Wealthy Tupica
This yr’s top-spot winner within the Hip-Hop Artist class is Michael Austin, higher identified within the Lansing music scene as MikeyyAustin.
Recognized for his soulful hip-hop tracks powered by stay instrumentation, Austin, 26, is a various emcee, bandleader and a lot extra. Austin works full time on the Early Childhood Funding Corp. as an fairness and management guide. He co-hosts 517 Juneteenth Pageant and serves on REO City’s board of administrators and All the Above’s Occasion Planning Committee. Plus, he runs Ourspace (517), a brand new arts group, whereas juggling being a full-time pupil. Whew! Right here’s what the busy entrepreneur and artist needed to say about his previous, current and shiny future.
Your final LP was “Greenhouse” again in 2020. What’s the story behind it?
MikeyyAustin: “Greenhouse” was my COVID child. As we had been all locked at house, and many individuals took up plant care, I used to be no exception. My new-found love for crops met my love for music within the launch of a mellow, lo-fi and soul hip-hop album — written, recorded and engineered from the consolation of my room.
Since its launch, I’ve been in creation, discovery and constructing mode. I’m creating new our bodies of labor, discovering new sounds in my toolbox of artistry and constructing new platforms and alternatives for myself and different native and regional artists. I’m additionally gearing as much as launch my first R&B joint EP in January 2023.
I’m finalizing my full-length album, “The Dawn Album.” It’s set to launch on Earth Day. This mission is produced totally by TheyCallMeHeat (DeMarnio Stanley) and Jurell Barnes. I recorded nearly all of it whereas residing in Puerto Rico from January of this yr to Might. I’m so excited to launch an album that seems like a chunk of the solar.
At what age did you begin performing music?
I grew up as a church musician, taking part in piano and guitar and singing within the choir. As a younger youngster, perhaps 5 or 6, I used to be rapping with my brother as “Dem Austin Boys.” My mother would write our raps, and we’d carry out at church occasions, vacation companies and youth actions. She nonetheless has the tapes someplace should you ask her (laughs).
In the end, these influences by no means go away. All creation mirrors inspiration, so when individuals hear my music, they typically notice its “soulful sound.” A whole lot of these sounds, beat choices, chords and stay instrumentation come from my expertise in church.
What about your highschool influences?
In highschool, I heard a track that modified my life without end. “Mellow My Man,” by The Roots, was the primary time I heard stay instrumentation, soul and jazz meet boom-bap. I fell in love. My purpose from there was to create a soulful expertise and implement stay music at any time when I may. Quick ahead to right this moment, and I’m the bandleader of the Soulcial Membership.
I’ve at all times had the stay instrumentation component, however since 2019, I’d say I actually discovered my voice as an artist.
For extra info, go to mikeyyaustinmusic.com.
