, Big Pooh, Truck North, Kamilah Sumner, Mic Terror, Naledge, Scheme, Sly Polaroid, Freddie Gibbs (GI) and most recently Khari Lemuel and Ari for a Haiti benefit project with DJ Booth.
I decided to title my new mix-tape "The Best You nEver Heard", because I feel that so many people are still sleeping. I read one blog where a guy commented that he was surprised that my music was good and that he had never listened because the name "Mikkey" sounded like a tight pants wearing hipster. I really feel that this mix-tape will showcase all of the work I have been putting in and give new people the opportunity to listen to a full body of work. DJ Toure Stylz is mixing the project and he has it sounding amazing. The homey DJ Pappa Smirf has been inst instrumental in providing input along the way.
The release party for "The Best You nEver Heard" is going to be incredible. Many of the artist I named above that I collaborated with will be in the building to celebrate with me. We will also have a producer battle for all of the dope up and coming producers in the city and a showcase by several of my favorite producers in the city. I feel that it is important to highlight the guys that have been really putting in work and provide a forum for the up and coming artists and producers. Below are the rules and the process if you would like to enter the Producer Battle.
Rule #1 DON'T BE WACK. If you know you're tracks aren't ready don't take a slot from a guy who has been honing his craft and is ready for an opportunity.
Rule #2 Send 2 tracks (mp3's only) to
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along with your name and phone number. The subject of your e-mail should be "Producer Battle entry". All potential contestants are required to be at the venue no later than 9:45. All entry's must be in by 2pm on 2/10 for consideration. The event host will call out the names of the 16 contestants, if someone is not there an alternate will be called. If you are an MC or singer you are encouraged to be there early as well. Rappers and singers might get called up to participate during the beat battle in an effort to judge flowability.
Rule #3 Bring a CD with at least 8 tracks on it along with your name clearly written
- There will be 16 slots and 4 rounds of competition.
- Contestants will be judged from crowd reaction. It is advised that you bring out some people that know you are HOT, have loud voices and clap LOUDDD!!
- The winner will receive the following: A write up on Fake Shore Drive, Opportunity at being a closed session producer for a Ruby Hornet session, A collaboration with Mikkey Halsted, 4 free hours of studio time and a $25 gift card to a Chicago boutique + more.
THE EVENT IS 18+ COME OUT AND ENJOY THE SHOW AND GET A FREE COPY OF THE MIX-TAPE WITH YOUR ENTRY.
Shout out to all of my sponsors and partners: Ruby Hornet, 4Management, DJbooth.net, DJ Moon Dawg, Dave Jeff (PHLI), LDRS, Fake Shore Drive, Sound Scape Studios, Sole Mates/Sir & Madam clothing, DJ Moe, DJ Toure Stylz, Toussaint Werner, Big Wiz, Sound Scape Studios.
Introduced to Cash Money Records by Kanye. Did the intro to Juvenille’s album, "Project English". He has been featured on over 14 released albums. Inspired lLil Wayne and many other rappers. Mikkey has been on 106 & Park 3 times.
