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360SoundCheck listening party: Mike & Ike
In 2006, the hip-hop duo Mike & Ike seemed to slip onto the ATX scene under the radar then slowly rise on of a wave of steadily building buzz. Featuring the combined talents of UT graduates emcee Mic Flow (Michael Richardson) and emcee/producer Alpha 2020 aka Ike (John Isaac Ramos), the group’s debut album “Introducing Mike & Ike” circulated in Austin’s indie hip-hop underground and beyond, receiving high acclaim for its lush, soulful production and consistently intelligent rhymes. Meanwhile, Mike & Ike themselves began storming stages all over town, becoming regular fixtures at the Whisky Bar’s hip-hop sessions and landing a coveted opening spot for hip-hop legend Rakim at Emo’s.
“Introducing Mike and Ike” is a solid offering and a breath of fresh air for those of us who miss the late ’80s/early ’90s, Native Tongues era of hip-hop. Rejecting the gangsta aspirations that plague so much of today’s commercial scene, the entire album resonates with a deep and personal love of true-school hip-hop culture. It’s intelligent, politically savvy music that never ceases to inspire a head bob.
360SoundCheck is pleased to present a full-album listening party of “Introducing Mike & Ike.” To round out the occasion, we hit up the artists themselves for a little insight on the work.
Almost Urban: Give me three adjectives to describe “Introducing Mike & Ike.”
Mike: Honest, sharp, soulful.
Ike: Soulful, honest, intelligent.
What’s on your mind at the beginning of 2007?
Mike: Staying focused. Staying dedicated to my goals.
Ike: Sacrifice and work.
On the track “Real Talk,” you call out “fake cats who are offending you.” Can you name names?
Mike: I wasn’t talking about anyone specifically. I believe many people in the industry, at all levels (underground, mainstream, CEOs, promoters, etc.) and in all regions, are being dishonest to others and themselves. “Real Talk” attempts to shed some light on that dishonesty by honestly telling y’all how I feel.
On the track “Time Traveler,” you talk about taking hip-hop’s sound back in time. What’s your prognosis on hip-hop today? Is it really dead?
Ike: Hip-hop is well and alive … The average person just isn’t exposed to enough of a variety, unfortunately.
Name three classic albums you draw influence from.
Mike: “Midnight Marauders” - A Tribe Called Quest, “Moment of Truth” - Gang Starr, and “Things Fall Apart” - The Roots
Ike: “The Low End Theory” - A Tribe Called Quest , “Reasonable Doubt” - Jay-Z, “The Main Ingredient” - Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth
When you’re not rocking the mike, where in Austin do you get your groove on?
Mike: We’ve been doing shows at Whisky Bar recently and I like the vibe they got over there. Also, I went to UT and I’m from Houston, so anywhere I can watch a UT or a Houston Rockets game while having a beer is cool with me.
Ike: I like to kick it at Whisky Bar, Plush, Red Fez or wherever my man DJ Diamond Tip is spinning.
What’s up next for Mike and Ike?
Ike: We are still promoting, selling and doing shows off the album. I also sent a batch of new beats to Mike recently, so you can definitely start expecting new material from Mike and Ike.
Mike: We’re gonna stay on our grind and try to take it to the next level. We started working on the next Mike & Ike album. We’re gonna continue doing shows with DJ Diamond Tip, and also with the band In the Pocket.
Any shout-outs?
Ike: The list is too long, but I definitely have to shout out the immediate family, DJ Diamond Tip, Poise, Global, Checho, The Projeckt, Abe, Chopsteak and In The Pocket. I also have to give a shout-out to everyone out there in the hip-hop community, whether they are supporting, doing or living it.
Mike: I gotta give a shout-out to my family, my homies at UTMB in Galveston, my people in Houston and Austin, the Soul2020 crew, In the Pocket, and everybody that has supported the music. We appreciate y’all, for real. Peace!
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: SoundCheck
Comments
By Crew54
January 24, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Man, Mike and Ike definitely are one of our favorite artist in this scene. Just going to their shows and seeing the energy they possess, plus the skill. Nuff respect. Good interview.
By Crew54
January 24, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Mike and Ike are more than deserving of the recognition, they bring a stage show, energy, and lyrical skill that we feel is lacking in a lot of cats.
By Fabulous
January 24, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
These eMCees have amazing talent. Solid album filled with truth. If you like b-boy hiphop that grooves and vibes with a message, I recommend catching a Mike & Ike show. Thanks for existing in 2007.