24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
Myke Charles: Myke Charles. CO’s Emcee…MC. Mile High native. Fire spitter and crooner. First and foremost I am a solo artist. I am also in a professional A Cappella group known by the name of Urban Method. You may have seen us on NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011. I also rap/sing in a band. I’m about this life.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history, how you got into the game and what inspired you?
Myke Charles:I spent my childhood in Aurora. I started rapping mostly because I was bored in class. I was advanced as a kid and my teachers couldn’t hold my attention. I was also into singing more than rapping at first. I started out in choir and loved it. I think Salt N Pepa and Bone Thugs N Harmony were the first groups to really inspire me as a rapper. As far as singing, I was obsessed with Usher’s first album.
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Myke Charles: Growing up I was pretty out of touch with my city’s Hip-Hop scene. In 9th grade I learned about the scene in Aurora. I started rapping with some cats that could freestyle and that shit blew my mind. I didn’t learn how to do that until 10th grade but by then I had moved away from Aurora. I didn’t really start to experience that part of the city until I was in college. I was in Boulder at CU but I would take the bus downtown just to hear the city’s heartbeat. When I caught wind of a couple emcee battles at a tattoo shop and decided
to participate. I met a lot of heads through that. That’s how I got into the local scene.
24: What makes you unique as an artist and different from other rappers out now?
Myke Charles: Honestly, I’m different and unique because I’m me. I have different life experiences and I write differently than other artists. I have a background in choir and a cappella music and coming from Colorado has molded me into a different type of rapper than the typical. I’m honest in my music. Sometimes brutally honest. It leaves me vulnerable but the people connect to it. I believe I am well-rounded. I can sing a hook like “Suffer” but then spit a fire freestyle like “Live It More”.
24: Tell us about what you are working on.
Myke Charles: I just dropped my 2nd mixtape, “Flight Plan.” It’s available on Datpiff for free download. Right now I’m working on promoting the tape and trying to expand my fan base. Easy right? Shitttttt. I also have an EP in the works. I just finished doing a track with Sean Brown (Tha Alumni) which will likely be the first single. Check for that soon.
24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Myke Charles: I’ve started working with a couple of different cats who are putting out some banging material. The main producer I’m rocking with right now is named Curtis Lamonz. He’s a very talented dude out of South Carolina. He produced my record “Time to Kill” that features Emilio Rojas. Let’s see who else…Crazy T, Kajmir Royale, GUNFNGR, Alex Kresovich. Just a couple up and coming cats. I’d love to work with 40, Boi-1da, and Hit Boy in the future.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you’ve been getting from people on material you’ve released?
Myke Charles: Yessir. Getting a lot of good feedback on the Flight Plan mixtape. Right now we are just grinding and trying to get it to as many ears as possible. So far everyone has positive things to say though. I’m proud of this one.
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?
Myke Charles: Work, work, work, work. I think we have to be relentless in our quest and continue to stay relevant by working hard and steadily building. Right now that includes pushing this tape as hard as possible for as long as necessary, dropping these videos, collaborating with as many artists as possible, connecting with the fans, and constantly creating. It takes time but we will not give up. I think we will get to where we want to be.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Myke Charles: Honestly, I feel pretty good about it. I’m not an old school cat preaching about the so called golden age of Hip-Hop. I’m a new school artist and there are some rappers that are currently doing some amazing work. There will always be garbage in any art form. It is sad that as a society we allow some garbage to get so popular. I guess that’s a necessary evil of the art.
24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?
Myke Charles: What else is there besides music? Naw I’m playing. I have a civil engineering degree so outside of the music I try to stay somewhat up to speed in the development of my engineering career.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013? How do you plan to separate yourself from other artists out today to get the recognition you feel like you deserve?
Myke Charles: This year we are focused on expansion. We now have a solid product that we can push and propel us on the scene. So hopefully by the end of the year my fan base will have grown considerably. We also plan to get around the country a little bit, at least on the west side and do a small tour. I think my humility, and stage presence will separate me plenty. I try to connect with every single fan. If you contact me you will hear back from me. As far as live performance goes, the stage is my home. If you see me live, I will not disappoint.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Myke Charles: Twitter (@MykeCharles) and Facebook (MykeCharles1) is always a good way to get at me. Although I will admit that I don’t actually like social media so sometimes I’ll let days go by without checking it. I’m apologizing in advance.
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop.com with this exclusive interview. Do you have any last words for your present or future fans?
Myke Charles: Definitely. Look for me in the sky.
Download the ‘Flight Plan’ Mixtape
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